Volume 12, Issue 10 Friday, February 25, 2011

Basketball season 

hits full stride

Warriors helping 

Warriors

SUDS visit GTMO

Fleming leaves some 

final thoughts

Soldiers of 525th Military Battalion participated 

in a force march as part of a noncommissioned 

officer development course, Feb. 24. — photo by Mass 

Communications Specialist 2nd Class ELisha Dawkins

Master-at-Arms Chief Dustin Alexander pick litter 

off of Windmill Beach, Feb. 19. — photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins

Around the

JTF

Food Service Specialist 3rd Class David Cepero 

preps dinner on board the U.S. Coast Guard cutter 

Mohawk (WMEC 913) while moored at Naval 

Station Guantanamo Bay, Feb. 18. — photo by Mass 

Communications Specialist 1st Class David P. Coleman
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 Document Automation & 

Production Service with a circulation of 1,000.

Trooper to Trooper |

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson

Command Master Chief

Navy Master Chief Petty Officer

Scott A. Fleming

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

 

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

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: Spc. Brandon Neal, of the 193rd Military Police Company, clears dirt out of a draining ditch outside Camp Delta, Feb. 

24. – photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller.

COVER: Spc. Joe Yantz (left) and Sgt. Matthew White, both wounded warriors from the 82nd Airborne Division visited Guantanamo 

Bay, Cuba as part of the Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba. The group of seven newly minted divers arrived on Feb. 17 and 

stayed through Feb. 21. – photo by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel.

Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Sgt.

Army 1st. Sgt.

Kevin Stapleton

Duty means a lot of different things to a lot of Troopers. Duty 

means to me fulfilling your obligation to the Army, subordinates, family, 

and friends to the best of your ability. That means doing what is asked 

and what is not asked of you, knowing the right thing to do and doing 

it without expecting anything for it. 

Duty is the obligation to carry out your assigned tasks. When all 

Troopers come into the military, they sign a contract. By raising their 

right hand, this becomes a promise to the Armed Services to uphold 

the duties and responsibilities set before them and to accomplish all 

missions assigned to them. 

A sense of duty is important to have when providing the basic needs 

to your family as well. You make obligations to do your job and earn 

money to support your loved ones. 

Sometimes these responsibilities can be overwhelming, but remember: 

rarely is something worth doing, ever easy. 

| news you can use The Wire | Page 3

The commander of U.S. forces in 

Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, is looking 

into a report that U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan 

illegally used psychological tactics to manipulate 

U.S. lawmakers into supporting the war.

In a statement Thursday, the military said 

Petraeus is preparing to order an investigation 

into the claims detailed in an article published in 

Rolling Stone magazine.

According to the article, U.S. Lieutenant 

General William Caldwell illegally ordered 

troops specializing in psychological operations, 

or psy-ops, to use their skills on U.S. senators 

visiting Afghanistan.

The article says Caldwell asked the psyops specialists to provide detailed background 

reports on the lawmakers that could be used to 

tailor messages and gain leverage in requests for 

more funds and troops.

The story also quoted one officer, Michael 

Holmes, as questioning the legality of the 

operation to military lawyers. 

Rolling Stone reports Holmes later became 

the subject of an investigation into his personal 

behavior, unrelated to his work in psy-ops. 

The magazine says Holmes believes he 

was singled out for questioning the campaign 

targeting U.S. officials.

Allegations of ‘Psy-Ops’ to Sway 

Funding for Afghan War 

Sparks Probe

Voice of America News Service

Libyan Opposition Moves Westward as Bloody Uprising Continues

Voice of America News Service

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar 

Gadhafi continue to attack anti-government 

protesters, but the opposition groups appear to 

be gaining more of a foothold, despite the brutal 

crackdown.

The official picture coming out of Libya is 

far different from the one presented by Libyan 

civilians.

Gadhafi’s son, Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, 

downplayed reports of casualties when he 

appeared on Libyan state television Thursday to 

discuss the uprising.

He said only a small number of people 

had died, but he did not provide a figure. And 

he invited foreign media to tour Libya Friday, 

challenging them to find evidence of bombings 

or brutality.

But hospital sources, human rights groups and 

witnesses tell a far bloodier story. 

“I can’t manage [to say] how many dead 

exactly, more than 300 in Benghazi, and injured 

more than 3,000,” said Dr. Hisham Mustafa 

Abou Dabous, a physician at a hospital in the now 

opposition-controlled eastern city of Benghazi, 

where the revolt began.

While much of the east is reported to be under 

opposition control, the revolt against Gadhafi is 

spreading westward toward the capital, Tripoli.

Witnesses told foreign media that the Libyan army 

attacked anti-government protesters in a mosque 

in the city of Zawiya Thursday. They described 

heavy casualties after security forces used antiaircraft missiles and automatic weapons.

Multiple witnesses say opposition protesters 

have driven security forces out of the coastal city 

of Misrata, but there are also reports of ongoing 

clashes there.

Moammar Gadhafi addressed Libyans via 

telephone on Libyan state television Thursday 

afternoon. He said the uprising is the work 

of al-Qaida, and he accused anti-government 

protesters of being trigger-happy teenagers and 

drug addicts.

Senior Libyan government officials have 

said they view journalists who enter the country 

without permission as al-Qaida collaborators. It 

is difficult to independently confirm accounts 

coming out of the region.

Gadhafi appears to be losing sway within 

the international community and within his own 

circle of influence. One of Gadhafi’s closest aides, 

Ahmed Gadhaf al-Dam, defected in protest of 

the fierce crackdown on demonstrators.

The U.S. government has condemned the 

ongoing violence. European Union nations have 

agreed to discuss possible sanctions against Libya. 

Germany’s Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle 

has said, if the crackdown continues, sanctions 

are inevitable.

Speaking after a meeting with Arab League 

chief Amr Moussa in Cairo Thursday, Westerwelle 

again denounced the violent suppression of the 

Libyan people.

“We cannot accept that a dictator is really 

punishing in such a violent way his own people, 

the young people of Libya,” said Westerwelle. 

“This is a war of a dictator against the young 

people. And this is something which we condemn 

absolutely, in a clear language.”

Italy’s Interior Minister Ernesto Roberto 

Maroni is calling on EU nations to provide 

urgent help in coping with what he called “a 

catastrophic humanitarian crisis” that is building 

in Libya. Interior ministers from Mediterranean 

countries are discussing ways to handle the flow 

of refugees.

Libyan anti-government protesters are calling 

for major rallies against Gadhafi’s rule on Friday. 

A Libyan doctor treats a wounded man injured last week during a demonstration against Libyan Leader 

Moammar Gadhafi, in Benghazi, Libya, February 24, 2011 — photo by AP

A young Saudi man has been arrested in 

Texas for allegedly seeking to bomb targets 

in the United States, including the home of 

former president George W. Bush.

The U.S. Justice Department says 20-yearold Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, a Saudi citizen, 

was arrested late Wednesday on a federal 

charge of attempted use of a weapon of mass 

destruction.

A Justice Department statement says 

Aldawsari had been researching targets and 

allegedly bought chemicals and equipment 

necessary to make bombs to carry out a violent 

act of jihad.

Aldawsari could face life in prison if 

convicted. He is to make his first court 

appearance Friday.

Aldawsari entered the United States lawfully 

in 2008 on a student visa.

Justice officials said some of the emails 

Aldawsari sent to himself contained violent 

jihadist messages and indicated he sought a 

particular scholarship in the United States for 

the purpose committing an attack.

One email allegedly contained a message 

saying “one operation in the land of the infidels 

is equal to 10 operations against occupying 

forces in the land of the Muslims.”

Saudi Man Arrested in Texas for 

Bomb Plot

Voice of America News Service
News from the Bay

Renowned pool player 

to visit Guantanamo

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Jeanette Lee, internationally renowned 

professional pool player, is scheduled to 

visit Guantanamo Bay Saturday at 6:30 p.m. 

and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Windjammer 

Ballroom.

This will be Lee’s second trip to 

Guantanamo Bay, said Jill Lynch, Liberty 

program manager. 

“She was really popular, so we decided to 

bring her down again,” said Lynch. 

Morale Welfare and Recreation is giving 

three lucky Guantanamo pool players 

the opportunity to play Lee during her 

Guantanamo Bay tour. The first two qualifing 

rounds have already passed, but the third 

and final round will be held tonight at the 

Windjammer. 

“Those three winners are going to play 

Jeannette Lee in a pool tournament on Saturday 

night,” she explained. “And then she’ll show us 

some of her tricks ... and probably answer any 

questions and do a little instruction.”

Lee, known throughout the billards 

community as “The Black Widow,” has had 

one of the most illustrious careers in the 

sport’s history. According to her website, 

blackwidowbillards.com, Lee “has claimed 

more than 30 national and international titles... 

was formerly ranked as the #1 player in the 

world... was named the ‘WPBA Sportsperson 

of the Year’ in 1998 ... and Player of the Year 

honors from both Billards Digest and Pool 

and Billards Magazine.”

In 2001, Lee was also the Gold medalist 

for the United States at the World Games.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Lee 

was diagnosed with scoliosis in her early 

teens. Even after numorous surgeries, she 

still suffered from chronic pain, which 

would continue to plague her throughout her 

career. 

Today, Lee lives in Indiana with her 

husband and family. 

For more information on Lee visit, contact 

Jill Lynch at x2010.

The Wire | Page 4 News from the Bay | 

The Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo Joint Stress 

Mitigation and Restoration 

Team is presenting a unique, free 

performance to Troopers and 

their families from a small and 

intimate group of Hollywood 

and Broadway actors Friday, Mar. 

4 through Sunday, 

The group, called ‘“heater 

of War,” acts out ancient Greek 

stories focusing on the effects 

of war. Afterward, a discussion 

is held with the audience on 

how they felt about the material. 

Four performances are scheduled 

for the weekend at both the 

JTF and Naval Station sides of 

Guantanamo Bay.

 The first three-hour 

performances is scheduled for 

7:30 p.m., Mar. 4 at W.T. Sampson 

Elementary/High School. The 

next performance is scheduled for 

7:30 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 5 at Camp 

Bulkeley Lyceum and later for 

7:30 p.m. back at W.T. Sampson 

Elementary/High School. The 

final show is scheduled for 7:30 

p.m. Sunday, Mar. 6 again at the 

Camp Bulkeley Lyceum.

“It’s very powerful,” said Navy 

Lt. Jason Duff, JSMART officer 

in charge. “It’s poignant, relevant 

and... facilitates discussion 

within the crowd because people 

inherently want to speak to this.”

The actors spend part of the 

evening reciting and performing 

Even though the Greek stories 

presented by “Theater of War” 

are more than 2,000 years old, 

they still resonate with today’s 

warriors.

“I’ve seen young men stand 

up and say, ‘I know exactly what 

he was feeling in that situation. I 

was there too. I was in that state 

of mind when I got home,’” said 

Duff. 

The group’s planned reading 

for this trip is about Ajax, a 

fierce but distraught warrior. 

Ajax falls into a depression after 

fighting in The Trojan War and 

unsuccessfully attempts to murder 

several of his senior officers. 

He commits suicide, despite an 

intervention from his wife and 

fellow troops. 

“I saw their performance at 

Camp Pendleton, [Calif.]” said 

Duff. “I was blown away by it. 

Not just as a psychologist who 

has an interest in mythology, but 

all the way up and down the chain 

and across ranks.”

Duff began working on getting 

“Theater of War” to Guantanamo 

Bay shortly after he reported in 

October. With full support from 

top JTF leadership, he worked 

countless hours on the logistics of 

getting and supporting an entire 

production staff for three days. 

Now he’s hoping for the payoff. 

“We would like to see every 

seat filled,” he said. “I just hope 

as many people as possible take 

advantage of it.”

‘Theater of War’ to highlight timeless military challenges

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Jason Tross

their roles in the story. The 

remainder consists of a panel 

discussion with people who 

served in Iraq or Afghanistan 

or any foreign war. Spouses of 

someone who is or has been 

deployed, a military chaplain or 

a mental health provider are also 

included, Duff continued.

“They talk about how they 

identify with the story and share 

their personal accounts of having 

worked with someone who has 

PTSD or a family member of 

those who have been deployed,” 

he said.

JTF leadership discusses the importance of Black History Month

Story by Mass Communication Specialist

2nd Class Elisha Dawkins

In 1926, historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson, 

founder of the Association for the Study of 

Negro Life and History, established Black 

History Week in the United States. This 

celebration commemorated the individuals 

who have made significant contributions to 

black history and culture. 

“We should emphasize not Black History, 

but the African-Americans in history,” said 

Woodson. “What we need is not a history 

of selected races or nations, but the history 

of the world void of national bias, race, hate 

and religious prejudice.”

During America’s bicentennial in 1976, 

the week-long tradition expanded to the 

entire month of February. African-American 

history documented the impact on fighting 

for equality for all races and gender of 

American heritage in areas of politics, 

economics and social development. 

Today, Troopers from Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo celebrate the occasion with 

observances throughout the month. 

“Though it’s important to remember the 

lessons of the past, it’s equally important 

that we live out those lessons in the present,” 

said Brig. Gen. Samuel Nichols, deputy 

commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

Joint Detention Group Commander Army 

Col. Donnie Thomas said those lessons are 

reflected within the task force every day.

 “Here at Guantanamo we are a 

community of good example regardless of 

race, creed and religion,” said Thomas. “We 

are here for one mission: safe, humane and 

legal treatment for individuals we guard. We 

give them tremendous dignity and respect 

regardless of what they did on the battlefield. 

I believe in the message Dr. Martin Luther 

King preached.”

Black History Month is a time to reflect 

upon the many successes of AfricanAmericans of the past. 

“It’s through their accomplishments we 

are reminded of obstacles they overcame,” 

Thomas explained.

While still under the yoke of slavery, 

African-Americans served in the 

Revolutionary War but were not given credit 

for their heroism on the battlefield.

“The American revolution was a blessing 

for many of them,” Nichols said. “It paved 

the way to freedom from slavery and helped 

 see HISTORY, page 19

| Feature The Wire | Page 5
The Wire | Page 6 News |

As the trial of Noor Uthman Muhammed 

began and concluded last week, an 

orchestration of events behind the scenes 

transpired ensuring all the wheels in the 

machine kept turning. Playing a starring role 

in the symphony were the Troopers of Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo’s Public Affairs 

Media Relations Department, charged with 

facilitating access to the 23 journalists who 

arrived to tell the story to the world

“It’s our job to provide the tools they 

[civilianmedia] need in order to tell their 

story — which is our story,” said Mass 

Communications Specialist 1st Class Erica 

Gardner, media relations noncommissioned 

officer in charge. “The media can make or 

break our existence here.”

Gardner explained the media relations 

department helps reporters get the 

information they need in several different 

ways.

“We arrange interviews with subject 

matter experts, we provide tours of the 

camps and provide them logistical support 

while they’re here,” she said.

The logistical support requires 

coordination with other groups working 

within the JTF, including members of 

the Base Engineer Emergency Force, the 

Commissions Support Group, badging and 

motor pool.

“We began making all the arrangements 

with the different groups about three weeks 

prior to the start of the trial,” said Gardner. 

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry guided a group 

of seven journalists during a tour through 

Camp 6.

“We make sure they have a ride here and 

that the questions they’re asking are being 

answered,” Perry said.

Perry explained sometimes a question is 

posed that cannot, for a myriad of reasons, 

be answered immediately. 

“We take down the question and get it to 

the people who can answer it and then get it 

back to the members of the media,” Perry 

said. 

Near the Commissions building is the 

media operations center, a hub of press 

activity during the proceedings.

“We had to make sure all the computers, 

phones and other telecommunications 

aspects were working and just make sure the 

place was clean,” Gardner added.

 With all the tours given, photographs 

taken and video footage shot, the media 

relations department slips into their other 

role -- ensuring operational security hasn’t 

been compromised.

“We review everything taken during 

PAO teams with media to balance transparency, security

Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

Story and photo by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

The Oklahoma Air National 

Guard’s 138th Civil Engineering 

Squadron immediately began 

work after they assumed 

command of the 474th

Expeditionary Civil Engineering 

Squadron last month. 

Better known around 

Guantanamo Bay as the BEEF, 

the 474th is actually one of the 

Air Force’s forward-deployed 

Expeditionary Prime Base 

Engineer Forces. Their primary 

task here is Camp Justice – a 

critical venue for the first U.S. 

Military commissions since 

World War II.

The tent city portion of Camp 

Justice is a unique variation of 

a Basic Expeditionary Airfield 

Resources kit. The kits are 

typically used to create temporary 

forward-operating air bases and 

disaster relief camps. Now the 

Camp Justice’s temporary nature 

is the BEEF’s primary concern, 

138th CES Commander Lt. Col. 

Martin Keiner, said

Each tent has nylon support 

tie-down straps that keep 

it in place – even in winds 

faster than 100 mph. Years of 

extreme Caribbean sun and 

rain are breaking down the 

nylon material. Now the BEEF 

is working to replace them all 

before hurricane season.

“The best I can tell, Camp 

Justice has been here since 

late 2007, 2008,” said Keiner. 

“Although we’re sitting at about 

four years, we’re only losing 

the straps. I find it very ironic 

that it’s failing because of the 

straps – not because of the tent 

material.”

The deteriorating straps 

aren’t the only weather-related 

maintenance issue facing the 

BEEF as they extend the life of 

this essential establishment. The 

unit is also still doing transitional 

work to get the entire facility 

the way they want it - including 

a neglected runway underneath 

the camp that is deteriorating.

“There is a slope to the 

runway and we can get torrential 

rains here,” said Keiner. “I’ve 

heard as much as 6 inches of 

water can fall in one storm. You 

have to get the water off and 

away as fast as possible.”

“There’s a low spot where all 

the water runs and then gets into 

the tents – just one section of 

the runway. You need flat ground 

for the camp, so obviously 

the runway is ideal. But we’re 

having some sloping issues,” said 

Keiner.

New BEEF on base gets busy building, blocking & beautifying

Spc. Justin Pierce listens as Gavin Lee from the BBC News asks 

a question inside the detainee classroom at Camp 6, Feb. 15.

 see MEDIA, page 19

 see BEEF, page 19

When Spc. Ashley Chandler, volunteer 

coordinator for the 525th Military Police 

Battalion, moved into the Tierra Kay 

housing complex several months ago one 

of the things she immediately noticed was 

the dilapidated state of volleyball court. 

A volleyball player back in high school, 

Chandler decided to bring the court back to 

playable conditions.

“The court was totally unusable,” 

Chandler said.

Most people in the housing complex 

were not even aware the playing field 

existed, Chandler explained because it was 

tucked away near the TK mini-exchange and 

overgrown with weeds.

Mustering her resources, Chandler put 

together a project plan that included digging 

up all the sand to help remove the weeds, 

and remarking the boundary line.

Chandler’s initial plans called for new 

sand, but after Soldiers with the Joint Task 

Force Engineering section began tilling 

the sand they realized by simply removing 

the weeds from the old sand the new sand 

would not be needed.

“We worked with [Army] Maj. Allen 

Knotts of the JTF Engineering section and 

determined we could use the sand already 

out there,” she said.

On Saturday, nearly 20 Soldiers from 

the 525th sacrificed their weekend and got 

to work on the arduous task of yanking 

weeds.

“It was a long, tiring day,” Chandler 

noted. “We were all so worn-out and sun 

burnt by the time it was done that no one 

even wanted to play a game or anything.”

Chandler said the crew spent nearly 

nine hours working in the hot sun before 

stepping back and taking in the success of 

their work.

To inaugurate the new court, Chandler 

organized a senior enlisted versus junior 

enlisted volleyball match for Saturday.

“There was a lot of hard work done last 

weekend by several dedicated volunteers,” 

Chandler said. “As a battalion we would 

like to play a few days to break in the new 

court.”

The match-up starts at 10 a.m. Saturday. 

Chandler said all are welcome to cheer on 

their favorite side.

Story by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

Due to volunteer efforts, Tierra Kay volleyball court gets a facelift

“A good defense wins 

championships,” is how the 

saying goes.

Although not for a 

title, defense factored into 

Outlawz/12A NEGB’s superior 

performance in defeating the 

Shottazz, 42-22, in an open 

recreation basketball league 

game at Denich Gym, Tuesday.

The Outlawz held the 

Shottazz to a season low 22 

points in their victory. Bottling 

up Leon Cole and Devon Lee, 

both leading scorers for the 

Shottazz, became a huge factor 

in the Outlawz’ win. Coming 

into the game, Cole and Lee 

averaged 28.6 points a game 

combined. Tuesday night they 

only scored nine points. 

“Intensity of defense was 

going on today,” said JR Trabler, 

Outlawz forward. 

The contest pitted two 

one-loss teams against each 

other and appeared to possess 

potential for a close game. This 

in a league when victors have 

won by 20 or more points in 

more than half of the games 

played thus far. 

“This win means a lot,” said 

James Jones, Outlawz guard. 

“The Shottazz are one of the 

biggest, fastest, most athletic 

teams on the island and we beat 

them by 20.”

Sentiments from the Outlawz 

players echoed a satisfaction in 

playing well as a unit.

“It was a perfect win,” said 

Gary Maxwell, Outlawz guard. 

“The Outlawz are playing as a 

team now.”

The game got off to a slow 

start. By about nine minutes 

in, the score was tied at six 

points. This was the closest the 

Shottazz would get to a lead. 

“I feel terrible,” said Leon 

Cole, forward for the Shottazz. 

“It all pays off because we 

didn’t practice. It’s why we 

didn’t execute.”

Soon after the Shottazz tied 

the game, the Outlawz pulled 

away with a 17-3 run making the 

halftime score 23-9.

The Shottazz opened the 

second half with a technical 

foul free throw which cut the 

Outlawz lead to thirteen, the 

closest the Shottazz would get 

for the rest of the game. 

Points were not easily earned 

for the Shottazz, as ten of their 

22 were made at the free throw 

line.

“We could’ve beat them. We 

just weren’t playing our game,” 

Lee Hinton, forward for the 

Shottaz said. “We need to work 

on our game and stop worrying 

about the other team’s game.”

Tuesday marked the Shottazz’ 

second straight loss, extends the 

Outlawz’ winning streak to three 

Outlawz outshoot Shottazz 42-22

Story and photo by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

The Outlawz’ Gary Maxwell goes for a layup 

against the Shottazz at Denich Gym during 

Tuesday night’s basketball game. 

| Feature The Wire | Page 7

and sets up a good matchup 

between undefeated Dynasty/

NEGB and the Outlawz.

“The team we play next, 

Dynasty/NEGB, beat this team 

by only six points,” Jones said. 

“So we sent a message that 

we are definitely a force to be 

reckoned with.”

The victory is a good 

momentum push for his team, 

both for their next game and the 

rest of the season, said Trabler

In addition to productive 

team cohesion, Outlawz players 

were happy about every team 

member’s execution, from the 

starters to those coming off the 

bench.

“Everybody came and did 

what they needed to do,” said 

Trabler. “Everybody played 

their part . . . everybody brought 

intensity.”
The Wire | Page 10 Feature |

The Wire: How would you characterize 

your experience as Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo’s senior enlisted leader?

Command Master Chief: Both fascinating 

and educational. Educational in 

understanding the dynamic down here in 

and of itself, understanding who’s who 

in the zoo organizationally and how all 

the pieces come together, how the troops 

interact. 

If you’ve been in the military any amount 

of time these days I think everything you 

do, almost, at least operationally, involves a 

joint flavor. But I can’t believe there’s many 

places that are more joint than Guantanamo 

both ideologically and through execution. 

It’s been impressive watching everybody 

work together, handling a difficult 

mission. 

So yeah, I hope I’m better for the 

experience and I think it’s been a successful 

His seabag packed, Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s senior enlisted leader, 

Command Master Chief Scott Fleming, sat down with The Wire and gave 

us some of his final thoughts and reflections on his two-year tour.

tour. I know at least in terms of mission 

accomplishment we’ve enjoyed some 

success and continued to advance the 

credibility of the joint task force and the 

troops who are assigned here. 

We’ve gone to great lengths to dispel the 

idea that we’re a black mark on America’s 

credibility. I think that when people come 

down here and see it first hand, they come 

away with an entirely different notion of 

Guantanamo.

TW: What are some of the most important 

lessons you’ll take back with you?

CMC: Patience is a virtue. Paying attention 

to detail matters. Your way of seeing things 

is not necessarily the only or right way of 

seeing things. 

When you come down here and are 

exposed to so many different service cultures 

I think you initially come with the idea that 

‘Well, I grew up this way.’ But when you 

get here and see what everyone else brings 

to the table, you walk away with a much 

broader perspective and appreciation for 

considering other ideas and not sticking 

hardcore to the mindset that my service’s 

way is the only way.

TW: What were your expectations of 

working in a joint environment and did 

they change or were they reinforced?

CMC: They were absolutely reinforced. I 

was in Camp Bucca in Iraq doing detention 

operations with JTF-134. So I saw firsthand 

a lot of the same dynamics. The idea that 

senior enlisted have the potential to solve a 

lot of problems through interaction, through 

mutual respect, through cooperation, and 

through an occasional argument. I saw that 

firsthand, in action at Bucca and I think I 

had a pretty good understanding coming in 

Fleming’s 

farewell

| Feature The Wire | Page 11

-- you know -- what it took to at least be 

semi-successful. Gitmo has done nothing 

but validate those basic ideas.

TW: What has been the toughest 

challenge you’ve faced as the JTF’s 

senior enlisted leader.

CMC: I think the toughest challenge for 

us ultimately is the negative legacy that 

surrounds Joint Task Force Guantanamo. 

Particularly with respect to the guard force 

because they go in every day and demonstrate 

incredible composure, restraint, maturity, 

interpersonal skills and yet, you’re very 

hard pressed to find anybody in a senior 

military leadership or elected position that 

talks about what we do in a positive light. I 

think that wears on a lot of our troops. It’s 

nice occasionally to pick up the newspaper 

and read what you’re doing matters and 

actually achieving mission success. For us, 

that’s a tough nut to crack. When people 

come down here, they get it on a personal 

level but on a broader scale, the recognition 

of exactly how well our troops do their job 

is conspicuously absent.

TW: What is the significance of the 

Spartan helmet on your desk?

CMC: It’s a failure on my part. It was 

intended to be a rotational unit recognition. 

Each unit, each week, was going to submit 

something at the command and staff 

meeting. The admiral and another group 

would vote for the winner. Whoever won 

that week would take the helmet. So it’s a 

vivid illustration of one of my failures, if 

you must know.

TW: What achievement are you most 

proud of?

CMC: I think creating unity among the 

senior enlisted leaders to address the needs 

of our troops. Not just the needs — the 

desires, the priorities. I say that sort of 

tongue-in-cheek, because, at the [senior 

enlisted leader] meeting today, we were 

talking about some of the same things we 

were talking about two years ago at my first 

SEL meeting. 

So you wonder, in retrospect, if you 

accomplished anything, given that you are 

talking about the same exact things. But, I 

know for a fact, that we have made strides 

in regards to quality of life, with respect to 

mission accomplishment, with respect to 

mission readiness. I know that in my heart 

of hearts but, there’s still times when you 

look around and go ‘Did we do anything 

at all?’ We’re still talking about housing or 

how insufficient the Internet is, so I say that 

working with the senior enlisted to address 

those needs is the accomplishment I’m 

most proud of. And I know it to be true. 

But I still think, because of our turnover 

rate specifically, a new crowd every three 

months of people come here and come 

to those same realizations -- oh my God 

this is wrong and that is wrong. So you’re 

constantly fighting that turnover battle and 

constantly seeking to educate people about 

where we were and where we are.

TW: That said, what advice would 

you give to the Trooper who hasn’t yet 

arrived here?

CMC: Come in with an open mind. 

Remember that everything is relative. This 

can be a difficult place to work and live -- if 

you let it. If you come in with an open mind, 

learn the environment, learn the rules of 

engagement and appreciate the experience 

for what it is rather than what it’s not, then 

you will have a successful tour down here 

and leave better for the experience.

TW: What advice would you offer to the 

person selected to advise you?

CMC: Wow, it would almost be the same 

advice I would give to any Trooper coming 

down here – open mind. Be receptive to 

suggestion, to constructive criticism. Have 

an appreciation for the bigger picture. My 

relief is coming in off a ship so I think his 

exposure to this type of environment will 

be somewhat limited and the temptation 

may be to function from his old mentality 

as opposed to opening his aperture a little 

and recognizing the place for what it 

actually is and how dynamic it is. It’s not a 

static sort of place to be. Based on political 

“I think the toughest challenge for us 

ultimately is the negative legacy that surrounds 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo. Particularly with 

respect to the guard force ...” 

Command Master Chief Scott Fleming

JTF Guantanamo Senior Enlisted Leader

sensitivity and a million other factors, this 

place- GTMO – will be a very interesting 

tour for him.

TW: The mission of JTF Guantanamo is 

the safe, transparent, legal and humane 

treatment of detainees. How have you 

helped move the ball on that front? 

CMC: I think I helped move the ball 

because I was fortunate to work for and 

with some fantastic people who were open 

to new ideas. Who listened to my input and 

who, in their own right, were patient with 

me. Through that dialogue up and down 

the chain of command I think there was 

awareness of what we were trying to do and 

appreciation for the challenges that come 

with the mission and ultimately a respect 

for the job our Troopers do to make it all 

happen. So I think it’s communication. 

Communication among the senior 

enlisted community is paramount. It’s almost 

cliché to say that but it really is. We talk 

laterally and we talk vertically and so those 

are relationships you improve universally 

with respect to everything we’ve already 

talked about. It all comes back to talking 

and working through the challenges.

TW: Is there anything you’d like to add?

CMC: It’s been an incredibly rewarding 

tour. I drank the joint kool-aid – I think I 

did that a while ago, actually. This has 

certainly given me even more desire to be 

in a joint environment and to experience the 

military not in a service specific light but in 

a broader context.

There will be a farewell celebration for 

Command Master Chief Fleming tonight at 

the home of Rear Adm. Harbeson, Marine 

Site 101. All are invited to attend, with the 

celebration getting underway at 6 p.m. 
The Wire | Page 8 Feature | | Feature The Wire | Page 9

Story by 

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

 see SUDS, page 19

Army Sgt. Matt White (left) and Dan Muldoon prepare to go on their certification 

dive, Feb. 18. - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

Spc. Joe Yantz (middle), student of Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS), 

is helped back to the shore after returning from a certification dive at Blue 

Beach, Feb. 19. - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

Sgt. Tyler Anderson fits a flipper to his 

prosthetic leg. -photo by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

SUDS visited the base’s Dive Locker for a tour of 

the facility. - photo by Chris Hileman.

Spc. Joe Yantz of Sedalia, Mo. Was one of seven divers to visit the waters of 

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during a Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba trip to 

the island. The SUDS crew arrived on Feb. 17 and spent the weekend certifying 

the disabled divers. - photo by Chris Hileman

Wounded warriors find healing, fun when SUDS comes to GTMO

More than a 1,000 miles away from Walter 

Reed Army Hospital, Army Sgt. Matthew 

White stood at the edge of the water, letting 

the surf of Guantanamo Bay’s Hidden Beach 

crash over his legs.

“I always wanted to learn how to scuba 

dive,” White said. “After I lost my leg, I never 

thought I would be able to.”

White was with the Army’s storied 82nd

Airborne Division in Afghanistan’s Arghandab 

River Valley when an improvised explosive 

device took the bottom half of his left leg.

“I was supposed to get stationed in 

Hawaii,” he said. “I planned on learning to 

dive when I got there.” 

While rehabbing at Walter Reed, White 

learned of the Soldiers Undertaking Disabled 

Scuba organization. He said he knew right 

away he wanted to be a part of the program.

“Water is the great equalizer,” said John 

Thompson, SUDS president, in a 2009 

Washington Post interview. “When you get 

them in the water, they don’t have to deal with 

gravity. The pressure on prosthetics and the 

pain goes away.” 

Founded in 2006, SUDS has helped more 

than 300 wounded warriors obtain scuba 

certification. The group’s website notes 

“by training the warriors in a challenging 

and rewarding activity, it can help facilitate 

the rehabilitations process and promote 

mobility.”

A recognized 501 (c) 3 non-profit 

organization, SUDS makes two trips, with up 

to six wounded veterans, to Guantanamo Bay 

yearly. Joint Task Force Guantanamo Trooper 

and certified dive instructor Army Capt. Sarah 

Cleveland wasn’t on hand for the first trip in 

2008 but she has worked with the program 

since the second visit.

“This is one of the most rewarding 

experiences here on the island,” Cleveland 

said. “It’s such a good feeling watching these 

guys go from being nervous about diving at 

first to accepting it and really enjoying it.”

Along with serving as one of the instructors, 

Cleveland and members of the Reef Raiders 

Dive Club and Ocean Enterprises Dive shop 

spearheaded the logistical efforts needed to 

bring the Soldiers to Guantanamo Bay.

“We had nearly 100 volunteers from all 

over donate their time and effort to help 

the GREAT EQUALIZER
Jim Garamone, 

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Training 

will begin shortly for experts in certain 

specialties and leaders as part of the plan 

for finalizing repeal of the law that bars 

gay men, lesbians and bisexuals from 

serving openly in the military, the chief 

of staff for the Defense Department’s 

repeal implementation team said here 

Thursday.

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Steven A. 

Hummer outlined the process in an 

interview.

The current policy remains in effect 

until 60 days after the secretary of 

defense, the chairman of the Joint 

Chiefs of Staff and the president certify 

the military’s readiness to implement the 

repeal.

Clifford L. Stanley, undersecretary 

of defense for personnel and readiness, 

issued a memo Feb. 10, to the military 

secretaries on the implementation plan.

“The memo continues the preimplementation process,” Hummer said. 

Now, the general added, the team is 

ensuring all the policies are prepared so 

that when repeal day actually occurs they 

will go into effect.

The implementation team is also 

ensuring that training is in place for all 

2.2 million members of the military. 

The Defense Department, along with 

representatives from all five services, 

developed and synchronized the 

training.

“The services will each put their 

colors and their appropriate culture into 

those [plans],” he said. “The Navy will 

talk about petty officers, and the Marines 

will talk about sergeants.”

Training is broken into three tiers. “Tier 

1 and Tier 2 training will start in earnest 

soon,” the general said. Tier 1 training is 

for people who have unique skill sets, such 

as chaplains, lawyers, personnel specialists, 

military investigators and recruiters, he 

explained. Tier 2 training is for leaders, and 

Tier 3 training is for the force at large.

“This is leader-led training,” Hummer 

said. “Our over-arching theme is leadership, 

professionalism, discipline and respect.”

The services will deliver the first of 

many progress reports to Stanley on 

March 1. 

‘Don’t Ask’ repeal 

training set to begin

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan, — More than 300 

local citizens attended a ribbon cutting 

celebrating the opening of the Laki Girls 

School in Garmsir district, Helmand 

province, Afghanistan, Feb. 15.

“In a district where we literally just 

cleared the Taliban from walking the streets, 

you’ve got a community that’s willing to step 

forward and open a girls school,” said Lt. Col. 

Matthew Reid, commander, 2nd Battalion, 

1st Marine Regiment, Patrol Base Gorgak.

According to the commanding officer, the 

Laki citizens suggested the idea of the school 

opening to coalition forces. In fact, the girls 

school has a bit of a history in Laki.

“Before Taliban occupation, it was a 

women’s center,” said Staff Sgt. George 

Saggeth, a team chief with 3rd Civil Affairs 

Group. “However, the Taliban prohibited 

women from gathering in public and closed 

the facility.”

Now, the facility is ready for approximately 

180 female students. It consists of six eightby-five-foot rooms, a teacher’s lounge, a 

water pump, latrines and a guard post, which 

will be manned by local security personnel.

Saggeth said planning for the girls school 

began five months ago.

An Afghan National Police station stands 

approximately a kilometer from the school. 

On a regular basis, Marines meet there with 

Amir Sha Jahn, the local police chief. The 

police and Marines team up with Afghan 

National Army soldiers to patrol local 

villages.

Together, coalition forces survey the 

residents about potential civil affairs projects 

like the girls school. They ask how projects 

are coming and take suggestions for new 

ones.

After the girls school, civil affairs work in 

Laki continues, and for the Laki community, 

a boys school in the nearby village of Shah 

Wali Kahn is underway, and Saggeth predicts 

it will be finished in three months.

Helmand citizens open 180-student girls’ school 

In The Trenches

The At Your Service | Wire | Page 12

An Afghan National Police officer passes out literature to local girls during the ribbon cutting for the Laki 

Girls School, in Garmsir district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 15. photo by Sgt. Jesse Stence

On The Deck

Central Command Public Affairs

Navy News Service

TAMPA, Fla. (NNS) — At approximately 

1 a.m. EST, Feb. 22, while negotiations 

were ongoing to secure the release of four 

American hostages, U.S. forces responded 

to gunfire aboard the pirated vessel (S/V) 

Quest.

As they responded to the gunfire, 

reaching and boarding the Quest, the forces 

discovered all four hostages had been shot 

by their captors. Despite immediate steps 

to provide life-saving care, all four hostages 

ultimately died of their wounds.

“We express our deepest condolences 

for the innocent lives callously lost aboard 

the Quest,” said Gen. James N. Mattis, U.S. 

Central Command Commander.

During the boarding of the Quest, the 

reaction force was engaged by pirates on 

board the vessel. Two pirates died during 

the confrontation and 13 were captured and 

detained along with two pirates already in U.S. 

Forces custody. The U.S. Forces also found 

the remains of two other pirates already 

dead aboard the Quest. In total, it is believed 

19 pirates were involved in the hijacking of 

the S/V Quest.

U.S. Forces have been closely monitoring 

the S/V Quest for approximately three days, 

once it became known to be pirated. Four 

U.S. Navy warships comprised the response 

force dedicated to recovering the S/V Quest: 

the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), 

the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf 

(CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS 

U.S. forces respond to 

gunfire aboard S/V Quest 

Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 

84). The ships are deployed to the region to 

conduct maritime security operations and 

to provide support to operations Enduring 

Freedom and New Dawn.

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd 

Class Kenneth R. Hendrix

U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

HONG KONG (NNS) -- 

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet 

Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk told members of the Asia 

Society in Hong Kong on Feb. 

21 that the Navy’s increased capabilities and growing maritime 

partnerships reflect an enduring commitment to peace and 

stability in the region.

“The 7th Fleet has actually 

increased its capabilities in several significant ways. The ships 

and aircraft that we operate 

today are vastly more capable 

than they were just a few years 

ago,” Van Buskirk said.

He said the number of ships 

operating in the 7th Fleet on 

‘Commitment remains steadfast’ in Asia-Pacific

any given day are about 70 on 

average, which is about the same 

or more than it was a decade 

ago with increased capabilities 

aboard those ships today.

Van Buskirk cited the deployment to Japan of the nuclearpowered aircraft carrier USS 

George Washington (CVN 73) -- 

with greater speed, range, ammunition stowage and endurance, as 

an example of how the fleet’s capabilities have increased.

He also cited the deployment 

of the Ohio-class fleet ballistic 

missile submarines (SSBN), the 

60-40 split of attack submarines 

from the Atlantic to the Pacific 

and the recent deployment of 

the Virginia-class submarine USS 

Hawaii (SSN 776), which reflects 

the fleet’s growing capability under the sea.

Van Buskirk added that upgrades to surface ships, including 

Ballistic Missile Defense capability and enhanced sonar suites, 

making them “increasingly potent.”

He rejected the notion the 

U.S., with its sluggish economy 

and military operations in Afghanistan, is lessening its commitment to the region.

“U.S. Navy and defense leadership continue to give me exactly the forces I need to do my 

mission,” Van Buskirk said.

Improvements in capability 

have been made even stronger 

by a deepening of our alliances 

and partnerships around the region, Van Buskirk commented.

“Our alliance with Japan continues to be the cornerstone of 

our forward presence in Asia, 

and has in my view been the 

foundation of security in this 

region for the past 50 years,” 

Van Buskirk said.

Asia Society chairman Ronnie C. Chan said the group was 

delighted to hear Van Buskirk’s 

views.

“The vice admiral touched 

on subjects of interest to a 

wide range of our members. It 

was very well received.”

Van Buskirk reiterated that 

the U.S. Navy remains “committed and engaged”.

“We remain committed to this 

region, we remain committed to 

the Pacific and actively engaging where ever we can to foster 

maritime partnerships,” he said. 

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 13
The At Your Service | Wire | Page 14

Cpl. Elyssa Quesada

11th MEU

PACIFIC OCEAN — Marines 

and Sailors with the 11th Marine 

Expeditionary Unit and soldiers with 

the Japanese Ground Self Defense 

Force embarked USS Makin Island 

to participate in the at-sea portion of 

Exercise Iron Fist here Feb. 23.

The troops are participating in the 

bilateral training exercise to strengthen 

the bond between U.S. and Japanese 

militaries.

“We have a lot of good training going 

on and I think each side is going to get 

something out of it,” said Gunnery Sgt. 

Bryant A. Berdugo, the unit’s logistics 

chief, from Bellport, Long Island, N.Y.

Throughout the week and a half 

at-sea period, the Marines, Sailors and 

soldiers will conduct ship-to-shore 

movements and perform command and 

control afloat in order to improve their 

amphibious capabilities.

“I’m so excited to be on ship,” said 

Sgt. Ken Ogata, an interpreter with the 

JGSDF. “Although it is my second time 

on ship, it’s very different.”

Exercise Iron 

Fist underway

Lance Cpl. Tyler J. Bolken 

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — With his pregnant wife 

on the verge of giving birth beside him, Staff 

Sgt. Johnathon M. Waytas frantically drove 

himself and his wife in their four-door SUV 

down U.S. Highway 70 toward the Morehead 

City, N.C. hospital, Feb. 7.

Waytas, aviation ordnance instructor with 

the Center for Naval Aviation Technical 

Training Marine Unit Cherry Point, said he 

wondered if they would be able to make it.

“I decided to pull over and call 911,” Waytas explained. “I stated this is who I am, this 

is where I’m at.”

Waytas and his wife had pulled over into 

an empty parking lot behind the Bojangles in 

Newport, N.C., about halfway to the hospital, 

which had discharged them only a few hours 

before – saying labor was not imminent.

“I knew I was going to have my baby,” 

said Waytas’s wife, Bethani.

She was right, but she and her husband 

couldn’t have imagined under what circumstances.

“We were pulled over and Bethani said she 

thought she was ready to push,” said Waytas.

He speedily began adjusting the seats, 

pushing the automatic tilt and back buttons 

at the same time, positioning his wife in as 

a comfortable position as their Jeep Commander would permit.

“Then, I went ahead and delivered the 

baby and got back on the phone with dispatch 

to ask what to do next,” Waytas stated.

Dispatch told him to tie off the umbilical 

cord, which he did with one of his shoelaces, 

thereafter taking the shirt off his back to 

wrap around his wife and newborn daughter 

– 6-pound, 12-ounce Krisily L. Waytas.

“I was a shirtless guy in the parking lot,” 

Waytas joked. “Everything happened so 

fast.”

He estimated the time from when they 

pulled over to when the baby was born was 

about two and a half minutes, and it only 

took about another three minutes for the 

paramedics to arrive.

The paramedics cut the umbilical cord, 

loaded mom and Krisily into the ambulance 

and headed straight for the hospital with 

Marine delivers daughter in restaurant parking lot

Inside the Jar

Staff Sgt. Johnathon M. Waytas, aviation ordnance instructor with the Center for Naval Aviation Technical 

Training Marine Unit Cherry Point, and his family pose in their Jeep Commander at his home Feb. 15. Seven 

days earlier, Waytas delivered his newborn daughter, Krisily, in the Jeep. photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler J. Bolken

Dad following.

Upon arriving to the hospital, Waytas said 

the doctors were shocked and said his wife 

set a land speed record for delivery.

The family was relieved.

“I must have done something right,” said 

Waytas. “Everybody is here and healthy.”

In all, Waytas said he kind of got what he 

wished for in having his daughter born Feb. 

7, because his birthday is Feb. 8.

He added, “We were kidding around with 

doctors and saying can we hurry up and deliver her today so we can have separate birthdays. I really didn’t mean for it to happen that 

fast.”

“It was an experience most dad’s don’t 

get,” said Bethani, jokingly adding he was 

making up for not being able to make the 

birth of their first daughter, 3-year-old, 

Allexis, because he was deployed to Afghanistan.

“I got the full experience of this,” Waytas 

said. “I’m really proud of my wife and admire the way she dealt with whole process. 

The stars aligned and everything worked out 

right.” 

G.W. Pomeroy 

Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Air Force 

officials began drug testing Airmen, Feb. 22 to 

determine whether they are using Spice — the 

street term for a range of designer syntheticcannabinoid products.

With the implementation of testing, 

officials intend to send a very clear message: 

use Spice, and you may lose your career, end 

up in jail or both, officials said.

“Spice, also commonly referred to as 

herbal incense, is mistakenly perceived by 

some Airmen as a legal or safe alternative to 

marijuana,” said Dr. Aaron Jacobs, the Air 

Force Drug Testing program manager.

Side effects can include panic attacks, 

hallucinations, delusions, vomiting, increased 

agitation and dilated pupils, he said.

“Additional harmful effects are still 

unknown, so individuals are taking significant 

risks to their health when they use Spice,” 

Jacobs said.

Drug Enforcement Administration 

officials recently took steps toward listing five 

chemicals used to make Spice as schedule I 

controlled substances, meaning they will be 

illegal to possess, distribute or manufacture in 

the U.S.

Airmen who use Spice are subject to 

On the Wing

Air Force stop loss pay application window closing March 4

Tech. Sgt. John Orrell

National Guard Bureau

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas 

— The deadline for eligible members or 

legally designated beneficiaries to apply for 

Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is coming 

to a close, March 4.

Airmen who were involuntarily held on 

active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 

30, 2009, may be eligible for the special pay 

compensation of $500 for each month they 

were affected. Eligibility includes active, 

retired and former service members as well 

as members of the Reserve component who 

served on active duty while their enlistment or 

period of obligated service was involuntarily 

extended, or whose eligibility for separation 

or retirement was suspended as a result of 

stop loss.

Claims are being evaluated based upon 

historical records as well as any supporting 

documents the applicant may submit. Officials 

here have received more than 10,500 claims to 

date with approximately 3,000 of those still 

pending review or approval determination.

Due to the large volume of applications 

prosecution under the Uniform Code of 

Military Justice.

Air Force officials have taken disciplinary 

action against Airmen identified as using 

Spice and continue to aggressively enforce 

the prohibition through courts-martial and 

nonjudicial punishment.

In 2010, 177 Airmen received nonjudicial 

punishment for using Spice and another 83 

Airmen faced Spice charges at courts-martial.

Air Force Drug Testing Lab technicians 

will utilize the expertise of the Armed Forces 

Medical Examiners Systems to conduct the 

specialized testing.

received in the last few months, officials 

from the separations branch here are asking 

claimants to allow 12 weeks for processing 

their claims before following up.

For more information or to file a claim, 

eligible members or legally designated 

beneficiaries may download a stop loss claim 

application at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/

stoploss. Applicants who were serving in the 

Reserve or Guard at the time of stop loss may 

find an application by visiting the Air Reserve 

Personnel Center website at https://arpc.afrc.

af.mil/vPC-GR/.

.

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15
For the second time in less than a decade, 

Yun Chung signed on the dotted line and 

pledged his loyalty to the United States 

Army for another six years. 

Chung, a budget technician for J-8, is 

perfectly at peace with his decision. 

“I did it for the job security,” he admitted. 

“I was seeing all the news about reducing 

troops and cutting budgets, and I wanted to 

continue my service as an Army Soldier.”

A native of South Korea, Chung moved 

to the United States in 1996. He joined the 

Army seven years later. 

“I was trying a different life,” he 

explained. “I had just finished college and 

was in a graduate program, but I wanted 

to try a different way ... and also serve this 

country.”

Chung was deployed to Iraq in 2004 as 

an infantryman. He arrived on Guantanamo 

Bay in October and is still getting used to his 

new surroundings.

“It’s still a very different environment 

from my first deployment,” he chuckled.

In addition to his regular Army duties, 

Chung is also tackling Internet courses during 

his time here on Guantanamo Bay. 

“I’m usually studying in my Cuzco room,” 

he said. “I’m taking Intermediate Accounting 

toward my MBA and it’s a very demanding 

course.”

Regardless of how much his surroundings 

change, Chung is known for his attention 

to detail and his dedication to his fellow 

servicemembers.

“Sgt. Chung is a task-oriented Trooper,” said 

Staff Sgt. Heather Elias, noncommissioned 

officer in charge for J-8. “[He] believes in 

mission first and taking care of Troopers’ 

needs.”

Boots on the Ground

What do you or your unit do for PT each week?

“I’m on a softball team.”

Army Staff Sgt. 

Kellie Bell

The Wire | Page 16 Boots |

trooper

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 7 years

Hobbies: just need more 

sleep

Pet peeves: impatient junior 

Troopers

Next goal: looking for more 

mobilization opportunities

Army Sgt. Yun Chung

focus

“Go to the gym for the 

eliptical machine and play 

softball.”

Religious Programs 

Specialist 3rd Class

Jeffrey Lauber

Lance Cpl. 

Britney Thomas

“Kickboxing at Marine Hill.” “Go to the gym with coworkers Mondays, Tuesdays 

and Wednesdays and lift..”

Air Force Staff Sgt. 

Brian Margavich

Spc. Meredith Vincent

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 The Wire | Page 17

Mind, Body & Soul

“Fitness” is one of those catchwords we 

often use to describe a state of healthy living or 

the ability to perform at an optimal level. For 

the Armed Forces in general and the specific 

mission of the Joint Task Force, performance 

is a key ingredient for success. One of my roles 

as a chaplain is to assist people in navigating 

through the course of life. In doing so, I have 

always been intrigued with the relationship 

between “fitness” and “performance.” 

Although some people tend to separate fitness 

from performance, I think these two concepts 

are inextricably tied together. 

Recent studies on labor and psychology 

show a link between daily fitness regiments and 

performance. These studies reveal employees 

who have some form of rigorous exercise use 

far less sick days than those who do not exercise. 

In the labor market absence from work due 

to illness is linked with performance issues. 

If employees miss time from work, they are 

unable to perform adequately. As the corporate 

saying goes, “time is money.” However, a more 

interesting facet of exercise and performance 

deals with those who show up for work but do 

not perform at an optimal level. Unfortunately, 

labor statistics and analyses cannot get to the 

core of the many factors that contribute to lack 

of performance issues. 

A much neglected factor with investigations 

on fitness and performance is the ability to 

negotiate or manage personal struggles — 

what I label as “battles” in life. Being fit means 

military personnel have the ability to deal 

with the many contingencies we face in life. 

The battles I am speaking of are daily fights 

or struggles. And when personal struggles 

are sustained over long periods of time, the 

fight turns into a constant battle. In fact, I 

contend personal battles contribute directly to 

suicidal ideations. Thus, an effective means of 

eradicating suicide among military personnel is 

by providing a resource for those needing help 

in coping.

No one is exempt from the battles that 

occupy our lives. We face demons on all 

fronts. I am reminded of a very familiar biblical 

story that has been remade over and over 

again by filmmakers: the story of David and 

Goliath. Okay, I agree, the story of David and 

Goliath seems as if it took a page from Greek 

mythology. Nevertheless, this story can be a 

helpful resource for understanding and dealing 

with the complexities in our lives. 

Behind the story is the concept of the 

personal battles people face. All of the 

characters deal with tremendous personal 

and professional conflict. In order to ensure 

peak performance and win the battle, the 

characters must overcome their fears and adopt 

a strategy that incorporates patience, attention 

to detail and endurance. Furthermore, the 

most prominent feature in this story is about 

believing in yourself, even when others do not.

This ancient story helped me in dealing 

with my battles. I realized that being fit to fight 

is critical in negotiating all the contingencies 

in life. Fitness is indeed about performance. 

It is about performing at the highest level to 

accomplish the goals in life we set for ourselves 

both personally and professionally. 

I may not be aware of the type of battles 

in your life, but I do know you can overcome 

any struggle if you are committed to being fit. 

Fitness from this standpoint means taking all 

human elements into consideration. It means 

caring for the physical, mental, emotional, and 

spiritual dimensions that constitute the human 

need for fulfillment. 

Being fit is not a one-time event -- it is a 

lifestyle of daily practices. Of course, I cannot 

guarantee you will win every fight in life, but 

you can overcome all the battles you are facing 

or will face in the future. The story of David 

and Goliath is about understanding the gifts 

we have inside us to garner the strength and 

overcome each obstacle in life. Yes, we are fit 

to fight, and we fight to win. 

Fit to Fight

Air Force Lt. Col. Marvin Williams

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Command Chaplain
Movie Review

Where is Christian Bale? He’s listed as a 

castmember of “The Fighter,” but is no where 

to be seen. Especially for those looking for the 

charisma and charm of Bale’s Bruce Wayne, 

you will be sorely disappointed. Bale inhabits 

Dicky Eklund so instinctively and completely, 

there is not even a glimmer of the actor 

possessing him. Establishing himself as one 

of the greatest Method actors working right 

now, he is poised and capable of becoming this 

generation’s Daniel Day Lewis. 

Certainly Bale has been waiting -- biding 

his time -- until a character like Dicky came 

along. “The pride of Lowell,” Dicky is a oncepromising boxer who sinks into a harrowing 

addiction he is not able to escape. Dicky’s claim 

to fame is beating Sugar Ray Leonard in the 

middle of a headline bout, but there’s always 

been speculation over whether Leonard was 

knocked out or if he tripped. Since then, Dicky 

has lived in a self-constructed reality in which 

he is a larger-than-life celebrity, and not a crack 

addict low life.

Following in Dicky’s footsteps is his little 

brother, Micky. The true story is actually 

about Micky’s rise to the pro’s in the early 

80s, centering on his struggles with his diehard family. The boys, along with their seven 

sisters, are raised by Alice, a fierce specimen 

of a woman whose love for Dicky makes it 

impossible for her to see his self-destruction. 

Micky is caught between his love for his family 

and his drive to be successful. Complicating 

matters is the arrival of Amy Adams, his toughas-nails bartender girlfriend, who doesn’t mince 

words and isn’t afraid to face down the female 

population of the Ward family. 

Mark Wahlberg, an outstanding actor in his 

own right, is pitch-perfect as Micky. Wahlberg 

has been breaking stereotypes and surpassing 

any expectations placed on him in the last 

couple of decades. His Micky is shy and sweet, 

a good-old-boy who wants to be something for 

everybody, but always ends up disappointing 

somebody. 

Unfortunately for Wahlberg, he is 

surrounded by a different caliber of acting 

and is therefore outshined in his own starring 

vehicle. Aside from Bale’s revelation of a 

performance, the movie is also a showcase 

for the women in Micky’s life. Melissa Leo 

relinquishes all forms of vanity and plays Alice 

without asking for sympathy or understanding. 

Her disregard for the havoc Dicky reeks on 

Micky’s career makes for the movie’s most 

cringe-worthy moments and her showdowns 

with Amy Adams’ Charlene crackle.

Speaking of Amy Adams, I dare you not to 

adore her. Playing against type, she rids herself 

of the sweet wholesomeness that made her 

famous and instead plays Charlene with a 

gritty, no-bull attitude that easily makes her 

the movie’s easiest character to love. And she 

does it without hardly a smile the entire time. 

This is a chick every girl wants to be and every 

dude wants to date. 

Fantastic cast aside, what makes “The 

Fighter” worth watching is the last few minutes. 

In a tender nod to the real-life characters who 

graced us with such an amazing story, the real 

Dicky and Micky share the screen for a short, 

bittersweet home movie. In those moments, 

we forget about Bale and Wahlberg and 

instead are given a glimpse into the touching 

bond that brings these two brothers together. 

This pugilistic story is surprisingly thoughtful, 

predictably inspiring and altogether a TKO. 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

R

 115 min. 

25 26 27 28 1 2 3

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

Megamind

(PG) 7 p.m.

Just Go with It

(PG-13) 9 p.m. 

The Fighter

(R) 7 p.m.

Season of the 

Witch

(PG13) 7 p.m.

The Social 

Network

(PG-13) 7 p.m.

How do You 

Know?

(PG-13) 7 p.m.

The Unknown

(PG-13) 

7 p.m.

Tron Legacy

(PG-13) 8 p.m. 

The Fighter

(R) 10 p.m.

The Social 

Network

(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-13) 

8 p.m.

Despicable Me

(PG) 8 p.m.

Unknown 

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

Just Go With It

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Yogi Bear

(PG) 7 p.m.

Unknown

(PG-13) 9 p.m

The Wire | Page 18 At the Movies |

this all together,” Cleveland said.

Volunteers cleaned up beaches, move 

scuba equipment and assisted the wounded 

warriors in and out of the water.

“Everyone has been so supportive of our 

efforts,” Cleveland said.

The SUDS crew arrived on Guantanamo 

Bay, Feb. 17 and began earning their scuba 

certification. However, the process began 

before the Soldiers even stepped off the 

plane.

“There was a whole bunch of online 

courses we had to do, work in the pool and 

medical clearances we had to get before we 

could come here,” White explained.

Sitting on the beach on Saturday morning, 

White said he learned a lot from his dives on 

Friday and was implementing some of the 

adjustments for his upcoming dives.

“The split fins really make a difference and 

I’m working out some of the kinks with the 

prosthetic,” he said, explaining the varying 

degrees of pressure from the different depths 

affected his prosthetic differently.

“This has totally been worth all the effort 

put it in,” White said. “I plan on going back 

and telling all of my friends this is something 

they should do.”

Staff Sgt. Stefanie Mason echoed White’s 

remarks.

“Standing here above the surface, you just 

can’t imagine what it’s like under the water,” 

she said.

Mason has limited use of her right leg and 

suffered a mild traumatic brain injury due to a 

vehicle accident while serving with the 352nd 

Civil Affairs Command in Afghanistan.

“Having all these people out here, helping 

us, it’s made it really enjoyable,” said Mason.

The trip to Guantanamo Bay is the first 

time since her accident she has been away 

from her nonmedical care giver, her mother 

for an extended period of time

“My mom was really worried about me 

coming out here,” she said. “But I’m going to 

have so many stories to tell her, it’s just been 

amazing.”

The warriors will dive from the shores of 

Hidden Beach twice before heading to Cable 

Beach for a party with all the volunteers who 

helped bring the event together.

The following day the crew of seven 

divers and all their instructors will take to the 

boats for an open water dive, their final set of 

underwater exploration before heading back 

to the United States.

Of the many volunteers on the beach 

Saturday was JTF Guantanamo commander, 

Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson.

“It’s simply inspiring to see what these men 

and women have done and accomplished,” 

the admiral said.“This is really going to open 

some doors for them and it’s just an honor to 

be here.”

“This is something I will keep with me for 

all my life,” said Mason. “All the challenges 

I’ve had to overcome to finally get certified 

in Cuba!”

them embark on a journey towards 

fairness, equality and civil rights.” 

During the Civil War, African-Americans 

fought for the Union as free men but served 

primarily in segregated units. On July 26, 1948, 

President Harry Truman passed Executive 

Order Number 9981 to end racial segregation 

in the United States Armed Forces. 

“Truman placed civil rights at the top of 

his political agenda,” said Nichols. “Truman 

was truly a visionary in this area in what the 

world was experiencing.”

This peaceful revolution embraced 

freedom for all American citizens regardless 

of race, ethnicity and religion.

“African-Americans have fought for 

America, not so much for what she is, but for 

what they knew she could be,” Nichols said.

In 1863, William Carney became the first 

African-American Medal of Honor winner for 

his actions on the battlefield of Fort Wagner, 

S.C. While Carney was the first AfricanAmerican to be recognized with the nation 

highest military honor, the list of distinguish 

African-American servicememebers is as 

storied as any other.

 “They have given their blood in defense 

of our nation from Christopher Attucks on 

Boston Commons to the battlefields of Iraq, 

Afghanistan and beyond.” 

Citing the importance of Black History 

month and remembering all those who’ve 

struggled for the dignity of all men and 

women, Nichols said that as we continue the 

march towards equality we must never allow 

the importance of those who came before to 

diminish.

 “We can not forget the struggles from 

all who fought for the rights of its people and 

ultimately paid the supreme sacrifice.” 

 SUDS cont.

 BEEF cont.

 HISTORY cont.

 MEDIA cont.

| The Last Word The Wire | Page 19

the day to make sure things like guards’ 

or detainees’ faces aren’t in the photo and 

different places around the base that we 

can’t photograph: things of that nature,” 

she said, explaining restrictions showing 

faces are in place to protect both the guard 

force and the detainees.

Gardener said her Troopers use the 

media ground rules established by the 

Office of the Secretary of Defense, which 

are made available to all media agencies 

who intend to visit Guantanamo Bay, when 

determining what constitutes a violation.

“There’s also an appeals process once 

we’ve identified something as an OpSec 

violation,” the first class petty officer 

said.

All images and footage identified 

as being on the wrong side of OpSec 

are saved in the event of an appeal by a 

journalist. Once an appeal is lodged, the 

piece in question makes its way up the 

chain of command where it’s reviewed 

by the JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs 

Officer Cmdr. Tamsen Reese and other 

agencies such as the OPSEC offiice 

and Staff Judge Advocate before a final 

decision is made.

“Our MEDREL team is a bridge 

between communities,” said Lt. Col. Don 

Langley, deputy director of public affairs. 

“They skillfully balance the need for public 

openness with the requirement to protect 

certain categories of inofrmation. Their 

hard work navigating this challenge allows 

both the JTF and the press to accomplish 

their missions.”

The pooling water and extreme heat are 

working together - substantially speeding 

up the runway’s expected break-down cycle. 

As the heat makes the blacktop brittle, 

rainwater breaks it away and carries it across 

the runway – both scattering and piling as 

debris. Last week, a public works street 

sweeper filled up four times and the BEEF 

says they could do even more. Now they 

want to stop the cause.

“In order to get that water to run off, 

and get the fines [small gravel] off the 

runway, I want to build a drainage ditch just 

partially along the camp to keep the water 

off things and then at the lower elevation 

we can distribute the water,” said Keiner. 

Aside from the larger unit-wide projects, 

each shop is whittling down their own list 

of smaller individual tasks – like repairing 

electrical circuitry, digging up electrical 

cables, painting the latrine doors and simply 

cleaning.

“We had a long list of work orders when 

we first got here and had commissions last 

week, so things are staying busy,” said Tech 

Sgt. Jeff Bennett, structures supervisor for 

the BEEF. “Right off the bat we’ve shown a 

lot of interest beautifying the camp – making 

it just a little more presentable. We want to 

keep up on the maintenance so we can pass 

on what we have here and in the ELC.”

With just five months left, the 474th

isn’t wasting any opportunity to make sure 

they pass on the brightest torch possible to 

make Camp Justice less temporary and more 

hospitalable.