Volume 12, Issue 11 Friday, March 4, 2011

The Black Widow

spins her web

Guantanamo

Generations

Runners get muddy 

for the ball

A detainee reads a book in the outdoor recreation 

area of Camp Six at Joint Task Force Guantanamo, 

Feb. 24. — photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class 

Jordan Miller.

Professional pool player Jeanette Lee, aka The 

Black Widow, performs a trick shot for fans at the 

Windjammer Saturday night. Lee spent three days 

on Guantanamo Bay playing against, performing, 

coaching and getting to know Troopers. — photo by 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross.

Around the

JTF

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bear (WMEC-901) pulls into 

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to take on fuel 

and stores, March 2. — photo by Mass Communications 

Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins.
The Wire | Page 2

Trooper to Trooper

featuring

The WIRE is the official news magazine of Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo. It is produced by the JTF Public Affairs Office to 

inform and educate the Troopers of JTF Guantanamo through 

news, features, command guidance, sports and entertainment. 

The WIRE seeks to provide maximum disclosure with minimum 

delay with regard to security, accuracy, propriety and policy. 

This DoD news magazine is an authorized publication for the 

members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The WIRE 

are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. 

Government, the Department of Defense, or Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo. It is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency 

Document Services with a circulation of 1,000.

Trooper to Trooper |

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson

Command Master Chief

Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Porrett

Office of Public Affairs Director

Navy Cmdr. Tamsen Reese: 9928

Deputy Director

Air Force Lt. Col. Don Langley: 9927

Operations Officer

CW2 Raymond Chapman: 3649

Senior Enlisted Leader

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class 

Sally Hendricks: 3649

 

The Wire

Executive Editor

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel: 3499

Assistant Editor

Spc. Meredith Vincent: 3651

Photojournalists:

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Spc. Kelly Gary

Contact us

Editor’s Desk: 3499

From the continental United States

Commercial: 011-53-99-3499

DSN: 660-3499

E-mail: thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Online: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

BACK COVER: Troopers participate in a volleyball game at the newly restored Tierra Kay Housing volleyball court, Feb. 26. Troopers 

broke in the volleyball court after a recent restoration that was completed by volunteer servicemembers. – photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

COVER: Army Staff Sgt. Tim Brooks places a flower on the grave of his great-grandmother Antonia Negron Valle, Feb. 15, at the 

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cemetery. – photo by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin M. Cossel

Senior enlisted leader, MSST Miami

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Wendell Burnette

When we are asked about our core values, 

most of us respond with our service’s respective 

key words and phrases. All the services refer 

to honor and/or integrity and set standards 

for conduct. However, regardless of which 

service you are a member, it all boils down to 

duty. Our duty is our contractual obligation 

to fulfill our commitments, do our jobs, 

discharge our responsibilities and perform 

our assigned tasks and functions. It is within 

this devotion to duty that we are compelled to 

live up to all those other core values. 

It is not enough to show up to work each 

day and collect a paycheck. We must be 

willing to seek out new responsibilities, put 

forth effort to achieve our organization’s goals 

and be willing to accept accountability for our 

actions. Everyone needs to strive to learn and 

improve. We must endeavor to improve the 

operational readiness of our equipment and 

our fellow servicemembers. 

Every service member has an obligation to 

improve every duty station he or she serves at. 

The worst thing anyone can ever say to me is 

“well that’s the way we’ve always done it.” Just 

because it has always been done wrong, does 

not miraculously make it right. It is our duty 

to improve, streamline and make safer every 

work area to which we are assigned. The only 

time you truly cannot do anything, is when 

you do not try.

| news you can use The Wire | Page 3

Supreme Court: Anti-gay funeral picketers allowed 

Voice of America News Service

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that 

a grieving father’s pain over mocking protests 

at his Marine son’s funeral must yield to First 

Amendment protections for free speech. All but 

one justice sided with a fundamentalist church that 

has stirred outrage with raucous demonstrations 

contending God is punishing the military for the 

nation’s tolerance of homosexuality.

The 8-1 decision in favor of the Westboro 

Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., was the latest in 

a line of court rulings that, as Chief Justice John 

Roberts said in his opinion for the court, protects 

“even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure 

that we do not stifle public debate.”

The decision ended a lawsuit by Albert Snyder, 

who sued church members for the emotional pain 

they caused by showing up at his son Matthew’s 

funeral. As they have at hundreds of other 

funerals, the Westboro members held signs with 

provocative messages, including “Thank God for 

dead soldiers,” and “You’re Going to Hell.”

Justice Samuel Alito, the lone dissenter, said 

Snyder wanted only to “bury his son in peace.” 

Instead, Alito said, the protesters “brutally 

attacked” Matthew Snyder to attract public 

attention. “Our profound national commitment 

to free and open debate is not a license for the 

vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case,” 

he said.

The ruling, though, was in line with many 

earlier court decisions that said the First 

Amendment exists to protect robust debate on 

public issues and free expression, no matter how 

distasteful. A year ago, the justices struck down a 

federal ban on videos that show graphic violence 

against animals. 

What might have made this case different 

was that the Snyders are not celebrities or public 

officials but private citizens. Both Roberts and 

Alito agreed that the Snyders were the innocent 

victims of the long-running campaign by the 

church’s pastor, the Rev. Fred Phelps, and his 

family members who make up most of the 

Westboro Baptist Church. Roberts said there was 

no doubt the protesters added to Albert Snyder’s 

“already incalculable grief.”

But Roberts said the frequency of the protests 

- and the church’s practice of demonstrating 

against Catholics, Jews and many other groups - 

is an indication that Phelps and his flock were not 

mounting a personal attack against Snyder but 

expressing deeply held views on public topics.

Indeed, Matthew Snyder was not gay. But 

“Westboro believes that God is killing American 

soldiers as punishment for the nation’s sinful 

policies,” Roberts said.

“Speech is powerful. It can stir people to 

action, move them to tears of both joy and 

sorrow, and - as it did here - inflict great pain. On 

the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain 

by punishing the speaker,” Roberts said.

Snyder’s reaction, at a news conference in 

York, Pa.: “My first thought was, eight justices 

don’t have the common sense God gave a goat.” 

He added, “We found out today we can no longer 

bury our dead in this country with dignity.”

He said it was possible he would have to pay 

the Phelpses around $100,000, which they are 

seeking in legal fees, since he lost the lawsuit. 

The money would, in effect, finance more of the 

same activity he fought against, Snyder said.

Margie Phelps, a daughter of the minister 

and a lawyer who argued the case at the Supreme 

Court, said she expected the outcome. “The only 

surprise is that Justice Alito did not feel compelled 

to follow his oath,” Phelps said. “We read the law. 

We follow the law. The only way for a different 

ruling is to shred the First Amendment.”

She also offered her church’s view of the 

Sam Phelps-Roper and other protesters representing Westboro Baptist gather outside the entrance of 

Stanford University to protest the schools production of “The Laramie Project,” a play about the 1998 

murder of gay student Matthew Shepard in Wyoming, Jan. 29. — photo by AP

A federal jury in Alabama has convicted 

a former U.S. Army officer and his wife 

of bribery, fraud and other charges for a 

scheme that netted them millions of dollars 

in illegal payments related to contracts in 

Iraq.

Eddie Pressley and his wife, Eurica, 

were found guilty on 22 charges of bribery, 

fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. 

The Justice Department says they accepted 

$2.8 million in bribes from civilian firms 

working in Iraq on U.S. Department of 

Defense contracts between 2004 and 

2006.

Husband and wife each face up to 75 

years in prison and potential fines of more 

than $5 million ($250,000 for each of 

the 22 criminal charges). They are to be 

sentenced in June.

Ex-Army Officer Convicted in Iraq 

Contract Fraud 

Voice of America News Service

decision. “I think it’s pretty self-explanatory, but 

here’s the core point: the wrath of God is pouring 

onto this land. Rather than trying to shut us up, 

use your platforms to tell this nation to mourn 

for your sins.”

The picketers obeyed police instructions and 

stood about 1,000 feet from the Catholic church 

in Westminster, Md., where the funeral took place 

in March of 2006.

The protesters drew counter-demonstrators, 

as well as media coverage and a heavy police 

presence to maintain order. The result was a 

spectacle that led to altering the route of the 

funeral procession.

Several weeks later, Albert Snyder was surfing 

the Internet for tributes to his son from other 

soldiers and strangers when he came upon 

a poem on the church’s website that assailed 

Matthew’s parents for the way they brought up 

their son.

Soon after, Snyder filed a lawsuit accusing 

the Phelpses of intentionally inflicting emotional 

distress. He won $11 million at trial, later reduced 

by a judge to $5 million.

The federal appeals court in Richmond, Va., 

threw out the verdict and said the Constitution 

shielded the church members from liability. The 

Supreme Court agreed.

Forty-eight states, 42 U.S. senators and 

veterans groups had sided with Snyder, asking the 

court to shield funerals from the Phelps family’s 

“psychological terrorism.”

Roberts described the court’s holding as 

narrow, and in a separate opinion Justice Stephen 

Breyer suggested that in other circumstances 

governments would not be “powerless to provide 

private individuals with necessary protection.”

But in this case, Breyer said, it would be wrong 

to “punish Westboro for seeking to communicate 

its views on matters of public concern.”
The Wire | Page 4 News from the Bay | 

News from the Bay

Accounting fellowship

application now open

Kayak to the Caves a 

can’t-miss opportunity

What is your favorite recreational activity?

“Softball because I like to 

feel like part of a team.”

Staff Sgt. 

Jenifer Shine

“Lifting weights because 

it’s a good way to relieve 

stress.”

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 

(Equipment) 2nd Class

Henry Andrews

Religious Programs 

Specialist 3rd Class

Jeffrey Lauber

“Camping with my family.” “Bowling, because I get to 

kill pins.”

Master Sgt.

Alfonso Smith

Morale Welfare and Recreation will bring 

back their Kayak to the Caves event Sunday 

at 9 a.m. 

“The kayak to the caves is by far our most 

popular guided trip,” said Cory Geiger, MWR 

outdoor recreation director. “It is a longer 

paddle than the other tours but is well worth 

the effort once you reach the caves and are 

able to paddle in ... and enjoy the cool breeze 

and shade.”

Participants will depart from Ferry 

Landing, go past Phillips Dive Park and on to 

the caves. Geiger said Guantanamo residents 

should not pass up this unique opportunity.

“This trip should be on everyone’s GTMO 

The application period for the FINRA 

Foundation Military Spouse Accredited 

Financial Counselor fellowship is now open.

The program provides up to 200 military 

spouses with the education necessary to 

enter the financial counseling career field. 

The fellowship covers costs associated with 

completing Accredited Financial Counselor 

training and test. 

Current or surviving spouses of any 

servicemember are eligible. Spouses who 

are current employees of the United States 

government or are employed by government 

contractors, are in the military, or who 

currently hold active securities licenses are 

not. 

Applications are accepted only online at 

www.militaryfamily.org/fellowship and must 

be received by midnight EST April 15.

Spc. Meredith Vincent

JTF GTMO not included 

in tax exclusion

CORRECTION: In the Feb. 19 edition of 

The Wire, we incorrectly stated the requirements for 

tax exclusion. The conditions for tax exclusion are 

both requirements, not either one as we incorrectly 

stated.

As the excitement of the New Year fades 

away, those who pay taxes start to count 

down the days until April 15. Luckily, the Tax 

Center on Guantanamo Bay is here to help 

Troopers with all their tax needs.

This year, there has been confusion 

concerning whether serving at Joint Task 

Force, Guantanamo Bay qualifies as a tax 

exclusion zone. Unfortunately, JTF GTMO 

does not qualify and the income Troopers’ 

earn here will be taxed.

In order to qualify as a tax exclusion 

zone, two basic criteria must be met: a 

country or area must either be designated 

as a “combat zone” by an executive order 

or as being in direct support of a combat 

zone by the Department of Defense AND 

servicemembers must qualify for hostile 

fire or imminent danger pay in that area or 

country. Although Troopers serving in JTFGTMO qualify for imminent danger pay, 

the DoD has not designated JTF-GTMO as 

being in direct support of a combat zone. 

Therefor, JTF GTMO does not qualify as a 

tax exclusion zone.

W2s distributed by Defence Finance and 

Accounting Services are correct as they are. 

Servicemembers should not file taxes based 

on the amount they feel is correct. Returns 

filed with income different from what is 

shown on the servicemember’s W-2 will be 

audited by the Internal Revenue Service.

For further questions, contact the Tax 

Center at x8117.

Spc. Meredith Vincent

bucket list,” he said. “Whether it is done on a 

tour or by themselves.”

The event is free to the community and 

all guided trips do not require a license.

For more information on the Kayak to 

the Caves, call x2345.

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Boots on the Ground

| Trooper Focus The Wire | Page 5

 see HUTS, page 19

No, your eyes are not playing 

tricks on you. You are not seeing 

things. The Southwest Asia huts 

near the Liberty Center in Camp 

America have been demolished 

and now an empty space is 

conspicuous where they once 

stood. 

At the end of January, 

Seabees assigned to Naval 

Mobile Construction Battalion28 began to tear down the small 

buildings.

Several reasons contributed 

to the removal of the huts, 

said Army Maj. Kevin 

Kenworthy, Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo Deputy Director 

of Engineering.

“The SWA huts weren’t 

insulated,” Kenworthy 

Seabees take down sea huts, make room for new Club Survivor

Story and photo by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class 

Keith Porter was looking for future federal 

job opportunities the fateful day he signed 

on the line at the recruiter’s office.

Porter, an electrician’s mate, said he 

left Oklahoma State University a year 

early to work for the Federal Aviation 

Administration. 

While there, he was inspired by the 

large number of prior coasties and other 

servicemembers to join the armed forces.

“My coworkers said their military 

experience helped them to get their jobs 

and they mentioned it would be beneficial 

to me for advancement to serve in the 

military,” Porter said.

Now, he views his future with the Coast 

Guard more permanently.

“My plan is to do 20 years and reevaluate,” said Porter. “Chances are that I 

will do 10 more after that.” 

Porter’s dedication to his job, the Coast 

Guard, and our country is noticed by his 

coworkers.

“Porter is an exceptional electrician’s 

mate,” said Coast Guard Senior Chief 

Machinery Technician Wendell Burnette, 

machinery technician senior chief. “He also 

maintains an outstanding military bearing in 

all situations.”

Burnette said Porter is the cooler mind 

to follow during times of change and his 

disposition to take things in stride helps to 

improve the overall performance of those 

around him.

When it comes to leadership, Porter is 

humble about walking the walk.

trooper focus

Coast Guard Petty Officer

 2nd Class Keith Porter

said. “They weren’t good 

for protecting equipment 

like computers, radios or 

telephones.”

They were also termiteinfested, failed engineering 

inspections and did not meet 

destructive weather protection 

standards, said Kenworthy.

“They were never put on 

any foundation,” Kenworthy 

said. “If there was to be any 

hurricanes to come through, 

they would be blown away.”

About 22 percent of the 

huts have been demolished, said 

Steelworker 1st Class Terrence 

Ryan, NMCB-28 leading petty 

officer.

In the past, the huts were 

used for unit headquarters, 

joint detention group functions, 

training and a post office, 

Kenworthy said. 

A new Club Survivor will 

be built in place of the huts, 

explained Ryan. Construction 

on the new building is expected 

to begin in early April.

“We have the building. We 

just have a few odds and ends to 

work out on the interior design,” 

Ryan said.

 see FOCUS, page 19

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 9 1/2 years

Hobbies: “twidgetting” with 

electronics and playing soccer

Pet peeves: messy people

Next goal: promotion to Petty 

Officer 1st Class

Advice to junior Troopers:

do your best in all aspects of life

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Equipment Operator 2nd Class James Owen uses 

a wheeled excavator to break down wood from a 

demolished hut at Camp America, Feb. 14.
The Wire | Page 6 | News

Black & Silver Ball celebrates African-American heritage, history

Story and photo by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins

The Black Heritage 

Organization hosted a Silver and 

Black Ball at the Windjammer Ball 

Room Feb. 26, to commemorate 

the significant contributions of 

African-Americans throughout 

the history of the United States. 

Dr. Ron Archer of Palm Beach, 

Fla. was the highlighted guest 

speaker for the evening. Among 

his many accomplishments, 

Archer served as a leadership 

consultant to General B. Bell, 

supreme commander, U.S. Army 

Europe and for the National 

Football League Players Union.

Archer’s speech touched on 

a number of topics relating to 

leadership in the 21st century, 

including the impact of the civil 

rights movement and the current 

state of the educational system 

in the United States. 

“Civil rights were essential 

to Dr. King’s message of hope 

and reconciliation,” said Archer. 

“The moral crisis for the 21st

century is the epidemic of 

educational failure in the urban 

community.” 

Black History Month reminds 

Americans of the struggles 

for freedom and liberty in the 

country and the contributions 

of black citizens in the shaping 

of American society.

“I want this occasion to 

teach and encourage AfricanAmericans to turn their pains 

into power, their wounds into 

wisdom and take everything they 

understand and learn in life as a 

down payment on their destiny,” 

Archer said prior to the speech. 

“You received grace and mercy; 

not to keep it for yourself but to 

give it to someone else in order 

to leave a legacy of greatness 

behind.”

During the speech, Archer 

revealed he was raised by a 

single mother in a low-income 

community and abused during 

his childhood. Still in grade 

school, Archer found himself on 

the brink of suicide.

“At age 10 I had enough,” he 

said. “But there was a teacher 

in my fourth grade class who 

brought in people to work with 

kids like me and teach me about 

self esteem and self worth. This 

transformed my family entirely.”

The Black Heritage 

Organization is doing its part to 

serve the community and be a 

part of the society, today and in 

the future. The group focuses on 

the idea that black heritage is not 

just a black issue, said President 

Darell LaBorn, but a human 

being issue as well.

“This month we had a food 

festival for everyone in our 

community and a Dr. Martin 

Luther King essay contest for 

students grades 8 through 12,” 

said LaBorn. “And currently we 

are working on a spelling bee 

contest for the children in our 

community in March.”

The evening concluded with 

gospel singer Army 1st Lt. Alisha 

Osborne bringing the audience 

to its feet as she sung numerous 

uplifting songs. Osborne 

demonstrated her range and skill 

by singing jazz and gospel. 

“Her rendition of Andre’ 

Crouch’s ‘My Tribute’ captured 

the moment of the entire 

event,” said Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo Command 

Chaplain Lt. Col. Marvin 

Williams. 

Black History Month 

encourages everyone to think 

about ways they can improve 

American life, Williams said. 

Regardless of race and religion, 

citizens must assist those 

struggling by becoming involved 

in the community.

“Black History month is 

about celebrating culture and 

understanding the history of 

our ancestors in shaping the very 

fabric of America society,” said 

Williams.

February is not only an 

opportunity to educate the 

public on ways black people have 

contributed to society; it also 

serves as a constant reminder 

for African-Americans of how 

far they’ve come and where they 

are headed.

Parents and children are 

encouraged to be a part of the 

Black Heritage Organization 

meetings, held every Monday 

at 6 p.m. located at the Cuban 

Community Center.

(from left to right) Capt. Kirk Hibbert, Dr. Ron Archer, Capt. Monte Bible 

and Maj. Winston Tierney cut the Black History Month cake, Feb. 26, at 

the Silver and Black Ball hosted by the Black Heritage Organization.

| News The Wire | Page 7

The Black Widow weaves her web at the Windjammer

International billiards icon Jeanette Lee, 

aka ‘The Black Widow,’ visited Naval Station 

Guantanamo Bay last weekend to play 

challengers, give tips and spend time getting 

to know Troopers. 

Lee holds more than 30 professional 

billiards titles and formerly ranked #1 

overall in the world. She appeared as the final 

opponent for Morale Welfare and Recreation’s 

billiards shoot-off. The top three contenders 

won their divisions over three nights playing 

at The Windjammer. However, each fell to 

The Black Widow Saturday night.

Even though she gives her victims 

a chance, The Black Widow remains 

undefeated after challenges at more than 25 

military bases around the world.

 “I always give them the first break,” said 

Lee. “If they make the nine ball on the break, 

they win.” 

Lee enjoys playing all challengers, but 

definitely has her favorites.

“Half the people want to play me just to 

say, ‘I played The Black Widow from ESPN - 

it was fun and she kicked my butt,’” Lee said 

with a smirk. “Then there’s others who are 

like, ‘nah, nah – I can beat her.’ And those are 

the most satisfying.” 

Lee’s husband George Breedlove, also 

a world-champion pool player, joined her 

performance Saturday night and again 

Sunday morning. Both players pulled fans 

from the audience to participate in trick 

shots – including Radio GTMO’s Dr. J 

and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Deputy 

Commander Brig. Gen. Samuel T. Nichols, 

who let The Black Widow shoot an eight ball 

being held in their mouths.

Lee and Breedlove came to do more 

than play pool. They came to connect with 

people. Lee touched Troopers by sharing 

some personal experiences away from the 

pro tour at each show – like her battles with 

a debilitating birth condition and fertility.

“Anyone who has fought scoliosis and 

conception the way she did is a trooper,” said 

JTF Chaplain’s Assistant Air Force Staff Sgt. 

Archie Gerald. “It’s easy just to give up but 

she never did. She honestly fought toothand-nail for everything she wanted and at 

the end of her tenure, she became # 1 in the 

game of pool. It’s inspiring and very relevant 

here.”

While Lee’s experiences resonated with 

audiences, she found similar themes with 

folks around the JTF.

 “Just talking to people you can hear it,” 

said Lee “I hear people going through some 

[difficult] things here.” 

Lee and Breedlove made their way to the 

Seaside Galley Sunday morning to reach a 

more personal level with JTF servicemembers 

than they could at the performances. They 

listened to some of the challenges Troopers 

and their families are facing here. 

“I think you start getting into trouble 

when you say, ‘I know what you’re going 

through,’” said Lee. “No you don’t. It’s hard 

for me to imagine what people are going 

through out here. The only thing I can do, 

the only place I think I have, is through my 

experience and through my hardship.’’

 Lee’s approach to billiards and life is one 

in the same – something she found in many 

of the Troopers and families she met here.

“My attitude over all these experiences is 

to embrace what comes. When I say embrace 

I don’t mean be happy about it. When you 

accept it you can grow from it and move 

forward. If you are just fighting it – you can’t 

get through it,” explained Lee.

Having won nearly every title and 

tournament in her sport, The Black Widow 

said she isn’t necessarily moving on from 

pool, but looking for new ways to find 

personal reward in her professional life. She 

described visits like this as one of the last 

truly fulfilling aspects of her billiards career. 

“It is an absolute honor to be here,” 

said Lee “It’s a great feeling to know I have 

something to contribute here.”

Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Jason Tross

Pro pool player Jeanette Lee tries to break an audience member’s 

concentration during her visit at the Windjammer, Feb. 26. 
The Wire | Page 8Sports |

Seabee’s

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

RUN

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Charles Grimes gives his 

visiting girlfriend, Charis Domadon, a smooch following 

the Seabee’s Mud Run, Saturday.

Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Coleman

| Sports The Wire | Page 9

Petty Officer 1st Class Koch crawls through the salt 

flats between the Naval Hospital and Radio GTMO 

during the Seabee’s Mud Run, Saturday. 

Nearly 75 

participants 

and volunteers 

came together

Saturday for the dirtiest fundraiser of 

the year – the Seabee Mud Run.

The 2.3-mile loop course led Troopers, 

families and Department of Defense 

civilians from the old baseball field 

through the flooded salt flats between 

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Hospital 

and Radio GTMO and back.

“Everyone had a lot of fun,” said 

second place winner Construction 

Mechanic 2nd Class Bryant Curry, of 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion-28. 

“I’ve done 5Ks and things like that, but 

I’ve never been in a race where you got 

covered in mud. This race was really just 

about having fun, not winning.”

More than 50 people from around 

Guantanamo Bay registered for the race 

– helping Seabees raise more than $700. 

Public Works Project Manager Navy Lt. 

j.g. Henry Pollock, one of the mud run 

organizers, feels this Seabee Ball fund 

raiser was a success on many fronts. 

“It helps the community and ... morale 

to do something different because when 

you’re at a place where you can’t leave 

you’re doing the same thing over and 

over again every weekend,” said Pollock. 

“This is something new and something 

to look forward to.”

The mud run also served as an 

opportunity for Guantanamo Bay’s 

Seabee community to come together 

before next week’s annual Seabee Ball. 

Eleven NMCB-28 volunteers spent an 

afternoon before the race preparing the 

course and an hour cleaning up afterward. 

Some volunteers were surprised to find 

other Seabees there as well.

“There are 85 Seabees here at 

Guantanamo Bay,” said Equipment 

Operator 1st Class Lori Roberts. “We’re 

at NMCB-28, Public Works, JTF Seabees 

and various individual augmentee 

positions around the JTF. Until events 

like this, we didn’t even know there were 

other Seabees here.”

Roberts, a reservist, finds putting on 

events like the mud run and last month’s 

fishing derby afford other reservists a 

rare opportunity to participate in the 

Seabee Ball and its preparation since 

many don’t live near a Seabee base. 

“Being here and doing these fund 

raisers is a great opportunity for us,” 

she said. “Because we’re reservists, 

this is really the first opportunity for a 

lot of us to go to the Seabee Ball. I’ve 

never actually been to one so I’m very 

excited.”

This weekend’s Seabee Ball marks the 

beginning of another fundraising season 

for the Seabee community here. With all 

the expected and unexpected success of 

the weekend’s mud run, many hope this 

will happen again. 

“I’d love to do another one,” said 

Curry. “Everyone had such a great time. 

I didn’t get to build the course this time, 

but I’d definitely do it next time.”
The Wire | Page 10 Feature | | Feature The Wire | Page 11

Journey through

It’s as beautiful a day as I’ve seen here 

on Guantanamo Bay but there is a stillness 

setting today apart. Maybe it’s the presence 

of death – maybe just the idea.

He retrieves the flowers from the back 

seat, carefully unwraps them and we head 

up the road. Two master-at-arms wait for us, 

eyes covered by dark glasses, their faces stoic. 

As we step into the small cemetery, the first 

thing to greet us is a large tree with blooming 

purple flowers. He comments on the tree and 

I say something encouraging. 

We begin our search.

It takes us a few minutes to find the 

right one. There are several hundred small, 

Story by Spc. Meredith Vincent

Photos by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

unadorned white headstones lined up in neat 

rows, in no apparent order. She was buried 

in 1926, he thinks. The MAs lead him over 

to the left. I hang back and start checking the 

stones on the right. And then suddenly, there 

it is: Antonia Negron Valle ... and child. I 

call them over. As he approaches I think 

about all the events set into motion to make 

this one moment happen. 

I first meet Staff Sgt. Tim Brooks, 

noncommissioned officer in charge for 

rotations at J3, Jan. 3 over a beer at O’Kelly’s 

Irish Pub in the Windjammer. Word of his 

story reached my office and I was eager to 

tell it. As we sit down with two of his friends, 

I realize how young he is. Lanky and dark, 

with a boyish glint and a friendly smile, I am 

immediately taken with his approachable 

and amiable attitude. He starts to tell me his 

story, about his great-grandmother, his greatgrandfather and a serendipitous series of 

deployments that brought two generations 

to Cuba, decades apart.

“I don’t know my great-grandfather’s 

name,” Brooks starts out. “But my greatgrandmother was Antonia Negron Valle...”

His great-grandfather’s name, we 

eventually learn, was Cayetano Valle. A Sailor, 

Cayetano met Antonia in Portugal, where 

she was born and raised. They were married 

and began a family. Brooks’ grandmother, 

Sylvia Barry, was their third child. Shortly 

after Sylvia’s birth, Cayetano was assigned to 

Guantanamo Bay as the lighthouse keeper.

“We have one picture of my greatgrandmother and the kids at the beach here 

on Guantanamo,” says Brooks. “And the 

only way we know is that both my granduncle and my grandma remember taking that 

picture there.”

Before his deployment, Brooks learned 

from his family his great-grandmother 

was buried here. After that single piece of 

information, everything else became blurry. 

Where was she buried? How did she die? 

When did the family arrive here, and for how 

long? 

“I always ask questions about my family,” 

Brooks laughs. “But with a (grandma) who’s 

87, she kind of leads the conversation in 

a direction that she either A) wants or B) 

remembers.”

Brooks’ affection for his grandmother 

shows when he talks about her. 

“She’s like three-foot-eleven – she’s a 

Portuguese spitfire!” he jokes. “She grabs the 

comb and the broom when she comes after 

you. I mean, she may be 87 but you fear that 

little woman!”

Determined to find more answers, Brooks’ 

search led him to an unusual source – Miami 

Herald journalist and JTF Guantanamo 

staple Carol Rosenberg. 

“I was trying to find a list of people 

buried in Guantanamo Bay,” he explains. 

“(Rosenberg) had written a story in 2006 

... and (it) listed (my great-grandmother’s) 

name.”

generations

Brooks was perplexed at the simplicity of 

the situation.

“I didn’t really know to Google my greatgrandmother’s name,” he says, exasperated. 

“But sure enough, when you type in her 

name, that’s the first thing that pops up.”

I take a look at Rosenberg’s story that 

night. He’s right, it shows up immediately. 

I read through it and realize the names 

Rosenberg picked to use in her article are 

seemingly random. Out of the hundreds of 

names she could’ve used, she chose the one 

that happened to be related to a Soldier who 

would be deployed here in only a few years. 

Just another piece to the rapidly unfolding 

reunion. 

After discovering Rosenberg’s article, 

Brooks went in search of more confirmation. 

He didn’t have to look far. After many false 

starts, he learned there was, in fact, an 

Antonia Negron Valle buried, with 

child, inside the cemetery. Not only 

that, she was also buried alongside two 

of her other children. 

Back at the cemetery, we stand in 

front of the three graves. Antonia on 

the far left, her two sons to the right. 

She died during childbirth in 1928. The 

baby who passed away with her was 

never named. 

Five-year-old Ferdinand Serapio 

Valle died from influenza Dec. 4, 1926. 

Next to Ferdinand’s stone is another 

that simply reads “Baby Boy Valle.” 

He passed four days after Ferdinand. 

Looking around at the years engraved 

in many of the nearby headstones, it is clear 

families were lucky if their infants survived 

A Soldier discovers family on Guantanamo Bay

 see BROOKS, page 19

Cayetano Valle and Antonia Negron Valle pose with 

one of their children. The place or year for this photo 

are unknown. -photo provided by Staff Sgt. Tim Brooks

Brooks stands in front of the lighthouse his greatgrandfather once looked after, Feb. 25.

Brooks places flowers on his great-grandmother’s grave, Feb. 12. 
The Wire | Page 12 At Your Service |

Kelly Schloesser 

TRADOC

FORT MONROE, Va., – Soldiers will be 

better prepared if they train how they would 

fight. This innovative physical readiness training 

philosophy, implemented by the U.S. Army 

Training and Doctrine Command, has driven the 

U.S. Army Physical Fitness School to revise not 

only how the Army conducts physical training, 

but also how it will evaluate a Soldier’s physical 

capability.

WHY CHANGE?

Since 1980, the U.S. Army has assessed 

physical aptitude through the Army Physical 

Fitness Test, or APFT. Commonly known as 

the “PT Test,” Soldiers are required to complete 

three events: two-minutes of push-ups, twominutes of sit-ups, and a two-mile run.

“Today’s PT test does not adequately 

measure components of strength, endurance, 

or mobility. The events have a low correlation 

to the performance of warrior tasks and battle 

drills and are not strong predictors of successful 

physical performance on the battlefield or in 

full spectrum operations,” said Lt. Gen. Mark 

P. Hertling, TRADOC’s deputy commanding 

general for Initial Military Training, who holds a 

master’s degree in exercise physiology.

As TRADOC’s lead for the test review, 

Hertling collaborated with a 16-member team 

headed by Frank Palkoska, director of the U.S. 

Army Physical Fitness School, resulting in a 

recommendation to the Army for not just one, 

but two revised PT tests.

“The goal is to align the training and the tests 

with tasks that Soldiers have to perform on the 

battlefield so that the commander has a better 

tool to measure preparedness and can guide 

training for the unit,” said Palkoska.

WHAT WILL THEY LOOK LIKE?

The proposed tests, the Army Physical 

Readiness Test, or APRT, and the Army 

Combat Readiness Test, known as the ACRT, 

align with Army Physical Readiness Training 

outlined in Training Circular 3-22.20, which was 

implemented Army-wide last August providing 

exercises, drills and activities appropriate for 

various levels of physical fitness.

The APRT, designed to replace the current 

APFT, expands from three to five events, 

eliminates sit-ups, increases the pace of pushups, and replaces the long-distance run with 

shorter-faster runs. The five events include: 

60-yard shuttle run, one-minute rower (exercise 

outlined in TC 3.22-20), standing long-jump, 

one-minute push-up, 1.5 mile run.

These events will more accurately test a 

Soldiers anaerobic and aerobic endurance while 

reducing the risk of injuries. The current test 

also only provides a “snapshot” assessment of 

upper and lower-body muscular endurance and 

fails to identify anaerobic capacity, said Hertling.

In order to better assess anaerobic capacity 

that drive high-intensity bursts of energy, the 

run will be changed to 1.5 miles.

“Soldiers will tend to run faster, testing the 

anaerobic energy system in their body,” said 

Hertling of the 1.5 miles. The shorter-faster run, 

requiring a significant burst of energy, will better 

prepare Soldiers for the intensity of today’s 

battlefield, he said.

To better assess muscular endurance, the oneminute rower and push-up events will not allow 

Soldiers to pause and rest. This will require nonTRADOC revises Army Physical Fitness Test 

In The Trenches

This diagram maps out how leaders can set up the Army Combat Readiness Test in their units. 

stop muscle movement that will demonstrate 

immediate muscle fatigue and failure.

TRADOC is also recommending Soldiers 

take the ACRT, which incorporates warrior 

tasks and provides a more accurate assessment 

of the physical readiness training program and 

the Soldier’s individual capability. The ACRT 

will be executed in the Army Combat Uniform, 

Advanced Combat Helmet, and weapon, 

and includes a 400-meter run, hurdles, a high 

crawl, casualty drag, sprints, and several other 

movement drills.

The ACRT is designed to not only correlate 

with readiness training, but also to provide a 

more accurate picture of a Soldier’s ability to 

perform Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills. The 

test incorporates several exercises and drills 

from the physical readiness training circular and 

provides a testing environment similar to that on 

the battlefield.

WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN?

The Army will begin pilot testing at 

approximately eight locations with multiple units 

in order to set standards. The pilot currently 

plans to align age categories for the test scores 

with the American College of Sports Medicine 

and Cooper Institute, broadening age categories 

to under 30, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 and 

above, for both genders.

Following the establishment of standards 

and a thorough review, likely lasting through 

the summer, the tests can then be approved 

for Army-wide execution. Implementing the 

new tests is the final step in the Soldier Athlete 

initiative to better prepare Soldiers for strenuous 

training and the challenges of full-spectrum 

operations.

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 13

On The Deck

Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) – Advance construction started 

on the nation’s newest aircraft carrier Feb. 25 with a “first cut of 

steel” ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Newport 

News, Va.

The steel plate cut will be used in the construction of the carrier, 

which has yet to be named, but will be designated CVN 79.

The carrier represents the second in a new class of ships 

designed to replace Enterprise and Nimitz-class carriers and save 

more than $5 billion in total ownership costs during its planned 50-

year service life when compared to Nimitz-class carriers.

“Today we mark the beginning of the advance construction of 

CVN 79, second of the Gerald R. Ford-class of aircraft carriers,” 

said Rear Adm. Michael McMahon, Program Executive Officer 

for Aircraft Carriers. “It’s an important step in continuing carrier 

construction using advanced technologies and efficiencies to 

reduce both ownership and procurement cost in this new class of 

carriers.”

Ford-class aircraft carriers, while retaining the same hull form 

as the Nimitz class, contain several advanced technology systems 

including Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching Systems, advanced 

arresting gear, dual band radar, a redesigned smaller island and a 

new propulsion plant. The first ship in the class, Gerald R. Ford 

(CVN 78), is also under construction at Northrop Grumman 

Shipbuilding Newport News and is scheduled to be delivered to 

the fleet in September 2015.

The PEO for Aircraft Carriers, an affiliated PEO of Naval Sea 

Systems Command, focuses on the design, construction, system 

integration, delivery and life-cycle support of all aircraft carriers.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.

navy.mil/local/navsea/.

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico

Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) – Commander Navy Region Hawaii 

Criminal Investigation Division is currently investigating allegations 

of possession of illegal synthetic drugs by Sailors of one Hawaiibased ship and two shore-based commands, March 1.

According to Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval 

Surface Group Middle Pacific Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith, “The 

Navy recognizes this as a problem society-wide, and now it’s hitting 

home here in Hawaii.”

Lt. Matthew Clark is the CNRH security officer in charge of CID, 

whose mission is to assist Hawaii-based commands with criminal 

investigations.

“If a command believes that one or more of their Sailors may 

be using Spice, they will call us for assistance,” said Clark. “We will 

interview the initial suspect and develop and follow up on all other 

leads.”

So far, CID has handled five synthetic drug-related investigations 

involving at least 38 suspected users in Hawaii in the past year 

alone.

“It’s not difficult to get caught when using Spice,” said Clark. 

“Basically, once someone is suspected of using Spice, they’ll be 

Construction begins on Navy’s newest aircraft carrier

interviewed, and more times than not, that will lead to other suspects 

in the case, and they’ll end up getting caught, too.”

“Usually, once the suspect starts talking, the numbers in the case 

increase dramatically,” said Clark.

Smith wants Sailors to think about the known consequences 

before they choose to possess or use synthetic drugs or other illegal 

substances.

“When Sailors get caught using drugs, they don’t just throw away 

their careers, they let down their shipmates, the young Sailors they 

mentor, their leaders and their families,” he said. “Sailors who take 

illegal drugs, including synthetic drugs, will be caught. Those who are 

found guilty will face the consequences of their actions.”

According to a recent message from Master Chief Petty Officer 

of the Navy Rick D. West, more than 150 Sailors are currently being 

processed out of the Navy for Spice use, possession or distribution.

“Overall, the Navy has separated 1,374 Sailors in FY09; 1,308 

Sailors in FY10; and 302 Sailors during the first quarter of FY11, for 

drug abuse,” said West. “These unexpected losses negatively affect 

our commands’ manning levels, which in turn affects the commands’ 

operational and warfighter readiness. The Navy’s policy on drug 

abuse is simple and clear – zero tolerance, and there are no second 

chances.”

One of the first pieces of steel is cut for the second ship in the Gerald R. Ford 

class, CVN 79, during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. — photo 

courtesy of Northup Grumman Shipbuilding

Navy Region Hawaii combats synthetic drugs
The At Your Service | Wire | Page 14

WASHINGTON (AFNS) – Air Force and Defense Department officials announced 

the award of an engineering and manufacturing development contract valued at more 

than $3.5 billion for the KC-46A aerial refueler to The Boeing Company Feb. 24.

The program expects to deliver the first 18 aircraft by 2017.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said in the briefing that many factors were 

evaluated during the tanker selection process. 

"This selection process determined whether or not the proposals demonstrated 

the ability of an offerer to deliver all 372 mandatory requirements and whether nonmandatory capabilities would be addressed," said Secretary Donley, emphasizing that 

both offerers met the mandatory requirements. "It also took into account fleet mission 

effectiveness in wartime, and life cycle costs as embodied in fuel efficiency and military 

construction costs." 

Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn noted the "competition favored no one 

except the taxpayer and the warfighter."

The Air Force-led selection effort included experts from the larger DOD community, 

including staff from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and independent review 

teams during each step of the process. 

The thorough and transparent selection process was marked by continual dialogue 

with offerers to ensure the Air Force had a clear understanding of their proposals and 

the companies clearly understood the service's analysis of their offers, said Secretary 

Donley.

Secretary Donley also highlighted that the warfighter was in charge of stating the 

requirements for the tanker, and that meeting those requirements enables the aircraft to 

go to war on day one.

"General Schwartz and I are confident in the fact that when our young pilots, boom 

operators and maintainers receive this aircraft, they will have the tools they need to be 

successful at what we ask them to do," the secretary added.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz shared the secretary’s sentiment. 

"I'm pleased with how this has produced an outcome after an exhaustive effort by 

hundreds of the department's very best people, that we will get about delivering the 

capability that's long overdue," General Schwartz said.

While the focus of the briefing was on the award of the contract, Secretary Donley 

addressed basing considerations for the aircraft, stating that those decisions involve 

other organizations and will take place over the next couple of years.

On the Wing

Boeing wins AF tanker contract 

First deliveries of new KC-46A expected in 2017

FORT BRAGG-POPE FIELD, N.C. (AFNS) – Pope Air 

Force Base became Pope Field March 1 as it transitioned to be 

an Army operated facility supporting Air Force operations.

Several Air Force units were redesignated or inactivated, 

marking a significant moment in Air Force history.

The signing of a proclamation by Col. Stephen Sicinski, 

the Fort Bragg Garrison commander, and Col. Paul Kucharek, 

the 43rd Operations Group commander, marked the handover 

of responsibility for Pope Field. Colonel Kucharek presided 

over the inactivation of Pope AFB’s mission support group, 

maintenance group, and the contracting, security forces, 

communication and civil engineer squadrons, whose missions 

will be assumed by the Army garrison

“The transfer of Pope Field to Army control is certainly 

an emotional event for our Air Force brethren, but it would 

be hard to find a closer relationship between sister services 

than Fort Bragg has had with Pope Air Force Base,” Colonel 

Sicinski said.

The War Department officially established “Pope Field” 

in 1919 and it ranks as one of the oldest installations in the 

Air Force. 

When the Air Force became its own branch of the military 

in September 1947, Pope Field officially became Pope Air 

Force Base. 

Today, Pope Field continues to put the “air” in airborne for 

Fort Bragg missions by providing airlift and close air support 

to American armed forces and to humanitarian missions 

flown all over the world.

Pope’s transition to Army management was directed 

by public law in keeping with the 2005 Base Closure and 

Realignment Commission’s recommendations to improve 

military efficiency and reduce redundancy.

Pope Field will be Fort Bragg’s third airfield, joining 

Simmons Mackall Army Airfields in supporting combat 

training and rapid contingency deployments of the post’s 

airborne and special operations communities.

“The big message for those in the Fort Bragg community 

is that the Air Force mission at Pope Field continues post 

March 1,” said Col. John Stokes, 440th Airlift Wing vice 

commander. 

Pope AFB becomes Army-operated airfield assigned to Fort Bragg

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – 

Two Airmen--a security forces member 

and a vehicle operator--were killed and 

two others wounded when a gunman 

opened fire March 2 on an Air Force bus 

transporting deploying Airmen outside 

Terminal 2 at Frankfurt International 

Airport, Germany. 

All of the Airmen involved were 

assigned to units within U.S. Air Forces 

Europe, and were in the process of 

deploying to support operations in 

Afghanistan. The names of the dead and 

wounded are being held for 24 hours after 

notification of the next of kin.

The two injured Airmen are being 

treated at a German hospital in Frankfurt. 

As of the afternoon of March 3, one 

was in critical condition and the other in 

serious condition. 

German authorities have the alleged 

shooter in custody.

“Our hearts go out to the family and 

friends of those Airmen who were killed 

and wounded in yesterday’s attack,” said 

Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, commander 

of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. “We are 

working closely with German authorities 

to fully investigate this incident.” 

Two Airmen dead, 

two wounded after 

attack in Germany

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15

Cpl. Salvador R. Moreno

11th MEU

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – 

When training between militaries of two 

of the world’s major industrial nations 

commenced in February, so too came the 

need for interpreters, as one lance corporal 

found out.

Language barriers are common during 

training between two countries, and in 

the case of Iron Fist, the annual exercise 

to enhance amphibious capabilities and 

increase interoperability between the U.S. 

and Japan, Lance Cpl. Westley Contrata was 

the solution.

Contrata was born to Honami and Walter 

in the suburbs of Illinois. At a year old, 

he and his family moved to Kyoto, Japan, 

where he grew up for 13 years knowing a 

small amount of English.

“I learned Japanese first, so when I 

moved to the states knowing almost no 

English, it was tough,” said Contrata.

In 2008, he graduated from Westlake 

High School in Westlake Village, Calif. 

Shortly after, he decided to become a 

Marine.

“I joined because I wanted to travel the 

world,” said Contrata.

He was assigned to I Marine 

Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, 

Calif., to serve as a motor transport operator. 

Interpreting as a Marine never crossed his 

mind, he said.

“The MEF looked up my service record 

from my defense language proficiency and 

pulled me for the exercise,” he said.

He was able to help 180 Japanese 

soldiers connect with the Marines of the 

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” said 

Contrata. “I’m enjoying it. I don’t really 

get a chance to use my Japanese outside of 

what I’m doing right now.”

Some of the military terminology can 

be difficult to translate for the Japanese, 

but with Contrata being fluent in both 

languages, the process is easy, said 2nd Lt. 

Saito Shiotomai, a Japanese interpreter 

serving with the Western Army Infantry 

Regiment, Japanese Ground Self-Defense 

Force.

“I envy him because I am an interpreter 

too, but my English skills are raw,” Shiotomai 

said.

One voice connects 

two nations 

Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch

31st MEU 

PEACE KEEPING OPERATION 

TRAINING BASE, Kingdom of Cambodia 

– More than 150 Marines and Sailors with the 

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit trained with 

Cambodian soldiers and sailors in a variety of 

different military skills, Feb. 27.

The training included classes on hand to 

hand fighting, crew served weapons, small 

arms, mine and improvised explosive device 

detection, combat lifesaving skills, and mortar 

systems.

“The training is geared towards familiarizing 

each other with our different techniques,” said 

Lance Cpl. Marshall C. Kerby, a mortar man 

with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 

5th Marines, 31st MEU. “The language barrier 

is the biggest challenge we had to overcome. 

Because most of them do not speak English, 

we have to communicate mostly through hand 

gestures everyone understands.”

Kerby went on to say while it was 

challenging, it was fun to get to interact with 

the Cambodian forces and share ideas and 

experiences.

While the Cambodians were learning about 

the U.S. Marine Corps weapons and tactics, the 

Marines and Sailors were learning new things 

too.

“For pretty much all the Marines, this is 

their first time here,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel 

B. Linden, a mortar section leader with BLT 

2/5. “We are just getting to know each other’s 

cultures, and this allows us to have a better 

understanding of what we can each bring to 

the table in terms of training.”

The training also built upon the Marines 

confidence in their abilities to teach other 

forces.

“The more the Marines get a chance to 

pass their skills onto other service members, 

Cambodian or U.S., the better and more 

comfortable they feel about their ability to do 

it,” said Linden. “They are not just learning 

the ability to work with foreign militaries, they 

are learning the basic teaching skills that will 

allow them to pass their knowledge on to their 

Marines as well.”

As the day and training came to a close, the 

Marines of Company G, BLT 2/5, felt they 

had accomplished their mission and everyone 

had learned some valuable skills. “Even with 

the language barrier I think we did really 

well,” said Kerby. “Everyone seemed to gain 

something from the experience.”

The 31st MEU visited and conducted 

bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific 

Command’s Theater Security Cooperation 

program with the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Marines, Sailors break down barriers to 

train with Cambodian service members 

Inside the Jar

A Marine with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets a 

stake while putting up a net over a mortar system Feb. 27. — photo by Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch

The Wire | Page 16 At Your Service |

Coast to coast

Coast Guard responds to boat 

collision in Key West

Coast Guard News Service

KEY WEST, Fla. – Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife 

Conservation Commission personnel responded to a boat collision south 

of Stock Island, Fla., Tuesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West were notified at 

approximately 7:15 p.m. Tuesday of a collision between the commercial 

fishing vessel Pirate’s Pride, an 85-foot stern trawler, and an anchored 17-

foot recreational vessel. As a result of the collision, the recreational vessel 

sank and the four people aboard went into the water. Two boat crews from 

Coast Guard Station Key West were immediately launched.

The crew of the Pirate’s Pride immediately recovered three of the four 

people from the water. The fourth person was recovered by the Coast 

Guard smallboat crew. No injuries were reported.

Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

are conducting an investigation into the collision.

Midgett returns from patrol, interdicts semi-submersible with cocaine

Coast Guard News Service

SEATTLE – The Coast Guard Cutter 

Midgett returned from a multi-mission patrol 

in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Tuesday, where 

they interdicted a 35-foot self propelled 

semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel carrying 

approximately 6,000 kilograms of cocaine, 

more than 335 miles off the coast of Costa 

Rica, Jan. 20. 

Self propelled semi-submersibles are a class 

of vessel used for smuggling large loads of 

narcotics across the ocean from South America 

to Central America. The vessels ride very low in 

the water, and are generally made of fiberglass 

making them very difficult to detect either 

visually or by radar.

When law enforcement assets arrived on 

scene, no movement was visible on the SPSS. 

Cutter Midgett dispatched a boarding team in 

its small boat, attempted to hail the vessel in 

English and Spanish, and knocked on the hull 

with no response. After three hours alongside 

the vessel, night had fallen and for the safety of 

the boarding team it was decided that the vessel 

board would be delayed until the next day. 

Suddenly, the hatch atop the central conning 

tower swung open and hands were visible as 

one of the crewmembers slowly came out of 

the SPSS

Cutter Midgett’s law enforcement team 

closed with the vessel, and ordered all personnel 

out of the SPSS onto the hull. SPSS crews are 

known to scuttle their vessels upon evacuation, 

therefore Cutter Midgett prepared for people 

to be thrown or to jump into the water. Cutter 

Midgett immediately put its second small boat in 

the water, and the two law enforcement teams 

quickly brought all four SPSS crewmembers 

safely onboard the cutter.

Once onboard, the SPSS crew stated that 

the vessel was from Colombia and the purpose 

of the voyage was to transport cocaine.

The next morning, upon entry into the 

vessel, an estimated 300 bales of contraband 

was discovered. The boarding team removed 

one of the 20 kilogram bales from the SPSS and 

a sample tested positive for cocaine. 

The cutter Midgett is home ported in Seattle, 

Wash. and conducts missions in homeland 

security, search and rescue, maritime and law 

enforcement, perations from the Bering Sea to 

Central American waters.

Key Biscayne crew repatriates 5 Cuban 

migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba

Coast Guard News Service

MIAMI – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Key Biscayne 

repatriated five Cuban migrants Sunday to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba.

An HU-25 Falcon jet crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami 

spotted the four adult males and one adult female aboard a rustic vessel 

about 65 miles south of Key West, Fla., Wednesday at 8:42 a.m.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Okracoke arrived on scene and 

safely embarked the five Cuban migrants. The Cuban migrants were 

later transferred to the cutter Key Biscayne for repatriation.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, migrants are provided food, 

water, shelter and basic medical care.

For information on how to legally immigrate to the United States, 

call U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-800-375-

5283 or visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.

The Key Biscayne is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Key 

West.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett intridicted 6,000 kilograms of cocaine, Jan. 20, during multimission operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. — photo courtesy of Department of Homeland Defense 
The Wire | Page 16 At Your Service |

Coast to coast

Coast Guard responds to boat 

collision in Key West

Coast Guard News Service

KEY WEST, Fla. – Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife 

Conservation Commission personnel responded to a boat collision south 

of Stock Island, Fla., Tuesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West were notified at 

approximately 7:15 p.m. Tuesday of a collision between the commercial 

fishing vessel Pirate’s Pride, an 85-foot stern trawler, and an anchored 17-

foot recreational vessel. As a result of the collision, the recreational vessel 

sank and the four people aboard went into the water. Two boat crews from 

Coast Guard Station Key West were immediately launched.

The crew of the Pirate’s Pride immediately recovered three of the four 

people from the water. The fourth person was recovered by the Coast 

Guard smallboat crew. No injuries were reported.

Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

are conducting an investigation into the collision.

Midgett returns from patrol, interdicts semi-submersible with cocaine

Coast Guard News Service

SEATTLE – The Coast Guard Cutter 

Midgett returned from a multi-mission patrol 

in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Tuesday, where 

they interdicted a 35-foot self propelled 

semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel carrying 

approximately 6,000 kilograms of cocaine, 

more than 335 miles off the coast of Costa 

Rica, Jan. 20. 

Self propelled semi-submersibles are a class 

of vessel used for smuggling large loads of 

narcotics across the ocean from South America 

to Central America. The vessels ride very low in 

the water, and are generally made of fiberglass 

making them very difficult to detect either 

visually or by radar.

When law enforcement assets arrived on 

scene, no movement was visible on the SPSS. 

Cutter Midgett dispatched a boarding team in 

its small boat, attempted to hail the vessel in 

English and Spanish, and knocked on the hull 

with no response. After three hours alongside 

the vessel, night had fallen and for the safety of 

the boarding team it was decided that the vessel 

board would be delayed until the next day. 

Suddenly, the hatch atop the central conning 

tower swung open and hands were visible as 

one of the crewmembers slowly came out of 

the SPSS

Cutter Midgett’s law enforcement team 

closed with the vessel, and ordered all personnel 

out of the SPSS onto the hull. SPSS crews are 

known to scuttle their vessels upon evacuation, 

therefore Cutter Midgett prepared for people 

to be thrown or to jump into the water. Cutter 

Midgett immediately put its second small boat in 

the water, and the two law enforcement teams 

quickly brought all four SPSS crewmembers 

safely onboard the cutter.

Once onboard, the SPSS crew stated that 

the vessel was from Colombia and the purpose 

of the voyage was to transport cocaine.

The next morning, upon entry into the 

vessel, an estimated 300 bales of contraband 

was discovered. The boarding team removed 

one of the 20 kilogram bales from the SPSS and 

a sample tested positive for cocaine. 

The cutter Midgett is home ported in Seattle, 

Wash. and conducts missions in homeland 

security, search and rescue, maritime and law 

enforcement, perations from the Bering Sea to 

Central American waters.

Key Biscayne crew repatriates 5 Cuban 

migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba

Coast Guard News Service

MIAMI – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Key Biscayne 

repatriated five Cuban migrants Sunday to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba.

An HU-25 Falcon jet crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami 

spotted the four adult males and one adult female aboard a rustic vessel 

about 65 miles south of Key West, Fla., Wednesday at 8:42 a.m.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Okracoke arrived on scene and 

safely embarked the five Cuban migrants. The Cuban migrants were 

later transferred to the cutter Key Biscayne for repatriation.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, migrants are provided food, 

water, shelter and basic medical care.

For information on how to legally immigrate to the United States, 

call U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-800-375-

5283 or visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.

The Key Biscayne is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Key 

West.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett intridicted 6,000 kilograms of cocaine, Jan. 20, during multimission operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. — photo courtesy of Department of Homeland Defense 

| Mind, Body & Soul The Wire | Page 17

GTMO Religious Services

Daily Catholic Mass

Mon. - Fri. 5:30 p.m.

Main Chapel

Vigil Mass

Saturday 5 p.m.

Main Chapel

Mass

Sunday 9 a.m.

Main Chapel

Catholic Mass

Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Sunday 7:30 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Church of Christ

Sunday 10 a.m.

Chapel Annex

Room 17

Seventh Day Adventist

Saturday 11 a.m.

Room B

Iglesia Ni Christo

Sunday 5:30 a.m.

Room A

Pentecostal Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

Liturgical Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room B

General Protestant

Sunday 11 a.m.

Main Chapel

United Jamaican

Fellowship

Sunday 11 a.m.

Building 1036

Gospel Service

Sunday 1 p.m.

Main Chapel

GTMO Bay Christian 

Fellowship

Sunday 6 p.m.

Main Chapel

Bible Study

Wednesday 7 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

The Truth Project

Bible study

Sunday 6 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m.

Room C

Jewish Service

Friday 7 p.m.

Chapel Annex

LORIMI Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room A

Mind, Body & Soul

Do you think of yourself as a worrier? 

Do you feel keyed up and unable to relax? 

Does this feeling come and go, or is it 

constant?

Anxiety disorders are characterized as 

excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry 

about everyday life events, frequently 

without an obvious reason to worry. 

People with symptoms of anxiety tend 

to often expect disaster and cannot stop 

worrying about health, money, family, 

work or school. 

For some people, the feeling of anxiety 

is very common when faced with stressful 

events such as a business presentation or 

a first date. For others this is part of their 

daily lives and can grow progressively 

worse if not treated. Living with an anxiety 

disorder can be a long-term challenge and 

in severe cases it can make it hard to enjoy 

life or succeed in your military career.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Minerva Williams 

For military personnel who are 

constantly deployed and still have to deal 

with life at home, anxiety can be detrimental 

and it can make it difficult to adequately 

function. Therefor, it is often advised 

military members take care of themselves 

before and after a difficult deployment. 

Don’t think because you are deployed to 

Cuba life gets easier. Just because your 

spouse, kids or dogs aren’t around does 

not mean you need to overload yourself. 

Take it easy and make sure you know the 

description of your job before you decide 

to enroll in school, join a committee or a 

sports team. 

Stress is a normal part of life, but can 

be managed and monitored appropriately. 

The most effective solution is to address 

the source of your stress or anxiety. The 

first step is to take an inventory of what 

you think might be making you anxious:

— What do you worry about the 

most?

— Is something constantly on your 

mind?

— Does anything in particular make 

you sad or depressed?

— Most importantly, keep a jounal of 

the experiences and thoughts related to 

your anxiety. Are your thoughts adding to 

your anxiety in this situation?

Also find someone you trust (friend, 

family member, neighbor, spouse) who 

will listen to you. Often, just talking to a 

friend or loved one is all that is needed 

to relieve anxiety. Most communities also 

have supports groups and hotlines that 

can help. Social workers, psychologist, and 

other mental health professionals may be 

needed for therapy and other treatment. 

You can contact JSMART at x3566 if you 

feel you need professional help. 

Attack the anxiety... 

before it attacks you
The Wire | Page 18 At the Movies |

Movie Review

After 2008’s blockbuster hit “Taken,” 

it seemed as if Liam Neeson’s career was 

spiraling into a whole different territory. 

Over the last few decades, the veteran actor 

has put together a solid resume mixing 

classic characters from “Schindler’s List” 

and “Les Miserables” with flashier roles in 

franchises like “Star Wars” and the re-booted 

“Batman.” But after the success of “Taken,” 

he emerged as an exciting, new action hero 

– a leaner, more thoughtful Bruce Willis – 

and inexplicitly found a new niche we never 

knew we needed.

Maybe it’s because of his rapport with 

today’s audiences that we hang in there 

throughout the slow, creeping first half of 

“Unknown.” We trust Neeson, he hasn’t 

steered us wrong yet.

Neeson’s Dr. Martin Harris is traveling 

to Berlin with his wife (Mad Men’s January 

Jones) for a [insert boring science specialty 

here] conference. He leaves his briefcase at 

the airport, goes back to get it and on the 

way is in an awful car crash. There, I just 

told you in two sentences what it took the 

movie almost 30 minutes to tell me. You’re 

welcome.

Waking up from a four-day coma, Harris 

races to find his wife, who, it turns out, is 

not very patient, having already replaced him 

with Aiden Quinn. Wha???

“Unknown” shifts gears from creepy 

thriller to testosterone-fueled action flick 

(complete with destructive car chase) to 

not-so-subtle spy flick so quickly, it doesn’t 

give movie-goers enough time to digest their 

surroundings, let alone start to care about 

the characters. To the core, the film is a 

mystery – we’re finding out what happened 

to Harris as he is. But I remember Matt 

Damon doing almost the very same thing a 

few years ago in the Jason Bourne movies, 

and it was much more entertaining. 

Neeson’s co-stars do very little to help 

the plot along, save one. January Jones does 

a heck of a job playing the porcelain doll 

with vacant eyes and shiny hair. Too bad 

she’s so empty and expressionless we forget 

why she’s in the movie half the time. Diane 

Kruger is cute, if not a little angsty, as a 

Bosnian hipster who saves Harris’ life in the 

first place, only to have him invite assassins 

to her door. 

No, the character to watch is Bruno 

Ganz’s Ernst Jürgen, an old-school spy 

enlisted by Harris. Ganz brings the only 

touch of humor and class to this restless 

movie. He is the breath of fresh air that 

calms every scene down. If only the movie 

could have been about Ernst Jürgen – that 

might have been a story worth watching. 

In the end, “Unknown” does its job 

as a post-Oscar season popcorn audience 

pleaser. There’s really nothing that bad with 

it — but there’s really nothing very good 

about it either. A middling two and a half 

out of five banana rats. 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

PG-13

 113 min. 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Call MWR at ext. 2010 for more information. Movie Hotline - call 4880.

Megamind

(PG) 7 p.m.

Hall Pass

(PG-13) 9 p.m. 

The Fighter

(R) 7 p.m.

Just Go With It

(PG13) 7 p.m.

The Social 

Network

(PG-13) 7 p.m.

True Grit

(PG-13) 7 p.m.

Unknown

(PG-13) 

7 p.m.

Green Hornet

(PG-13) 8 p.m. 

Hall Pass

(R) 10 p.m.

True Grit

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Unknown

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

The Fighter

(R) 8 p.m.

Season of the 

Witch

(PG-13) 

8 p.m.

Just Go With It

(PG) 8 p.m.

The Dilemma

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

*NO SHOWING*

Theater of War

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Despicable Me

(PG) 7 p.m.

The Dilemma

(PG-13) 9 p.m

| The Last Word The Wire | Page 19

“Everybody here is a take-charge type of person,” said Porter. 

“They all show initiative and I just try to do the job to the best 

of my abilities.”

Burnette said Porter’s strength lies in his willingness to work 

in new skill sets.

“He works well with others and has the ability to cross train 

effectively outside of his rate,” said Burnette.

Burnette explained Porter has accomplished the skills of a 

machinery technician by taking apart and rebuilding engines for 

the small boats, automobile brakes, and even electronics.

Porter has big plans for his future, both immediate and 

distant.

“My immediate goal is to make petty officer 1st class and 

eventually finish my college degree in electronic technologies,” 

said Porter.

Burnette summarized by saying Porter fulfills the core values 

of the Coast Guard.

“This is a gentleman who is forth right, honest and respectful,” 

said Burnette. “He goes out of his way to help others and he does 

whatever is required to get the job done without any complaints 

whatsoever. So he epitomizes the Coast Guard values.”

Club Survivor, an enlisted club, 

existed before but the structure was 

torn down in November of last 

year. JTF Guantanamo leadership 

made a goal to replace the old 

structure with a better building, said 

Tara Culbertson, Morale Welfare 

and Recreation director

“We’re doing the work for the 

Troopers so they can have a place 

to relax in a nice environment,” 

said Kenworthy. 

To guard against potential 

damage caused by weather, 

termite infestation or conditions 

circumstantial to Guantanamo Bay, 

a pre-engineered building will be 

built for the new Club Survivor.

PEB is a generic term used for 

any building assembled elsewhere, 

then disassembled and shipped to 

the location, said Kenworthy. 

“PEB’s are engineered to 

withstand hurricane forces, 

earthquakes, snow loads, and they 

are termite proof because they are 

a year. Every fifth or sixth one says “Infant” 

“Baby Boy,” “Baby Girl” or just simply lists the 

few months they were alive. Even as the sun 

beats down on us, I feel a shiver of sadness. 

There really isn’t anything that compares to the 

death of a child. 

Brooks goes first to Ferdinand’s stone. He 

carefully chooses a flower from his bouquet, a 

blue cluster of petals, and places it softly against 

the headstone. He then goes to the baby’s and 

does the same. Finally, he stands before his 

great-grandmother’s. 

“I tried to ask my grandma if my greatgrandpa ever came here one last time,” he says. 

“She said she couldn’t remember.”

He’s quiet for several moments, as if he’s 

wrestling with a thought. 

“If I had a wife and three children who I 

lost here, I don’t know whether it would be too 

hard to come here and say one last goodbye or 

just...” He trails off, thinking about the man he 

never knew. “Maybe it was too much to bear, I 

don’t know. It’s almost too much for one guy 

to take.”

Brooks is the youngest of six and the only 

living son. He knows the importance of his 

presence here today.

“It might quite possibly be that I’m the last 

person to ever set foot in the gravesite, as far 

as family,” he remarks solemnly. “It’s a personal 

connection I have here. None of my siblings 

can ever say they came here and did that.”

He kneels in front of the grave and mutters 

something softly; I can make out a small prayer. 

Later I ask him if his family is religious. He 

answers yes. 

“My grandma goes to regular services when 

she can,” he says simply. “I was just making a 

thankful prayer that the family has been so 

blessed despite all that loss.”

Regardless of one’s faith, it’s hard not to 

feel moved in the quiet cemetery. Outside the 

thick trees and hills that seclude the area, the 

naval station keeps humming along. Inside, 

surrounded by the memories and names of 

people who once called Guantanamo home, it’s 

difficult to remember that world. 

On the way back, Brooks tells me he wants 

to bring his grandma here.

“She didn’t get to know her mom, she died 

when she was three,” he says. “I would feel a 

sense of satisfaction if she got to say one last 

goodbye.”

It’s been an emotional afternoon. We sit in 

silence for a while, as I wait for him to process 

everything. After the excitement he displayed 

during our first meeting, I wonder aloud if the 

visit was what he had in mind. 

“It was different than what I expected,” he 

finally says. “But very nice. It’s a good choice 

[the cemetery’s location] up here.”

The long journey bridging these two 

generations came to a meeting point this fateful 

February afternoon as Brooks stood looking 

down at his great-grandmother’s grave. It’s 

natural for one to think about larger-than-life 

ideas like fate and destiny. Brooks has a simpler 

take on it.

“I like to think of it as serendipity,” he says. 

“Just a wonderful accident.”

“It’s definitely odd to find out you have 

family from 80 years ago buried here,” he 

chuckles. “But everything we have here is kind 

of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

I remember again our conversation at 

O’Kelly’s. He remarked on everything that 

happened in history between his greatgrandmother and great-grandfather embarking 

on a life here, to when their great-grandson 

would venture here with the United States 

Army. 

“It’s been over 75 years, two world wars, 

two gulf wars and a man on the moon later and 

one of my family finally comes back here,” he 

laughed. 

That night there was laughter and jokes, as 

he related to us the crazy series of events that 

transpired since he arrived on Guantanamo Bay 

in October. Today is much more somber, as the 

reality of a family who lost so much here sinks 

in. 

“It’s sad because I definitely want to share 

this experience with my grandma and my mom,” 

he says regretfully. “It’s kind of bittersweet that 

I have to spend it alone.”

But he’s not alone. Off the beaten-path and 

tucked away securely, Brooks found them in a 

small cemetery, past a large tree with blooming 

purple flowers. He found the three headstones 

that share the name “Valle” – a mother and her 

three young sons. Through nearly eight decades, 

he found his family on Guantanamo Bay. 

all-metal,” Kenworthy said. 

The PEB’s compatibility with 

Guantanamo Bay conditions is not 

its only advantage. 

“It’s real easy and fast to build. 

It’s like putting LEGO’s together,” 

Ryan said. “As long as you have all 

the pieces, which we do, you can 

construct it.” 

The project is meant to bring 

recreation to Troopers, but it 

also provides gratification to the 

personnel accomplishing it. 

“It’s a great challenge to put 

together a structure Troopers will 

have to relax and take a break from 

work for a little while,” Kenworthy 

said. “It’s very personally and 

professionally rewarding.”

The expected completion date 

for Club Survivor is June 1. Due 

to the Seabees on-call status to 

South America, that date could be 

deferred but Club Survivor is their 

next focus, said Ryan.

 BROOKS cont.

 SEABEES cont. FOCUS cont.