Around the

JTF

A Sailor from detainee programs distributes a 

book from the detainee library in Camp Five, 

— photo Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

Steelers fans show enthusiasm during a recorded 

shout-out for the Super Bowl at Cooper Field 

Tuesday. The Green Bay Packers will face off against 

the Pittsburg Steelers during Sunday’s game. — photo 

by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

Steelworker 3rd Class Blake John (left) and 

Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Chris Covas 

screed wet concrete for the construction of a k-span 

near the Windjammer café, Feb. 2. — photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan J. Miller

Volume 12, Issue 07 Friday, February 4, 2011

Navy VCNO visits

JTF Troopers

Game On

 Softball season starts

Hot, hot hot!

Learning Latin Dancing

The Kaplan Public Service Foundation hosted 

a beach barbecue for servicemembers of Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo, Jan 31. — photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins
The Wire | Page 2 Trooper to Trooper |

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.

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

Supervisor

Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Leonhard: 3649

 

The Wire

Executive Editor

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel: 3499

Assistant Editor

Spc. Meredith Vincent: 3651

Photojournalists:

Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class

David P. Coleman

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class

Elisha Dawkins

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class

Jordon Miller

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Army. 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

Joint Medical Group, Leading Chief Petty Officer 

Chief Hospital Corpsman

Patrick Updegraff

BACK COVER: Marines from Marine Corps Security Force Company Guantanamo led the 42nd Guantanamo Cuban- American 

Friendship 5k fun run, Jan. 28. — photo by Navy Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins

COVER: The Morale, Welfare and Recreation department’s winter softball league got underway with a series of games, Jan. 24. The 

regular season will continue through the second week of March. — photo by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

All branches within the Armed Forces have 

established Core Values. Common throughout 

our military is the value of honor. Honor is used 

in many different senses. We speak of a person’s 

honor and we talk about giving honor to another. 

A person’s honor is his or her integrity. It is the 

idea of doing what is right in all situations. 

Taking the time to legitimately get to know 

my people is something I take great pride in. 

Getting out from behind the desk and walking 

through my work centers is the best way to get 

to know my people and show them I have a 

direct interest in how they are doing and that I 

truly care about them. Honesty and integrity in a 

leadership position go a long way in earning the 

trust of our troops. 

I have, unfortunately, found through trial 

and error, people will work for you either 

because they want to, or because they have to. 

Leadership is not a perfect science, and I had 

to learn the hard way many years ago how to 

treat Sailors honorably. Just because I was in a 

position of authority, didn’t mean I always had 

the best approach, or I was always right. Earning 

the respect of Sailors was the keystone to them 

consistently producing quality work.

We as servicemembers and leaders strive daily 

to do our best, especially here at Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo. The separation from friends and 

family only adds to the challenges we face in this 

unique working environment. Consistency is 

something hard to find these days, but something 

we should strive to maintain. Troopers should 

know what to expect from us on a daily basis. 

Our leadership style should not change because 

we are having a bad day. Offering sound 

leadership and good counsel is something I seek 

to do at every opportunity. As leaders, we have 

the honor of showing our people the door to 

success while steering them clear of pitfalls and 

distractions that can derail their careers. 

At the end of the day, it is you who must 

live with your decisions and actions. There is 

no worse feeling than being unable to sleep 

at night because of poor decisions made 

throughout the day. A wise man once said 

“The decisions you make today, will impact you 

tomorrow.” Will your choices be honorable ones?

| news you can use The Wire | Page 3

Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

announced today that a detainee died 

of apparent natural causes late Tuesday 

evening. The detainee is identified as 

Awal Gul, a 48-year-old Afghan. He 

arrived at Guantanamo in October 

2002. 

Gul was housed in Camp 6, which 

provides communal living areas for up 

to 20 detainees. He collapsed in the 

shower after exercising on an elliptical 

machine. Other detainees in his cell 

block then assisted Gul to the guard 

station for medical attention. The guards 

immediately alerted medical personnel, 

who upon arriving at the cell block found 

him unresponsive. He was immediately 

transported to the Camp 6 medical bay, 

and subsequently transferred to the U.S. 

Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay. After 

extensive lifesaving measures had been 

exhausted, the detainee was pronounced 

dead.

Per standard procedure, the Naval 

Criminal Investigative Service has 

initiated an investigation of the incident 

to determine the cause and manner of 

the death. 

The remains of the deceased detainee 

were treated with the utmost respect. A 

Muslim chaplain assisted the Joint Task 

Force to ensure that the remains were 

handled in a culturally sensitive and 

religiously appropriate manner. The 

remains were autopsied by a pathologist 

from the Armed Forces Institute of 

Pathology. Upon completion of the 

autopsy, the remains were repatriated.

Awal Gul was an admitted Taliban 

recruiter and commander of a military 

base in Jalalabad. While in Jalalabad, Awal 

Gul associated with senior members of 

Hezb-e-Islami Khalis and operated an 

al-Qaida guesthouse. Gul also admitted 

to meeting with Usama Bin Laden and 

providing him with operational assistance 

on several occasions. 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

continues to provide safe, humane, 

legal, and transparent care and custody 

of detainees. This mission is being 

performed professionally by the 

men and women of Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo.

Editor’s Note: Public questions concerning 

the detainee death should be directed them to 

the JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs office at 

2130.

Detainee dies of apparent natural 

causes at Guantanamo 

U.S. Southern Command

Public Affairs Office

United Nations Evacuates Staff From Egypt 

Voice of America News Service

As the security situation in Egypt 

worsens, the United Nations has begun to 

withdraw its staff from Egypt, with around 

600 personnel and their families being 

evacuated to Cyprus.

Those being evacuated represent U.N. 

agencies, including the World Health 

Organization, the U.N. Educational, 

Scientific and Cultural Organization, and 

the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Spokesman Rolando Gomez said staff 

and their families had been given the option 

to fly either to Cyprus or Dubai.

“The U.N. in Cyprus has made 

arrangements to receive a number of U.N. 

staff and their family members who are 

based in Egypt, who will be temporarily 

relocated to Cyprus,” he said. “We have 

made preparations for up to four U.N. 

chartered flights to land at the Larnaca 

airport.

The first flight to Larnaca from Cairo 

arrived mid-afternoon Thursday, despite 

some calls from within Egypt for the 

United Nations to keep its presence there. 

However, the increasingly volatile situation 

led U.N. decision-makers to call for a pullout 

of “less essential” personnel.

A number of U.N. staff members are 

remaining behind in Egypt to carry out 

essential tasks, so this isn’t a full evacuation 

- it is a relocation of a number of staff who 

will be received by the UNFICYP (United 

Nations Force in Cyprus) members at the 

airport.

In a separate development, the United 

States says more than 1,900 Americans 

have been evacuated since Monday, with 

additional flights planned. 

For those that had spent days of 

uncertainty at Cairo airport, the relief at 

finally touching down at so-called “safe 

haven” airports such as Cyprus is evident - 

and everyone has a different story to tell. 

Reports suggest that around 5,200 

passengers of various nationalities were 

at Cairo airport on Thursday, waiting for 

commercial or government-chartered 

flights. 

An estimated 50,000 Americans live and 

work in Egypt, many of whom have been 

calling their embassy requesting assistance 

to leave.

The unrest is also harming the lucrative 

tourism industry, which attracts more than 

$10 million visitors a year and up to $11 

billion in revenues.

UN soldiers escort UN staff based in Egypt after they arrive in Cyprus’ Larnaca airport, February 3, 

2011. AP Photo
The Wire | Page 4 News from the Bay | 

News from the Bay

525th hosts Pig Bowl

football tournament 

Morale, Welfare and Recreation for 

Guantanamo Bay will be introducing a 

Coffeehouse Series, featuring singer/

songwriter Kari Nicole, beginning today, 

from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Triple C patio.

“MWR has not hosted a Coffeehouse 

Series since I have been in GTMO,” said 

Amiee MacDonnell, community activities 

Coffeehouse Series

begins this weekend

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Cheerleaders visit 

GTMO for Super Bowl

This Saturday, a long-standing tradition 

will continue as the 525th Military Police 

Battalion hosts its flag football tournament, 

the Pig Bowl. 

The first game is scheduled to begin at 9 

a.m. This a double-elimination tournament, 

with five teams expected to compete, said Sgt. 

1st Class Matt Chowen, battalion operations 

chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear 

non-commissioned officer. 

Morale, Recreation and Welfare will 

sponsor a Punt, Pass and Kick competition 

at 1 p.m., with the championship game 

following directly after. 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Super Bowl Sunday will have some very 

special guests this year as the Miami Dolphins 

cheerleaders visit Guantanamo Bay, Sunday 

at the Windjammer Patio. 

Before the game, Morale, Welfare and 

Recreation is scheduled to host a few 

football-related events at Cooper Field, 

starting with a Youth Cheerleading Clinic at 2 

p.m. Following will be a Punt, Pass and Kick 

competition and then a live performance by 

the Dolphins cheerleaders at 4 p.m. 

“Having the cheerleaders here for Super 

Bowl Sunday is one more way people can have 

fun and watch the game in good company,” 

said Amiee MacDonnell, community 

activities director for MWR. “(We) welcome 

the community to come out and meet 

and greet with (them) for autographs and 

photos.”

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Upon arriving to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 

in mid-October, six members of Joint Task 

Force Guantanamo’s J-8 section found 

themselves in a bleak situation: the Defense 

Travel System had more than 100 travel 

vouchers in queue waiting to be paid.

Due to several errors in the computer 

accounting system, processing time was 

taking three to four months – a few cases 

were pending for almost a year.

Many steps have to work in order for the 

process to go smoothly and that was not 

happening, said J-8 Director Maj. Eric Isler. 

The result was Troopers were not getting 

paid and travel cards were going over due.

Rolling up their sleeves, the J-8 staff 

worked to get the back-logged travel 

vouchers current. 

“To get it under control, we had to work 

nights and weekends,” said Isler. “Now, as 

long as users manage it correctly we will be 

able to handle it during our regular work 

week.”

In addition to technical problems, 

Army Staff Sgt. Heather Elias explained 

another wrench in the machine was users’ 

inexperience with the system, especially 

reserve component Troopers.

“DTS is new to most people in the 

National Guard and Reserves,” said Elias, J-8 

non-commissioned officer in charge. “Most 

of the Troopers in those organizations who 

use it are commanders, senior leadership or 

full-time active guard.” 

Most reserve Troopers do not travel 

enough in their military capacity to use this 

system, Elias explained.

Isler said DTS is a digital system 

designed to replace the official, paper travel 

voucher and streamline the official travel 

reimbursement process.

“The Government Accounting Office 

did an audit on the travel system and found 

more than 30 percent of the overall cost the 

government was spending for us to travel 

was being eaten up by administrative costs,” 

he said.

When submitted correctly, Troopers 

should receive payment in a more timely 

manner versus the delay typical of the old 

system.

“The benefit of DTS is that you can 

fill out your authorization and once it is 

approved, you complete your travel, come 

back and file your voucher online,” Isler 

added. “You should have your payment in 

the bank within 72 hours instead of 30 days 

like it used to be.”

Isler said if individuals don’t submit their 

voucher properly or upload their supporting 

documents such as receipts, it will be 

rejected.

“This is what we need everyone to 

understand,” said Isler. “If they travel, make 

sure they have their authorization before 

they go. When they return, they need to file 

their voucher within three days and upload 

their supporting documents and we will have 

them paid within 3-5 days.”

J-8 smoothes out, 

speeds up DTS process

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

director for MWR. “The idea is that the 

venues will provide a small, intimate, relaxed 

setting with live acoustic music that you 

might actually hear at a coffee shop or lowkey bar.”

Nicole is a regionally recorded artist who 

has written and recorded a mixture of pop, 

rock and country music. She has opened for 

Lisa Marie Presley and Bad Company as part 

of their Toledo, Ohio Tour, and her latest 

release, “A Walk in the Park,” has found 

Nicole her own audience.

MacDonnell is optimistic about the new 

event.

“We expect to have a great turnout this 

weekend and continue the Coffeehouse 

Series on a quarterly basis,” she explained. 

“Overall, we want to provide the GTMO 

community with an unique experience to 

relax, enjoy time with friends, and even meet 

new people.” 

The series will continue into the weekend, 

with performances scheduled Saturday, from 

9 p.m. to midnight at O’Kelly’s and Sunday, 

from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bayview 

Patio. For more information, call x4882.

| Features The Wire | Page 5

While ‘Swim At Your Own 

Risk’ is a warning most Troopers 

are used to seeing along the 

beaches of Guantanamo Bay, a 

group of dedicated Sailors stand 

at-the-ready to assist anyone who 

finds him or herself in trouble in 

the water.

“If there is something 

that goes wrong and you lose 

your swimming, snorkeling 

or diving buddy, then we 

would be the central hub to 

call,” said Boatswain’s Mate 

1st Class Lisa Alkire of Naval 

Station Guantanamo Bay’s port 

operations.

Alkire said approximately 

twice a year, port operations 

is called to handle such 

emergencies. When the call does 

come, nearly everything else in 

the water halts. Alkire stressed 

if a person finds themselves in a 

similar situation, port operations 

is the first number Troopers 

should call. The number is 4188.

“We have all the emergency 

contacts on speed dial in order 

to facilitate the rescue efforts,” 

she explained. 

Alkire said the next step is 

to call security, the hospital 

and the command duty officer 

so everyone is aware of the 

situation. 

“If they are on a boat, 

we will get the signs and 

symptoms,” Alkire said. “That 

way we can gauge time and 

have an ambulance meet them 

at the shore.”

Providing emergency 

services is just one piece of a 

very large pie baked by port 

operations. The organization 

also handles such tasks as 

receiving mail, managing ferry 

service and handling all aspects 

of incoming and outgoing 

ships.

“We are the center of 

information for all boats, diving 

and vessel traffic,” Alkire said.

Quartermaster 2nd Class 

Carlton Jones elaborated on 

Alkire’s description.

“Civilian and military vessels 

that come in and out have to 

communicate with port control 

so all the other vessels in the 

bay know who is entering or 

exiting,” Jones said.

In addition 

to serving as bay 

traffic control for 

large vessels, Alkire 

said port operations 

also monitors 

recreational, boats 

noting number 

of passengers, 

destination and 

expected activity 

time is all tracked.

Alkire said the 

bottom line was 

everyone should 

have fun and 

enjoy the amazing 

waterways available 

to Guantanamo Bay 

residents.

“But,” she said. 

“We also want them 

to be safe.”

Port control has eyes on GTMO beaches

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

Quartermaster Second Class Carlton Jones radios instructions 

while Boatswains’ Mate 1st Class Donovan Henderson waves 

to the USCG Vigorous as it pulls up to pier Alpha for refueling, 

waste removal and fresh water. -photo by Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Quartermaster Second Class Carlton 

Jones looks over the manning roster 

Saturday at pier Alpha. -photo by Army 

Sgt. Mathieu Perry
The Wire | Page 6 Mission |

The galleys of Guantanamo Bay were 

acknowledged Jan. 27 with the Capt. Edward 

F. Ney Memorial Award, recognizing their 

performance and dedication to the mission 

here. 

The Ney Award was established in 

1958 by the secretary of the Navy and cosponsored by the International Food Service 

of America to improve and recognize the 

quality of food service in the Navy.

“This is the most prestigious food 

service award in the Navy,” said Lt. j.g. 

Vivian Maner, food service officer. “It 

tells you that you are the best of the best. 

There’s no other food service operation 

better.”

Maner was quick to explain the award is 

a result of a unified team effort. Her group 

is made up of seven servicemembers and 

125 contractors, without whom, she said, 

this accomplishment would not have been 

possible. 

“It’s not just one person (who deserves 

this),” she stated. “We all work together 

to accomplish one goal, and that goal was 

met.”

In fact, Pentad contractors have in 

particular become an essential part of 

what makes the galleys here so unique. 

Maner said the people she works with are 

a constant reminder of why she enjoys her 

work.

“(The contractors) love what they do 

and take pride in it,” she said. “They are 

happy, spirited people and I love working 

with them. They go to heights unknown to 

get any task done.”

Going the distance is a goal Maner 

is continually striving for. When people 

suggest or complain about not having a 

particular item in the galleys, Maner is the 

one to track it down. However, considering 

Guantanamo Bay’s remote location, this 

has proven to be difficult.

“Anything they ask for, I research,” 

she explained. “I will try to get it on the 

island. That’s what separates us from other 

places.”

This dedication to detail is what is 

sending Maner’s team to Illinois in March 

to not only accept the award, but also 

attend several training seminars offered by 

IFSEA. 

“Training is a very big part of this award 

as well,” explained Maner. “Training is 

knowledge and no one can ever take that 

away from you.”

The team will go to the Coastal Culinary 

Institute in Florida and the Culinary 

Institute of America in New York. The 

classes will teach junior Sailors a variety 

of techniques, from cake decorating to 

current culinary trends, to the production 

of various foods.

Looking back, Maner said she is 

overwhelmed by the team’s accomplishment. 

Working in food services for 18 years now, 

she said this was a defining experience. 

“On a scale of one to ten of personal 

achievement, this is a ten for me,” she said 

with a smile. “I’m truly blessed by being 

here. This operation is top notch and I’m 

very grateful.”

GTMO galleys garner grand prize

Ney Award recognizes food service team as best in the Navy

Story by Spc. Meredith Vincent

Ever sat at a table in the 

galley and wondered if the food 

was safe and healthy? Thanks to 

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay 

food inspectors, there is no need 

to worry.

“Our mission is the prevention 

of food-borne illness” said Army 

Staff Sgt. Angela Dominguez, 

non-commissioned officer in 

charge of food inspection for 

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, 

Cuba.

While most food preparation 

for Troopers is relatively standard 

fare, the detainees require special 

considerations for a host of 

reasons. 

“It [detainee food] is not 

much different from the Trooper 

meals,” said Timothy Pfingsten, 

detainee food manager for 

Pentad Corporation. “The meat 

is Halal, so we don’t want to mix 

it up with the regular Trooper 

meals. If they get anything but 

the Halal meat that can be an 

issue.” 

Halal is a very specific and 

strict food-preparation method 

widely practiced in Islamic 

culture. Animals must be 

butchered in strict accordance 

with Muslim law. Also, detainees 

are not served any form of 

pork.

Whether meat or any other 

kind of food, all of it is required 

to meet certain standards in 

order to create balanced meals.

The food safety staff verifies 

every product for quantity and 

quality. They are responsible by 

regulation for surveillance-type 

inspection of all goods stored 

and issued.This procedure 

ensures hygiene, safety, food 

defense and quality assurance.

“I ensure the product looks 

like what it’s supposed to and fits 

the national stock description. 

We’re checking for identity, 

amount and expiration date of 

food,” said Spc. Ria Couts, a 

Naval Station Guantanamo food 

safety inspector. “Only the topquality products are supposed to 

come to us.”

Couts explained that food 

safety also protects children and 

elderly. 

“Children, elderly persons and 

pregnant women are at higher risk 

for communicable diseases such 

as salmonella, E.coli and listeria 

mono cycytogenes poisoning,” 

she added. “No matter the disease 

they will get sick first because their 

immune system is low.”

The food safety team also 

performs daily, weekly, monthly

Inspectors provide safe and healthy food to Troopers

Story and photo by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins

A food handler prepares tuna for the detainees’ lunch meal, 

Jan. 28.

 see FOOD, pg. 15. 

| News The Wire | Page 7

Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. 

Jonathan W. Greenert spoke with Troopers 

of Joint Task Force Guantanamo during a 

visit to the island, Monday. 

Greenert visited the task force three 

years ago and said a return to see some of 

the changes was in order. 

“It was time to come back and see what 

is really the face of America and our battle 

with al-Qaeda,” Greenert said. “This is an 

important mission, maybe not one we talk 

about everyday, but amazingly important.”

Following a command discussion 

with JTF Guantanamo Commander Rear 

Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson, Greenert held 

an All Hands call for Sailors of the task 

force. Greenert said he was impressed by 

the thoughtfulness of the Sailors and the 

questions he fielded during the meeting.

“It wasn’t just about what’s wrong 

with me or my lot – I didn’t get a lot of 

complaints,” he said. “What I got a lot of 

was ‘what’s the future of the Navy and the 

mission here?’”

During the All Hands call, Greenert 

spoke about the repeal of the Don’t 

Ask, Don’t Tell policy and the Navy’s 

implementation plan.

Greenert said clarification of existing 

benefits, training and other polices would 

soon trickle down the chain of command 

Vice Chief of Naval Operations speaks with Sailors

Story by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

Navy-wide.

“This will be a tiered approach to 

implementation,” Greenert said concerning 

the repeal.

Greenert explained tier one will 

involve training chaplains, master-at-arms 

and other such personnel while tier two 

will train leadership, culminating in full 

implementation with tier three.

“No matter how we do this, we must 

always treat everyone with the dignity and 

respect we are all owed,” Greenert said. 

Noting today’s high operations tempo, 

Greenert emphasized the need to deal with 

stress in a healthy manner. 

“The family programs available today 

have come a long way in the three years 

since my last visit,” Greenert said. “Take 

advantage of the programs available to 

you; stress is something you must deal with 

in a healthy manner.”

Following the All Hands call, Greenert 

and his staff toured different detention 

camps around the task force where the 

vice chief spent time talking with guards 

working at the facilities. Many of the 

Sailors who make up the guard staff are 

individual augmentees, typically working 

outside of their rate.

“These guys were motivated, they were 

focused on the job at hand even though 

they were hooked into something that was 

different from what they signed on to do,” 

Greenert said. “This is a joint solution and 

they were very much engaged in that.”

Greenert said one of the biggest 

differences between his past visit and today 

is the integration of the services. Greenert 

noted the different branches comprising 

the JTF seem to work more seamlessly 

today.

“It was a little bit different back then,” 

said Greenert. “They [the Sailors] weren’t 

nearly as comfortable working in a joint 

environment. Vigilance is the key here and 

they’re all doing a great job.”

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert addresses the crowd in the Trooper Chapel at Camp America, Monday. Greenert was last here at 

Guantanamo Bay three years ago. -photo by Mass Communication Specialist MC2 Jason Tross

“This is an important mission, maybe not one we 

talk about everyday, but amazingly important.”

Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert

Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Wire | Page 8 Cover Story | | Cover Story The Wire | page 9

Latin

Fusio

Jan. 20 with a spicy mix of salsa, bachata 

The Windjammer ballroom heated up 

n

and meringue dances. These fast-paced Latin 

dances are performed with a partner and are 

often characterized by sensual hip movement. 

Lessons were provided for all three forms 

but participants were encouraged to bring their 

own style to the dance floor as well.

“Dancing is fun,” said Matt Gonzales, 

dance instructor and administrative assistant 

for Joint Task Force J6 Helpdesk. “It brings 

people together and provides a good way to 

pass the time.”

Gonzales said dancing is about meeting 

people, socializing and learning about a new 

language and culture.

Spc. Damille Flores from the Puerto Rican 

National Guard also taught others some 

moves. She said dancing is about having a 

good time but it’s just one advantage.

“It is good for people working on the JTF 

side,” said Flores. “This is a good way to relieve 

stress, through dance and music.”

Also from the Puerto Rican National Guard, 

Staff Sgt. Ruiz Natanael agreed dancing helps 

to wind down after the work week. 

“Dancing for me serves as fun and 

exercise,” Natanael said.

Gonzales, Flores and Natanael are Puerto 

Rican natives. All three felt dancing plays a 

huge role in their Hispanic heritage. 

“Dancing is a large part of our culture,” 

said Flores. “In Puerto Rico, people dance 

from Monday to Sunday.”

Gonzales explained for him and his fellow 

Puerto Ricans it is important to keep the 

tradition alive. 

“We are here deployed; being able to dance 

is like bringing a piece of home here,” Gonzales 

said. “I am reminded of home dancing with 

my wife,” he reminisced. 

Latin dancing brings a piece of Puerto 

Rico to the troops as well as an entirely new 

experience to others. 

Coming from Suffolk, Va., Operations 

Specialist 2nd Class Chris J. Sheffield with the 

Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security 

Team Miami learned Latin dance for the first 

time. 

“I’m used to country and hip-hop so it 

was cool to learn a new dance,” said Sheffield 

adding he had a great time and he plans on 

returning.

Although the majority of the dancers were 

first-timers, Sheffield said he thought everyone 

did well and had a good time.

“I think tonight was a lot of fun, people 

gave it their all,” Sheffield said. “Through the 

mistakes and challenges we did our best. We 

tore up the dance floor.”

Flores said dancing is beneficial to many 

aspects of life.

“[Dancing] is good for the mind, body and 

soul,” concluded Flores. “I can be me and 

express myself.”

Story and photos by 

Spc. Kelly Gary

(above) Matt Gonzales, dance instructor and administrative assistant for 

Joint Task Force J6 Helpdesk, demonstrates the basic form of bachata at 

the Windjammer ballroom Jan. 30. Gonzales teaches salsa and meringue 

as well as bachata during Latin night.

Dancers practice the salsa during Latin dance night at the 

Windjammer ballroom Jan. 30. Salsa is a fusion of Mambo, 

Guaguanco and other Afro-Cuban folkloric dances.
The Wire | Page 10 Sports |

Six teams took to Cooper Field Jan. 24 

as the 2011 winter coed softball league 

commenced regular season play.

Defending champions the GTMO 

Latinos defeated El Diablo and the 

Magic Man 20-13 in game one. Directly 

following, Juice Box prevailed over USCG 

Gold 13-12 and in the final game, PWD 

easily overcame the 124th MP Battalion 

28-1.

For participating military members and 

civilians, the softball league yields many 

appreciated benefits. 

“We can get out of our minds and our 

jobs,” said Maj. Juan Serrano, left fielder 

for the 124th MP Battalion. “If we win, we 

win. If we lose, we lose. We just want to 

have fun.”

The league also offers a way for 

servicemembers to spend time with 

different branches and come together with 

people they would normally not meet.

“It’s a great opportunity for the Troopers 

to share time with other Soldiers, Sailors 

and Marines,” said Maj. Edward Toro, third 

baseman for the 124th MP Battalion.

Karen Simon, MWR child and youth 

program administrator, likewise sees value 

in time spent socializing with others, 

especially co-workers. 

“Getting together with co-workers 

builds teamwork and morale,” said Simon, 

right fielder for GTMO Crush. “It’s good 

. . . to get to know people outside of work 

and find common interests.” 

Participating also offers an avenue for 

fellowship regardless of occupational 

affiliation.

Batter

Up!

Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class 

Damon Roark prepares to pitch the 

ball for the El Diablo and the Magic 

Man, Tuesday night at Cooper Field. 

El Diablo won 20-9. -photo by Spc. 

Meredith Vincent

Batting for El Diablo and the Magic Man, 

Inteligence Specialist 2nd Class Benny Salazar 

takes a swing. -photo by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

Story by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Daisy 

Estevez, with the GTMO Latinos, hits a 

double against SEMPERLEX Tuesday 

night. -photo by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Jordan Miller

| Sports The Wire | page 11

“I really like the camaraderie throughout 

the league,” said Maritime Enforcement 

Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Snow, third 

baseman for the Rebels. “It doesn’t matter 

the command or what part of the base 

you’re from; we can come together and 

everyone is having a good time.”

Softball regularly sees the biggest 

turnout of the sports offered by MWR 

Guantanamo and this season is no 

different.

“There are three more teams in the 

league than last season, totaling 16 teams 

and equaling more than 320 players,” 

said Alana Morrison, MWR Guantanamo 

sports coordinator.

Last season, games were played four 

out of the five work days of the week. 

Subsequently, with additional teams 

competing, this season’s games are 

scheduled for every day of the work week, 

more proof of the sports popularity at 

Guantanamo said Morrison. 

Whether it’s a hobby, stress reliever or 

a means for establishing or strengthening 

relationships, softball is providing to those 

playing an edifying outlet.

(right) Pfc. Alvin Roman, catcher for SEMPERLEX, 

tags out Chief Petty Officer John Burch near 

homeplate Jan. 24 at Cooper Field. -photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

A runner for SEMPERLEX BCO 11296 makes it safely to first 

Tuesday as the first baseman for the El Diablo and the Magic 

Man reaches for the ball. - photo by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel
The Wire | Page 12 Trooper Focus | 

Approaching 20 years of service, 

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Paulus Wyche 

has achieved a simple but confounding 

goal, especially for military members: he 

has never yelled at anyone. 

“I’m kind of soft-spoken,” Wyche 

explained. “I stay away from the salt and 

use sugar. I’ve never yelled in my whole 

career at (junior enlisted). And for me, it’s 

worked, because I’ve never had to.”

Wyche’s unique way with junior Sailors 

has not escaped the notice of his own 

leadership, said Senior Chief Hospital 

Corpsman Brian Domino, senior enlisted 

leader of the Joint Medical Group.

“HM1 Wyche is a natural leader, mentor 

and all around Sailor who practices what he 

preaches,” said Domino. “Most noteworthy 

is his work ethnic; he can adapt to any 

situation while staying level-headed and 

getting the job done.”

Chief Hospital Corpsman Patrick 

Updegraff, leading chief petty officer for 

the Joint Medical Group, echoed Domino 

and said he has witnessed first hand Wyche’s 

dedication. 

“He has provided career development 

boards and financial counselings to our 

junior enlisted, helping them establish 

both personal and professional goals,” 

Updegraff said. “(He) is most certainly one 

of our most valuable assets here within the 

Joint Medical Group.”

Wyche was inspired to sign up by his 

mother, who had her own dreams of joining 

the military.

“I did it for my mom,” he explained. “She 

wanted to join, but then she had me when 

she was really young ... and couldn’t. So I did 

it for her.”

His decision to enlist was met with several 

deployments over the years, including time 

spent in Dubai, which he describes as his 

favorite experience.

“There are so many different cultures that 

you are immersed into and you see ... their 

way of life,” he said. “It opens you up ... and 

you find more apprecation for it.”

Despite all the places he has been, Wyche 

said Guantanamo Bay has been its own 

unique venture. mostly because of the people 

he sees every day.

“The people we work with are really close 

knit so it’s more like an extended family,” 

he said. “Most of them are younger, so as 

leaders we have a chance to mold them in the 

right direction.”

Boots on the Ground

What are your plans for the Super Bowl?

“Hanging out by my room, 

watching the game on the 

big screen.”

Religious Program 

Specialist 3rd Class 

Jeffrey Lauber

trooper

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 19 years

Hobbies: photography and 

Capoeira, a form of martial 

arts

Education: graduated from 

the University of Maryland

Pet peeves: lack of respect 

for leadership

Advice to junior Soldiers: 

learn as much as you can and 

have a passion for it. 

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class

focus

Paulus Wyche

“Barbecuing and relaxing.”

Spc. Eric Hus Fire Control Technician 2nd 

Class Mike Argenio

“Hanging out with friends 

and watching the Steelers.”

“Having a barbecue and 

some adult beverages. Go 

Steelers!”

Spc. Jonathan Williams

| At The Movies The Wire | Page 13

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

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

Harry Potter & the 

Deathly Hallows

(PG) 7 p.m.

Last Showing

The Next 3 Days

(PG13) 9 p.m. 

Last Showing

Burlesque

(PG13) 7 p.m.

True Grit

(PG13) 7 p.m.

Green Hornet

(PG13) 7 p.m.

Tangled

(PG) 7 p.m.

Love & Other 

Drugs

(R) 

7 p.m.

Harry Potter & the 

Deathly Hallows

(PG13) 7 p.m. 

True Grit

(PG13) 10 p.m.

The Tourist

(PG13) 8 p.m.

Burlesque

(PG13) 8 p.m.

True Grit

(PG13) 8 p.m.

Green Hornet

(PG13) 

8 p.m.

Chronicles of Narnia 

- Voyage of the 

Dawn Treader

(PG) 8 p.m.

Love and Other 

Drugs

(R) 10 p.m.

Green Hornet

(PG13) 8 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Clipper 

Club

Chronicles of Narnia 

- Voyage of the 

Dawn Treader

(PG) 7 p.m.

The Tourist

(PG13) 9 p.m.

want to be a romantic tear-jerker? Does it 

want to be a study on sex vs. love? Does it 

want to be a commentary on this country’s 

flailing health-care system and the dawning 

of the pharmaceutical takeover? Meeting 

Maggie is supposed to humanize Jamie and 

show what kind of mushy soul his has under 

all that testosterone. And it does. But by the 

time it happens, we don’t really care. We just 

want to see them naked again. 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Movie Review

What can you say about a film referred 

to in polite company as “that naked Anne 

Hathaway movie”? I was skeptical going in, 

and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Hathaway 

and her equally easy-on-the-eyes co-star 

Jake Gyllenhaal spend a good portion of 

the movie sans clothes, which seems to 

make what happens in between those scenes 

almost irrelevant. 

To be fair, I will say I was tickled by 

Hathaway. Born of “The Princess Dairies” 

fame, she has stripped (no pun intended) her 

former Disney cuteness and evolved into a 

full-fledged star with serious acting chops. 

Hathaway plays Maggie, a free spirit with 

early onset Parkinson’s. While open about 

her disease, Maggie understandably has a 

physical-contact-only rule when it comes 

to the opposite sex. She’s cautious and 

paranoid and refuses to feel for anyone on 

any profound level. Enter Jamie.

As Jamie Randall, Gyllenhaal has never 

been more charismatic – or as unlikeable. 

I’m a longtime fan of Gyllenhaal, (the actor, 

not the abs) and was disappointed in his onenote performance. His eyes are practically 

popping out of his head as he desperately 

tries to maintain his leading-man status. 

Working opposite someone like Hathaway, 

who obviously doesn’t have to try so hard, 

must be frustrating, but the poor guy needs 

to take a breath and calm down. 

Jamie is a med-school dropout black 

sheep who wants nothing more than to get it 

on with as many chicks as the day will allow. 

A gig as a pharmaceutical rep leads him 

to Maggie, who not only shares his carnal 

instincts, but matches them tenfold. 

The major thorn in this movie’s side is it 

can’t decide which story it’s telling. Does it 

R

112 minutes

Rating:
Page 14 | The Wire Mind, Body & Soul||

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

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

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room A

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

FMI call 2628

LORIMI Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

Church of Christ

Sunday 10 a.m.

Chapel Annex

Room 17

Mind, Body & Soul

What is sleep? Sleep is the 

natural periodic suspension of 

consciousness during which 

the powers of the body are 

restored. In short, sleep is 

when your body and mind heal 

and strengthen. Simple right? 

So why are so many of us 

struggling to get those Zzz’s? 

On these busy deployments 

with so many stressors — 

missing family, shift work, 

working with detainees daily — 

it is difficult or sometimes even 

impossible to sleep. Regardless 

of what rank, position or 

branch you can’t always fix the 

problem. 

So what do you do? You 

adjust the factors you can 

control. This is sleep hygiene. 

Sleep hygiene is the controlling of all behavioral and environmental 

factors that precede sleep and may interfere with sleep. There are 

many simple adjustments you can make starting tonight. 

First, use your bed only for sleep or sex. This means you should 

not be sitting in bed watching TV, on your laptop or even talking on 

your phone. 

Try to keep the room as dark as 

possible. Have a nightly routine. If 

you do the exact routine (i.e. take 

a shower, brush your teeth, then 

sit down in a dimly lit room and 

read) every night before bed, your 

body will respond to these cues and 

prepare itself for sleep. 

No caffeine after 2 p.m. Caffeine blocks key receptors in your 

brain that trigger sleep. Try to exercise daily but not three to four 

Hospitalman Michael Hashek

hours before bed.

 If the problem is you just can’t stop thinking about the stressors 

in your life right now, a great tool is a piece of paper and a pen. 

Write down your top five stressors, make a short list of anything 

important you may have to do the next day and then simply set 

the paper on a dresser and don’t look at it again. This way you 

know all those stressors are 

right there for tomorrow and 

there is no reason to dwell on 

them anymore tonight. 

All these tips are just one 

set of tools to help you have 

more restful sleep. If you find 

you still cannot sleep, you may need to speak one-on-one with 

a professional to find the right tools for you. You can contact 

JSMART at x3566. Thank you and have a JSMART day! 

“On busy deployments with so many stressors, it is 

difficult or sometimes impossible to sleep.” 

| The last word The Wire | Page 15

Lt. Cmdr. Brian Sims, (right) officer in charge of Camp VI, speaks with senior U.S. military officers 

participating in the Capstone program during a camp tour at Joint Task Force Guantanamo. The program 

takes newly selected general and flag officers on overseas field studies to learn about joint and combined 

doctrine, interoperability and key allied nation issues. -photo by Mass Communication 1st Class David P. Coleman

Learning the ropes 

and quarterly facility inspections, ensuring 

clean and safe food preparation conditions. 

Joint Medical Group preventive medicine 

department assists with this task to ensure the 

best sanitation in places where food is stored 

and cooked.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Joshua 

Donnelly explained the main goal of public 

health inspectors is guaranteeing compliance 

of food sanitation with regulations set forth 

in manual of naval preventive medicine 

reference. 

“We make sure proper temperature is 

maintained for both stored and cooked food,” 

added Donnelly.

Maintaining a high level of cleanliness in 

the food establishment is essential to safety. 

This is accomplished through the inspection 

of hand contact with ready to eat foods and 

hand washing. 

“Foods for Troopers and detainees are 

inspected the same,” Donnelly said. “We 

make sure it’s handled safely from storage 

to customer.”

Having the correct temperature will prevent 

food-borne illness and management control 

of cross contamination. 

Proper sanitation is required by all food 

handlers. Each handler receives an annual 

four hour food sanitation class. This includes 

personal hygiene and health requirements, 

using thermometers and keeping temperatures 

logs in addition to inspection and storage of 

food, preparation, serving and cleanliness.

“Inspections are unscheduled in the 

kitchens,” added Donnelly. “We observe the 

 FOOD cont. facility from top to bottom for sanitation, 

appropriate hand washing and food 

handling.”

Together the food departments provide the 

detention facilities and galleys throughout the 

base the safest and healthiest food possible for 

all of their customers.