Volume 12, Issue 13 Friday, March 18, 2011

Olympic hopeful 

shoots for 

the stars

Repair 

work 

underway

on Cuzco 

roads

A Day in the Life

Following the NEGB - Part 2
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 Defense Logistics Agency 

Document Services with a circulation of 1,000.

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson

Command Master Chief

Command Sgt. Maj.

Mark Porrett

Office of Public Affairs Director

Navy Cmdr. Tamsen Reese: 9928

Deputy Director

Air Force Lt. Col. Don Langley: 9927

Operations Officer

CW2 Raymond Chapman: 3649

Senior Enlisted Leader

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class 

Sally Hendricks: 3649

The Wire

Executive Editor

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel: 3499

Assistant Editor

Spc. Meredith Vincent: 3651

Photojournalists:

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Wesley Kreiss

Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

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

COVER: A detainee in Camp 6 walks up a flight of stairs to his cell, March 16. – photo by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel.

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Senior Enlisted Leader

Command Sgt. Major

Mark Porrett

What is your legacy of 

being in the JTF? When all the 

ceremonies are over, we depart 

Guantanamo and become part 

of the history of our service and 

units. We will all be replaced – 

photos taken down and names 

removed from walls. The 

one thing that remains in our 

Troopers and duty stations is 

our leadership legacy. Troopers 

will definitely remember what 

you did or did not do for them. 

Leaders should ask themselves 

every day: “What did I do to 

improve my Troopers and the 

unit?” 

Some of the most influential 

leaders we have are informal 

leaders. These are the peers, 

support staff, outsiders, coaches 

and even subordinates who 

lead every day. Although not 

part of the formal chain of 

command or NCO Support 

Channel, these leaders are the 

ones who motivate, educate and 

execute orders and directives 

from formal leaders. Troopers 

willingly follow them because 

they want to be like them. The 

military cannot operate without 

them. There is always that one 

person who seems to be the best 

at what he or she does and we use 

them over and over again. They 

rise to become the subject matter 

experts we often over task and 

work the hardest. They should 

also be the ones we acknowledge 

and reward the most.

The formal leaders of units 

have the orders and regulations 

to back them up. It’s easy to 

lead by rank or position, but are 

Troopers following because they 

want to or have to? Leadership 

is not a popularity contest but a 

test of one’s worth. Some formal 

leaders try and fail and others 

grab every minute and own it. 

Often, we take risk and place a 

great deal on our most junior 

leaders. Under the pressure, 

mentorship and drive, some 

become diamonds. Some may 

just take longer. Don’t give up – 

building leaders takes time. 

In a military that has been 

at war for over nine years, one 

of the most detrimental effects 

has been zero-defect mentality. 

This is the surest way for a unit 

to self-destruct and Troopers to 

seek leadership elsewhere. As we 

build leaders, we have to be able 

to take risk -- allow for mistakes, 

fix, educate and drive on. Most 

of today’s senior leaders made 

mistakes, corrected them and 

continued the mission. It was 

our leaders who allowed us those 

growing pains. It is part of our 

developmental process and worth 

our consideration and patience.

I’d ask that your take-away 

nugget from this article be that 

your leadership is your legacy 

and will follow you and your 

Troopers through your career. 

You will be remembered and 

talked about until your Troopers 

leave the military and sometimes 

after. We still talk about past 

military leaders and their impact 

on history. You are writing 

history every day with your 

actions. Thanks for what you 

do and have fun building your 

legacy. HONOR BOUND!
| newws you can use The Wire | Page 3

Japan turns to desperate measures to cool reactors

Voice of America News Service

The Japanese military is using high-pressure 

fire hoses to spray water on earthquakedamaged nuclear reactors in a desperate attempt 

to cool down dangerously-hot fuel rods, as it 

acknowledges that time is running out.

Earlier Thursday, the government used 

aerial water drops – after aborting the plan a 

day earlier because of radiation danger to the 

helicopter pilots.

Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said 

the government had decided it “could not delay 

the mission any further.” But televised pictures 

showed much of the water being blown away 

from the target and the effort was suspended 

after four attempts.

High radiation levels around the plant 

240 kilometers north of Tokyo are making it 

impossible for workers to stay at the facility for 

more than a few minutes at a time, and initial 

radiation readings suggest the first helicopter 

drops had little effect.

Officials said Thursday they soon hope to 

restore electricity to the plant, raising hopes 

that more efficient pumps can be deployed 

to apply water to the fuel rods at the crippled 

plant’s six nuclear reactors.

US advises citizens to leave

The United States and other governments 

have advised their nationals to stay at least 80 

kilometers from the plant – a radius much 

larger than the Japanese exclusion zone - and 

many governments are evacuating staff from 

embassies in Tokyo. Commanders at both 

Misawa and Yokota Air Force Base have 

issued stop movement orders to all inbound 

permanent change of stations personnel at 

their respective bases.

U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned 

Prime Minister Naoto Kan early Thursday in 

Tokyo to express his admiration for the courage 

of the Japanese people and renew his offer of 

assistance, including with the nuclear crisis.

The call came hours after nuclear power 

officials in Washington said they believe all water 

has dried up in the cooling tank at Fukushima’s 

number 4 reactor, leaving the fuel rods exposed 

to the air. If the rods 

become hot enough, 

they can melt or burn 

through their outer 

casing, releasing high 

levels of radiation 

into the air.

Japanese nuclear 

officials said 

Thursday they could 

not confirm those 

remarks, made by U.S. 

Nuclear Regulatory 

C o m m i s s i o n 

Chairman Gregory 

Jaczko. But they said 

water levels in the 

cooling tank at unit 3 are dangerously low.

The prime minister’s office Thursday called 

on citizens to save electricity as it warned of a 

“massive power outage” in the area served by 

the Tokyo Electric Power Company.

What caused damage

Normal cooling systems for the plant 

were destroyed by last week’s earthquake and 

tsunami, which knocked out electricity to 

the plant and damaged emergency backup 

generators.

Officials say they are close to having 

electricity restored, but chief government 

spokesman Yukio Edano warned that even 

then, much of the original pumping equipment 

has been damaged by seawater and will have to 

be replaced.

Three of the plant’s six reactors were 

operating when the quake struck, while three 

others were shut down for maintenance. All 

three of the reactors that were operating have 

since suffered explosions that destroyed their 

outer housing. Officials believe that at two 

of the units, the explosions also ruptured the 

inner containment chambers which protect 

against radiation leaks.

Focus on cooling tanks

But current concerns are focused on cooling 

tanks at all six reactors where used fuel rods are 

stored. For months, these remain hot enough 

to catch fire and release lethal radiation unless 

they can be kept under sufficient amounts of 

water.

Japan has evacuated more than 200,000 

people from a 20-kilometer radius around the 

plant and advised anyone within 30 kilometers 

to remain indoors. Many are huddled in 

makeshift facilities amid frigid temperatures 

and scarce food supplies.

In his phone call to Kan, Obama said the 

United States “is determined to do everything 

possible to support Japan in overcoming the 

effects” of last week’s earthquake and tsunami.

He expressed his extraordinary admiration 

for the character and resolve of the Japanese 

people” and discussed U.S. assistance including 

“military assets with expertise in nuclear 

response and consequence management.”

Aristide’s Return to Haiti Set

Voice of America News Service

Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand 

Aristide is set to return to Haiti immediately, 

despite warnings from the United States.

South African officials say the exiled 

former leader will leave late Thursday, 

arriving in Haiti before Sunday’s runoff 

presidential election.

Aristide was driven from office by 

armed rebels in February 2004 and has been 

living in South Africa. Earlier Thursday, 

South African Presidency Minister Collins 

Chabane said Haitian officials had granted 

the former Haitian president a passport 

and Pretoria “cannot hold him hostage.”

National Security Council spokesman 

Tommy Vietor says the United States 

has “deep concerns” about Mr. Aristide’s 

return, warning it could destabilize Haiti 

before Sunday’s vote.

Vietor also said U.S. President Barack 

Obama called South African President 

Jacob Zuma earlier this week to express 

that concern.

Aristide expressed a desire to go back 

to Haiti after former dictator Jean-Claude 

Duvalier made a surprise return in January.

The former Haitian leader will be 

accompanied by Hollywood actor Danny 

Glover. The actor who starred in the 

“Lethal Weapon” movies and is now 

chairman of the U.S.-based human rights 

group TransAfrica Forum, became the 

latest celebrity to push for Mr. Aristide’s to 

return to his homeland.

Glover flew to Johannesburg, writing 

on the TransAfrica Forum website he 

wanted to show solidarity with the people 

of Haiti and help return a leader they twice 

elected with “overwhelming support.”

Mr. Aristide and his representatives have 

said the former leader has no intention of 

getting involved in politics and Sunday’s 

runoff election, which pits former first 

lady Mirlande Manigat against popular 

entertainer Michel Martelly.

Martelly was initially excluded from 

the runoff until international observers 

reviewed the first-round results and 

recommended he advance to the second 

round instead of the ruling party candidate, 

Jude Celestin. The observers cited fraud 

and irregularities in the first round of 

balloting, which took place in November.

Celestin was later dropped from the 

runoff. The person who wins the election 

will succeed outgoing President Rene 

Preval.

The United States strongly supports 

the current electoral process as critical to 

Haiti’s stability, following years of political 

turmoil and the disastrous January 2010 

earthquake.
The Wire | Page 4 News from the Bay | 

News from the Bay

Walk-to-School day 

promotes kids’ health

Jewish community 

observes Purim

Boots on the Ground

What is the best movie you’ve seen since coming to Guantanamo Bay?

“The Dilemma. It was really 

funny.”

Religious Programs 

Specialist 3rd Class

Jeffrey Lauber

“Hall Pass, it was very 

visually stimulating.”

Air Force Staff Sgt. 

Ramona Garcia

Army Sgt. 

William Myers

“Hall Pass. It’s a married 

man’s dream and a single 

man’s nightmare.”

“Harry Potter 7, because it 

had great graphics.”

Air Force Staff Sgt. 

Archie Gerald

Members of the Jewish community 

here on Guantanamo Bay are scheduled to 

gather at the Rosenthal’s house at 7 p.m. 

Friday evening to observe the Jewish holiday 

Purim.

Purim “is a festival that commemorates 

the deliverance of the Jewish people living 

throughout the ancient Persian Empire from 

a plot by Haman the Agagite to annihilate 

them, as recorded in the Biblical Book of 

Esther,” explained Air Force Staff Sgt. 

Archie Gerald, a Joint Task Force chaplain’s 

assistant. 

For more information – or if you would 

like to bring food to the event – contact 

Nicole at x8379.

In order to promote more activity into 

students’ school day, the Parent Teacher 

Organization of W. T. Sampson Elementary 

School, in partnership with the Health 

and Wellness Committee, is sponsoring a 

Walk-to-School Day March 30 for grades 1 

through 5. 

Parents who would like their children to 

participate in the event but cannot walk with 

them can drop their child off at one of two 

drop-off points: the field next to the Vet 

Clinic parking lot, or at the Sailing Center at 

the Morale Welfare and Recreation Marina. 

Children must be dropped off no later than 

7:10 a.m. The walk will take approximately 22 

minutes and security police will be available 

to ensure the children’s safety.

The school is seeking volunteers to walk 

with participating children in the morning 

and to help prepare and serve a healthy 

breakfast for them afterward. 

Kindergarten students are welcome to 

join, but must be accompanied by an adult. 

Buses will run as usual for students who 

choose not to participate.

For more information or if you are 

interested in volunteering, contact either 

Shannon Fern at x2207 or Marianne Airhart 

at x2220.

Irish Fest kicks off at 

Downtown Lyceum

Morale Recreation and Welfare will go 

green Saturday as the 2011 GTMO Irish 

Festival kicks off at 4 p.m. at the downtown 

lyceum.

Open to all members of the public, 

the festival will begin with free tasting 

during an Irish stew competition between 

O’Kelly’s Irish Pub and the Bayview. 

Come check out Guantanamo Bay’s 

local craft artists, play lawn games from 

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and children’s story time 

with crafts from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

An on-stage Mad Science show is 

scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by 

Stories and reporting by Spc. Meredith Vincent, and 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross

Red Cross assists 

Japan relief efforts

The Guantanamo Bay Red Cross is 

offering assistance to people who have loved 

ones in the Japan earthquake and tsunami 

area. Free Sprint phone cards are available 

to help victim’s families and friends stay in 

touch. 

The Red Cross is also gathering donations to assist with relief efforts.

For procedures and pick up times, contact x2511 or x2512, or email CoganowS@

usa.redcross.org

interactive booths from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 

p.m.

Multiple sporting events are scheduled 

from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., including a kilt dash, 

potato smash, strong wo/man throw, tugo-war, and an Irish-style obstacle course.

Irish stew and shepherd’s pie will be 

available for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 7 

p.m.

Top off the evening with live Celtic 

music from Irish rock band, The Rogues. 

For more information on the Irish Fest, 

contact x4882.
| Trooper Focus The Wire | Page 5

Lance Cpl. Britney Thomas recalls 

very clearly when she decided she wanted 

to join the Marines. 

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve 

always wanted to join [the service,]” 

Thomas, who works at J6 as a telecom 

specialist, said. “They said [the Marines] 

was the hardest service for females to 

get into, and I said, ‘Oh, that’s the one 

I want.’”

Thomas’ willingness to face challenges 

head on has inspired her co-workers and 

leadership, who say she has become an 

integral part of their team. 

“She doesn’t complain about anything 

and if she comes up to a wall, she works 

it out for herself without fuss,” said Air 

Force 1st Lt. Brie Kreutzfeldt, customer 

support officer in charge for J6. “Many 

Troops her age would prefer to be spoonfed the answers to their problems but she 

always uses her resources and comes up 

with her own solution.”

J6 Current Operations Senior 

Noncommissioned Officer in Charge 

Gunnery Sgt. Chet Smith agrees.

“She is on point as a lance corporal 

who can be trusted with responsibility in 

taking care of tasks on her own,” he said. 

“Which is what leaders are looking for in 

their Troopers.”

Only 18 years old when she signed 

up, Thomas has been with the Marines 

for three and half years. In that time, she 

has had one goal in mind: to become a 

Marine drill instructor. A fellow Marine 

has faith in her ability to reach that goal.

“[She] is an extremely capable and 

motivated Marine with limitless potential 

in her career,” said Smith. “She has a 

strong desire to succeed and has been 

setting a superior example every day 

since she arrived in GTMO.”

That arrival was fairly recent, as 

Thomas has only been on Guantanamo 

Bay for two months. An avid snorkeler 

with scuba ambitions, Thomas said her 

favorite thing about her first deployment 

has been the beaches. 

“I want to go scuba diving,” she sighs. 

“I just don’t have the time yet.”

Most of her time recently has been 

spent working out, as yet another challenge 

has been placed in front of her. Thomas 

is determined to leave Guantanamo Bay 

a rank higher. As she climbs from junior 

enlisted into noncommissioned officer 

territory, she has started thinking about 

what will make her a strong leader for her 

future Troopers. 

“Communication is so important,” 

she said. “When I was a Pfc., I didn’t 

have very good communication skills and 

I got in trouble for it. If you have good 

communication with your higher-ups, it 

will help you tremendously.”

Thomas’ higher-ups are very satisfied 

with their Trooper and her skills, 

communication or otherwise.

“Her insight into the radio world has 

aided our telecom shop greatly,” said 

Kreutzfeldt. “She has been a vital asset in 

accomplishing our mission. Her enthusiasm 

is very contagious, keeping often stressful 

work hours light-hearted and easier to 

manage.”

With four months left on the island, 

Thomas is feeling positive about not only 

the work ahead, but also the lessons she 

has already learned.

“When I first got here, there were a lot 

of things I needed to fix,” she explained. 

“From now on, I’ve made it my mission 

that I’m going to do my job thoroughly 

and get it done right the first time. That is 

what will stick with me.”

Kreutzfeldt knows Thomas’ reaction to 

her praise will be subdued.

trooper focus

Lance Cpl. Britney Thomas

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 3 1/2 

years

Hobbies: working out, 

snorkeling

Pet peeves: ignoring 

junior enlisted’s ideas 

Next goal: getting 

promoted, eventually 

becoming a drill instructor

Advice to junior 

Troopers: “It’s tough. But 

you’re not going to die.”

“She deserves all the credit for her 

work,” the 1st Lt. said. “Even though she 

will probably just blush and shrug it off 

as no big deal.”

Kreutzfeldt tells a story that sums up 

Thomas’ no-nonsense approach. 

“The other day I had e-mailed her, 

thanking her for working through a 

problem we’d been having,” remembered 

Kreutzfeldt. “And at the end of the reply 

she simply said, ‘You don’t have to say 

thank you, Ma’am – this is my job.’ That’s 

just who she is. She does her job and is 

happy to do it.”
The Wire | Page 6 | News

PSEC ALERT

DON’T BE A VICTIM. SHRED IT OR REGRET IT. 

Are you aware the JTF has a 100 percent shred policy?

This means that all paper materials including computer printouts, sticky notes, handwritten notes, photocopies, trooper notebooks, unwanted mail, mailing labels and customs forms from boxes or packages, leave 

papers, bank statements, bills and anything work related or that has personal information should be shredded!

A much-needed and welcome change 

is coming to the Cuzco Barracks as the 

engineering assistant and heavy equipment 

shops of the Base Engineer Emergency 

Force began restorative work on the dirt 

road behind the barracks Monday.

“We noticed that the road around Gold 

Hill Galley and Cuzco Barracks has been 

deteriorating so we contacted Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo about repairing it,” said BEEF 

Project Planner and Operations Supervisor 

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Humphrey.

Coordination with the JTF and public 

works department is required anytime the 

BEEF wants to complete work outside Camp 

Justice or the Expeditionary Legal Complex, 

Humphrey explained.

“We had to find out how the project was 

going to be funded and who was going to 

pay for the gravel,” he said. 

Consultation with the JTF and public 

works department was also necessary because 

the BEEF needed to know the locations of 

sewer, water and electrical lines in the area so 

they are not damaged, said Humphrey.

Up until now, the road has been a bumpy 

ride for its travelers.

“Some of its potholes are big enough that 

whenever I take a mule through, it just about 

throws you to the ceiling,” remarked Tech. 

Sgt. Jeremy S. McGill, BEEF equipment 

operator.

Master Sgt. Marcus D. Wilkins, heavy 

equipment shop supervisor, explained 

the road is a safety hazard and endangers 

automobiles.

“I know some of the master-at-arms have 

broken motor mounts on their vehicles from 

hitting potholes,” he said.

Road refurbishment will not only 

generate appreciation from drivers but also 

pedestrians and bicyclists.

“People who ride bicycles, especially at 

night, if they hit a pothole they have a chance 

of really getting hurt,” remarked Wilkins.

Until now the BEEF tackled tasks not 

related to their occupation. This project 

offers them an opportunity to showcase 

their real talents. 

“It gives us all a chance to work more in 

our career field and to do what we have been 

trained to do,” Wilkins expressed.

For equipment operators, the road work 

affords time on machinery they otherwise 

might not get to use. 

“This will give some of our guys the 

challenge of using Navy equipment they 

wouldn’t normally see at their home station,” 

said Humphrey.

The BEEF is borrowing machinery from 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28. 

A job like this involves operating a grader, 

water truck, roller and possibly a dump truck, 

Wilkins said.

The road will be done in sections, allowing 

residents access to their living quarters.

Humphrey wants people to know to be 

flexible, especially with possible detours. 

“Be patient as the road crews get started,” 

he advised. 

BEEF begins road construction at Cuzcos Barracks

Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Jordan Miller

A barrier set up behind Cuzco Barracks to prevent traffic 

from using the dirt road behind the barracks while it 

undergoes restoration. The BEEF is completing the work. 
| News The Wire | Page 7

Even under Infantry standard Puerto Rican MPs lead the way

Hailing from all over their 

island, members of the Puerto 

Rico National Guard came 

together under the standard 

of Company B, 1-296 Infantry 

to augment the 525th Military 

Police Battalion supporting 

operations at Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo.

“We are responsible for area 

security for the entire JTF,” said 

Army Capt. Roberto Dekony, 

company commander.

“B, 1-296 Infantry is the 

first line of defense for the 

JTF,” Lt. Col. Christopher 

Wynder, 525th MP Battalion 

commander explained further. 

“They provide guards at access 

control points for the roads 

leading into Camp America, 

personnel access to camps 

perimeter security and area 

security of the surrounding 

areas of the Joint Task Force.” 

Dekony said nearly 70 

percent of his Soldiers are 

MPs by military occupational 

specialty as well as members 

of the Puerto Rico National 

Guard’s 240th Military Police 

Company. 

“The mighty 240th deployed 

to Iraq in 2006-2007,” the 

captain said. “When the Puerto 

Rico Guard submitted the 

unit for mobilization [to JTF 

Guantanamo], the 240th couldn’t 

be mobilized due to dwell time 

requirements.”

Looking to fill a unit to 

deploy, Dekony said the Puerto 

Rico Guard tasked Bravo 

Company to fill the open slot. 

But another problem arose 

during the mobilization.

“Most of the infantry 

Soldiers didn’t have security 

clearances and there wasn’t 

enough time to get them,” 

he said. “So they took all the 

leadership and MP Soldiers 

they could from the 240th MP 

Company and put them under 

the 1-296 Infantry colors.”

While the captain noted 

the unit’s overall mission, 

the company’s first sergeant 

explained the amount of effort 

required to bring the group 

together.

“The first time we were all 

together was during our initial 

mobilization training at Camp 

Santiago in Puerto Rico,” said 

1st Sgt. Melvin Torres.

While at Camp Santiago, the 

Soldiers sharpened their MP 

skills learning tactics such as 

managing entry control points, 

searching vehicles and the Joint 

Task Force Guantanamo’s rules 

of engagement.

“I’m very proud of all of my 

Soldiers – they act like they’ve 

been working together all their 

lives,” said Dekony. 

From Camp Santiago, 

Troopers travelled to Fort 

Bliss, Texas where a mockup of the Guantanamo 

Bay facilities furthered the 

groups understanding of the 

environment they were about 

to enter. 

“Everything has to be taken 

into consideration here,” Torres 

said. “This is the place everyone 

is looking at; we certainly don’t 

want to be responsible for an 

international incident.”

To that end, Dekony 

said prior to arriving on 

Guantanamo Bay, he spelled 

out his expectations to his 

Troopers.

“We are going to raise the 

bar here,” Dekony told them. 

“Bravo Company will set the 

standard by which all other 

National Guard units coming 

here will be judged against.”

In addition to providing 

security for the JTF 

Guantanamo compound, Bravo 

Company Troopers serve as 

the camp’s quick reaction force 

and provide security during 

the highly visible military 

commissions proceedings.

Both Torres and Dekony 

have deployed to Guantanamo 

Bay in the past and said the 

living and working situation 

improves more and more each 

time.

“Our offices used to be in 

old sea huts,” Dekony said. 

“We actually have an office 

space this time and the living 

conditions for the Troopers 

have improved dramatically as 

well.”

Along with the better 

environment, Torres said there 

is much more for his Troopers 

to do in their off-time.

“Keeping them involved 

and engaged when they aren’t 

working is very important,” 

Torres said explaining with 

Guantanamo Bay’s isolation, 

keeping his Troopers active 

helps them stay out of trouble.

“We help organize 5k runs, 

play team sports and many 

of our Soldiers have taken 

on several volunteer projects 

earning hours toward their 

volunteer service medal,” the 

first sergeant said.

Whether coming together to 

form a winning softball team 

or executing their mission, 

Dekony said the continuing 

hallmark of his Troopers is the 

high level of excellence they 

bring to the fight.

“Their commitment to be 

the best in everything continues 

to impress me,” he said. “They 

are all extremely professional 

and there is no obstacle they 

can’t overcome.”

The company’s battalion 

commander echoed Dekony’s 

words.

“They understand the 

importance of the Profession 

of Arms,” said Wynder. “That 

mind set starts with Captain 

Dekony and first sergeant 

Torres and resonates down to 

the most junior Soldiers in the 

unit. The level of unit pride and 

camaraderie that is displayed 

daily is unmatched.”

Story by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Jordan Miller

Soldiers with Company B, 1-296 Infantry, 525th Military Police Battalion 

conduct a security patrol around Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
The Wire | Page 8Feature |

Story and photos by Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

“He wants markers,” the AWC seems to 

say to the heavens. “Markers!”

Around the rotunda, through a series of 

hallways, the AWC enters the office of the 

operations chief petty officer and asks about 

the markers.

“No markers yet,” the ops chief explained. 

“Don’t know when they’ll be here but they 

aren’t here yet.”

“That’s the way it goes,” the AWC said as 

he walks back to the rotunda. “They ask for 

it, we try to get it for them but it’s never fast 

enough.”

The AWC goes back to the block and 

informs the detainee the markers haven’t 

arrived yet, but he reassures the detainee 

they will be in soon. The detainee is clearly 

not happy with the situation, but the AWC 

can’t really worry about his hurt feelings at 

the moment. Class – Arabic to English – is 

about to start and he has to move several 

detainees into the classroom. 

Part Two

a Day in the Life

Looking over the schedule, the AWC 

calls ahead to the guards on a block to 

make sure they’re ready to move the first 

detainee. Peering through the window, the 

AWC visually confirms the detainee is ready 

to be moved. After a semi-lengthy process 

of moving detainees, class is ready to start. 

More than nine detainees will be taking one 

of several classes offered at the facility.

The classes serve two purposes, the AWC 

explains. Detainees learn to speak English 

while at the same time, the classroom setting 

acts as something of a social hour for the 

detainees.

“Detainees on the block don’t get to see 

detainees (from another block ) unless it’s 

during class,” the AWC said. “So, especially 

when we moved detainees here from other 

camps, some days it seemed like a family 

reunion.” 

Already closing in on noon, the AWC 

dispatches two guards to prepare lunch but 

there’s a problem.

One of the guards explains to the AWC 

that a block refuses to hand over their trash 

from breakfast.

“What?” he responded incredulously.

“They won’t give us their trash from this 

morning,” the guard reiterates.

“Go get the watch commander and see if 

he can talk to them,” the AWC orders.

“Anything, anything they can do to mess 

up the rhythm, to throw a wrench into the 

system, they will do,” the AWC said.

The watch commander goes in and talks to 

the residents of the block. After a bit of back 

and forth, he gets them to relinquish their 

trash. The war of bullets may be transpiring 

on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan 

but inside the walls of the detention facilities 

of Guantanamo Bay is a war of minds and 

wills.

Outside the camp, a guard is sitting at one 

of the several metal tables that serve as a 

At the conclusion of A Day in The Life, part 1 in last week’s edition of “The Wire,” the assistant watch commander on duty had just left a block after discussing 

several items including a cancelled phone call with a detainee. As part 2 of our article begins, the AWC takes a request from a detainee .. one small example of the 

many requests the guard force tries to accommodate each and every day.
| Features The Wire | Page 9

break area. He takes a long pull from a 

cigarette and slowly exhales 

 “It’s not too bad really,” the young guard 

said. His body says he’s all of 19 or so but his 

eyes indicate years beyond his physical age.

“The shifts are pretty reasonable and 

you find ways to deal with the stress,” the 

guard explains. He works out a lot on his off 

time and tries to take advantage of the many 

recreational aspects of life on Guantanamo 

Bay.

“Pretty much anything you can do to take 

your mind off being here, of dealing with 

the detainees and the games they play, you 

do,” he said. 

Crushing out his cigarette, the guard wanders 

back into the camp to try to get on one of the 

three computer stations in the break room. 

Tomorrow a new set of guards fresh from 

across the ocean will arrive for their first day of 

work. Already the break room can barely handle 

the needs of the current staffing level.

“There’s just not enough computers in 

there for all of us,” he says. “Hopefully I’ll 

be able to get on one and try to talk to my 

family back home.” And with the words 

“home” the doors to the camp unlock and 

the guard slides inside.

The remainder of the day is reasonably 

quiet but the presence of someone in an 

Army uniform is causing a stir amongst the 

detainees in this Navy-run facility. “Who is 

he? Why is he here? What is going on?” the 

detainees ask at every opportunity. The AWC 

assures them nothing is going on, nothing is 

changing, there’s nothing to worry about.

Anything that disrupts the status quo 

and presents a new wrinkle in the day-to-day 

operations of the facility, the detainees see as 

a tactical shift on the part of the guards. It’s 

all part of the chess match that takes place 

here every day.

The AWC leaves the rotunda and heads 

back to the main office. Before he can go 

home, he must do a shift hand-off with the 

oncoming AWC. The two Sailors compare 

notes. The off-going AWC, making sure 

every significant detail of the day is passed, 

unclips his duty belt and takes the radio ear 

piece out of his ear. 

Outside, evening colors is sounding in 

the distance and the off-going shift stands 

at attention, saluting the flag. As the music 

fades, the guards make their way to cars or 

stand at bus stops waiting for a ride home. 

They joke and kid with each other in the 

rough and tumble manner familiar to anyone 

who’s ever put on a uniform. Tonight they’ll 

go home, they’ll go to the gym, they’ll hang 

out and try to let the day’s events slip off 

of them. Tomorrow, they will do it all over 

again.
The Wire | Page 10 Feature |

Olympic 

Dreams

This time last year, Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd

Class Brandon Smith had no idea what rugby was. 

Instead he was busy training for his return to NCAA 

football. That all changed when Guantanamo Bay 

Rugby Club Coach Steve Lynch approached him after 

a Morale Welfare and Recreation flag football game 

and convinced him to try rugby.

Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Jason Tross

Navy Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Brandon Smith, recently selected 

to play for USA Rugby and try out for the US Olympic Rugby Team, traps a 

loose ball during Guantanamo Bay Rugby Club team practice Sunday. 
| Feature The Wire | Page 11

“I’ve been playing for only about six 

months now and as far as experience goes, I 

pretty much love it,” said Smith. “I got out 

here with Coach Lynch and he showed me 

everything I need to know. Now we’re trying 

to take this to the next level – the USA Rugby 

team and hopefully go to the Olympics.”

Last month, Smith received a letter from 

USA Rugby Head Coach Al Caravelli inviting 

him to join 19 other hand-selected athletes 

from across the United States as they build 

the first US Olympic rugby team in nearly 100 

years.

“I noticed him while playing flag football,” 

said Lynch. “He had incredible speed and 

fitness. I also noticed his size. The team needs 

someone who runs fast, is fit and strong.” 

The International Olympic Committee 

recently added rugby to the 2016 Summer 

Olympic roster. Now the USA Rugby National 

Team is putting together a group of athletes 

ranging from 18 years old to 28 to fill all seven 

positions on the field. At 21 years old, Smith, 

who normally plays safety on the football 

field, is the perfect fit. 

“A few weeks after first seeing Brandon, I 

mentioned to Coach Caravelli that I had a guy 

we could develop over a period of time before 

the tryouts and get him ready for the 2016 

Olympics,” said Lynch “I thought Brandon 

was someone he should put on his radar.”

That’s just what happened. Smith began 

training with Lynch, turning the football 

prodigy into a rugby prodigy.

“It was basically the football aspect that I 

liked so much,” said Smith. “I’m such a big 

football guy. He got me into it using that.”

Knowing he had a football player at heart, 

Lynch used Smith’s first sport as a means to 

transition him into the new sport.

“He pretty much transfers everything to 

football so I can understand rugby better,” 

laughed Smith. “Now he’s just got me hooked 

on it.” 

Smith trains with Lynch’s Guantanamo 

Bay Rugby Club – a mix of players ranging 

in age from 16 to 30 and representing Navy, 

Marine Corps, Air Force and Army with a 

strong showing of high school students from 

W.T. Sampson School. 

“We are all in the learning stages so we 

just play to the best of our abilities and work 

on whatever Coach is teaching us,” said 

Smith. “We get out here and he pretty much 

pushes through drills and we run around and 

scrimmage each other and have fun. No one 

really played it before, but now that we’re 

getting into it – it’s great!”

For Smith, whether training for the 

Olympics or spending time with Guantanamo 

Bay’s youth, he finds reward in all aspects of 

the game.

“Challenge is the big thing about it for 

me,” said Smith. “It’s the challenge of, ‘hey 

let’s try something else and see what a whole 

other sport is about.’ It’s one I never heard 

of until I got to Guantanamo and met Coach 

[Lynch]. 

The fun is just beginning for Smith. Before 

he can call himself an Olympian, he’ll have 

to prove himself with the USA Rugby team 

at practice. If all goes well, then comes the 

real fun.

“The practice is going to be at Chula Vista, 

Calif. at the Olympic Training Center,” said 

Smith. “After that I could be going to London 

and Scotland if I make the team. I really hope 

I make the team.”

Smith, who still dreams of being a professional football player, 

dodges a defender during rugby practice Sunday.
The Wire | Page 12 At Your Service |

In The Trenches

Petraeus: Afghan transition will have long-term impact

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the transition 

approaches for Afghan forces to begin 

taking responsibility for security in their 

country, actions in the coming months will 

have consequences for years to come, the 

commander of NATO and U.S. forces in 

Afghanistan said Wednesday.

Gen. David H. Petraeus told the House 

Armed Services Committee that each step 

in the process, set 

to culminate with 

Afghan forces 

having the security 

lead throughout the 

country by the end of 

2014, must be closely 

coordinated and 

irrevocable.

“We’ll get one shot 

at transition, and we 

need to get it right,” 

he said.

The coalition 

has increased its 

efforts to enable the 

Afghan government’s 

work to improve 

governance, economic 

development and the 

provision of basic 

services, Petraeus said.

“These are essential 

elements of the effort to shift delivery of basic 

services from provincial reconstruction teams 

and international organizations to Afghan 

government elements,” he explained.

Afghan-led reintegration of reconcilable 

insurgents must be an important element of the 

strategy, Petraeus said, noting that the NATOled International Security Assistance Force 

is assisting Afghan government initiatives, 

including the recently established Afghan high 

peace council and provincial reintegration 

councils.

“Indeed, we recognize that we and our 

Afghan partners cannot just kill or capture our 

way out of the insurgency in Afghanistan,” the 

general said. “In fact, some 700 former Taliban 

have now officially reintegrated with Afghan 

authorities, and some 2,000 more are in various 

stages of the reintegration process.”

All of these efforts are part of a 

comprehensive civil-military approach, he 

explained, in which ISAF coordinates with 

international organizations, diplomatic missions 

in Afghanistan, and the Afghan government 

and security forces.

“We have also sought to ensure that we 

minimize loss of innocent civilian life in the 

course of our operations,” he added.

A recent United Nations study found that 

civilian casualties resulting from ISAF actions 

decreased by more than 20 percent in 2010, 

though the number of coalition forces increased 

by more than 100,000, Petraeus noted. Despite 

the reduction in civilian casualties, he said, several 

tragic incidents in recent weeks prompted him 

to order a review of use of force at all levels 

of ISAF and among attack helicopter air crews.

“I also reemphasized instructions on 

reducing damage to infrastructure and property 

to an absolute minimum,” he said. 

Afghan President Hamid Karzai will 

announce next week the first locations where 

security responsibility will transition to Afghan 

lead, Petraeus said. In keeping with the principles 

adopted by NATO’s North Atlantic Council, he 

added, the pace of transition will be determined 

by conditions on the ground.

“According to the NATO principles, 

transition will see our forces thinning out, not 

just handing off,” he said, telling the lawmakers 

that some forces freed up by transition will be 

reassigned to other locations in Afghanistan or 

to training Afghan army and police forces.

“Similar processes are also taking place as 

we commence transition of certain training and 

institutional functions from ISAF trainers to 

their Afghan counterparts,” he said.

As the security transition unfolds, he said, 

ISAF must focus not just on the year ahead, 

but on the goal of full security responsibility 

transfer by the end of 2014.

“Indeed, we need to ensure that we take a 

sufficiently long view [and] that our actions in the 

Capt. Garrett Gingrich (2nd from left), commander, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry 

Regiment, speaks with Mehirulla Muslim (2nd from right), the Nurgaram district sub-governor, in the 

Nurgaram district of Nuristan province, Afghanistan, on Feb. 21, 2011. – photo by Air Force Chief 

Master Sgt. Richard Simonsen

Karen Parrish

American Forces Press Service months ahead enable long-term achievement 

in the years ahead,” Petraeus said.

ISAF has begun to look beyond 2014 

to establishing U.S. and NATO strategic 

partnerships with Afghanistan, he said.

“All of this is enormously reassuring to 

our Afghan partners, and of considerable 

concern to the Taliban,” he said. An enduring 

commitment by the international community 

to Afghanistan, he added, is important to 

insurgents’ recognition that reconciliation, rather 

than continued 

fighting, should be 

their goal.

Petraeus said 

four funding 

issues are key to 

sustaining progress 

in Afghanistan.

“I am concerned 

that levels of 

funding for our 

State Department 

and partners will not 

sufficiently enable 

them to build on the 

hard-fought security 

achievements of our 

men and women 

in uniform,” he 

said, adding that 

inadequate funding 

for civilian efforts in 

Afghanistan could 

jeopardize the overall mission.

“I offer that assessment noting we have just 

completed a joint civil-military campaign plan 

between U.S. Forces Afghanistan and the U.S. 

embassy.”

Second, Petraeus said, he deeply appreciates 

funding for additional capabilities such as 

surveillance assets and all-terrain mine-resistant, 

ambush-protected vehicles for coalition 

forces. Commanders Emergency Response 

Program and reintegration program funding 

have likewise been instrumental to the overall 

counterinsurgency effort, he said.

Third, the World Bank and the Asian 

Development Bank, he said, are the largest 

donors to Afghanistan after the United States, 

and have been critical to construction of the 

Ring Road and the Uzbek-Afghan railroad.

“We need these critical enabling institutions, 

and further U.S. support for them will ensure 

that they’re able to continue to contribute as 

significantly as they have in the past,” he said.

Finally, funding for development of Afghan 

security forces and their resulting gains in 

quantity, quality and capability is “essential to 

the process of transition,” Petraeus said.
| AAtt Your SService The Wire | Page 13

On The Deck

SEOUL — U.S. military assets continue 

to converge on Japan, hoping to deliver 

humanitarian assistance while being careful 

not to expose servicemembers to radiation 

leaking from the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi 

power plant.

“We continue to monitor the winds closely, 

moving our ships and aircraft as necessary 

to avoid the wind line from the Fukushima 

Power Plant,” U.S. 7th Fleet spokesman 

Cmdr. Jeff Davis said in an e-mail.

“Aircraft and aircrews returning from 

missions ashore are being monitored carefully 

for contamination, and are conducting 

decontamination procedures as necessary 

when it is detected,” he said.

Davis said the USS Ronald Reagan 

Carrier Strike Group flew 29 sorties Tuesday, 

delivering 17 tons of supplies — including 

food, water and blankets — to hard-hit areas 

of northeastern Japan.

To date, 25 tons have been delivered, he said.

Military monitors radiation as Troops deliver humanitarian aid

In addition, strike group aircraft conducted 

three coastal search-and-rescue sorties on 

Tuesday.

The strike group, which is continuing 

operations Wednesday off the east coast 

of Honshu, includes the cruiser USS 

Chancellorsville; destroyer USS Preble; 

combat support ship USNS Bridge; along 

with guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald, 

USS John S. McCain, USS McCampbell and 

USS Curtis Wilbur.

An additional destroyer, USS Mustin, is at 

sea south of the disaster site.

On Tuesday morning, Davis said, 

“sensitive instrumentation on USS George 

Washington pier-side in Yokosuka detected 

low levels of radioactivity from the 

Fukushima plant. While there was no danger 

to the public, Commander, Naval Forces 

Japan recommended limited precautionary 

measures for personnel and their families 

on Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Naval Air 

Facility Atsugi, including limiting outdoor 

activities and securing external ventilation 

Jon Rabiroff 

Stars and Stripes

systems as much as practical.

“These measures are strictly precautionary 

in nature,” he continued. “We do not expect 

that any United States federal radiation 

exposure limits will be exceeded even if no 

precautionary measures are taken.”

The USS Tortuga, with two heavy-lift MH53 helicopters embarked, picked up about 300 

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel 

and 90 vehicles Tuesday in Tomokomai, 

Hokkaido, and was scheduled to deliver them 

to Ominato, on the island of Honshu.

Davis said the USS Essex, USS Harpers 

Ferry and USS Germantown, with the 

embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 

continue en route to the area and are expected 

Thursday.

“Given the radiological and navigation 

hazards on the eastern coast of Honshu, the 

ships will take position in the Sea of Japan on 

the west coast of Honshu, where they will be 

in the best position to launch disaster relief 

missions over land,” Davis said.

New performance evaluation requirements go into effect

Beginning Tuesday, Navy performance evaluations and fitness 

reports must conform to new policies announced in NAVADMIN 

286/10.

The evaluation form “NAVPERS 1616/27 (Revision Aug. 2010) 

Evaluation and Counseling Record for E7 through E9,” also known 

as the “CHIEFEVAL,” is not affected by the new requirements and 

its use will continue as usual.

To more clearly define top-performing Sailors, NAVADMIN 

286/10 changed the promotion recommendation rules for E-5 Sailors and aligns them with E-6 Sailors under the same recommendation requirements. For reports dated March 15 and beyond, “Early 

Promote” and “Must Promote” recommendations combined cannot 

exceed 60 percent of the ranking group. In addition, “Must Promote” 

recommendations may increase by one for each “Early Promote” 

quota not used.

An update to NAVFIT98A — known as “Version 29” — was 

rolled out to the fleet incorporating the new rules. Work stations on 

the unclassified Navy/Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) automatically 

received this new version. For non-NMCI users, the “Version 29” upgrade is available for download from the Navy Personnel Command 

(NPC) website.

Service members should verify they are using “Version 29” by 

checking “About NAVFIT98A” under the help tab in NAVFIT98A, 

which will display “Version 2.2.0.29.”

“Validating reports with the new NAVFIT98A version will help 

ensure commands comply with the new promotion recommendation 

rule and help eliminate common errors in preparing reports,” said Jim 

Price, director of NPC’s Performance Evaluation Division.

Navy Personnel Command

Public Affairs

Servicemembers assigned to various commands along the 

Gulf Coast take the E5 advancement exam. – Photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 1st Class Demetrius Kennon
The At Your Service | Wire | Page 14

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER 

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Sand swirling around the CH-53E 

Super Stallion helicopters provided light concealment for the Marines as 

they touched down to seize the airfield. Weapon-toting enemy fighters 

milled about the area and watched as the unit systematically closed in from 

across the tarmac toward the airport’s facilities. Like cats waiting for their 

prey, they waited patiently for just the right moment to attack.

The Marines and sailors with Battalion Landing Team, E Company, 

2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, were taking part in an airfield seizure 

exercise at the Twentynine Palms Airport, just minutes from the Combat 

Center gate, March 4, 2011. The exercise is part of their preparation for 

their upcoming deployment as Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 

7th Marine Regiment, the ground combat element of the 31st Marine 

Expeditionary Unit. The seizure exercise was part of a larger training 

evolution known as Exercise Pacific Horizon 2011, taking place aboard 

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and the Combat Center from March 

2-7.

Minutes later, the role players attacked. Enemy fighters let loose a barrage 

of simulated gunfire and rocket propelled grenades. They detonated prepositioned improvised explosive devices and suicide bomber vests in an 

attempt to pick off the Marines.

As if operating from a script, the heavily-armed Marines and sailors 

with E Company, 2/7, absorbed the assault, then trained their massive 

firepower on their enemy. Within minutes, the hunted became the hunter, 

and all that was left were dead enemy fighters and several insurgents with 

no other option but to run around the airfield, shouting and trying to evade 

capture and making it as difficult as possible for the Marines.

Airfields are tactically crucial to any fight, not only for their ability to 

base and house units, but also for bringing in supplies to friendly forces, 

Marines seize Twentynine Palms Airport in exercise

Inside the Jar

Marines and sailors with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, in collaboration with local 

authorities, conducted an airfield seizure exercise at the Twentynine Palms Airport, located just outside the 

City of Twentynine Palms, March 4, 2011. – photo by Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt

said Capt. Richard McKenzie, company commander of Co. E, 2/7. This 

is why it is also crucial to practice taking control of these favorable facilities 

from enemy forces.

“We came in to take these buildings; we landed multiple birds on the 

airfield and provided security,” said Cpl. Ryan Graham, the company radio 

operator with Co. E, 2/7. “As soon as security was set, we started pushing 

by squad rushes up to the objective.”

The helicopters lifted off, but stayed close and circled just a few 

hundred feet above the area, waiting for the call to drop down and retrieve 

the Marines as soon as the airport was under their control.

The Marines were especially careful in their approach to the role players. 

In a real world airport seizure, not everyone would be the enemy and not all 

hostile individuals would be armed. Trainers made it tougher to distinguish 

friend from foe, by dressing all roles players in jeans and T-shirts.

The element of unpredictably and free-thinking role players adds to the 

experience and makes it harder for the Marines and ultimately provides the 

most realistic training scenario possible, Mckenzie said.

After sustaining light casualties and taking control of the airport, the 

unit called in a notional medical evacuation, another skill the unit needed to 

practice before heading out to the South Pacific with the MEU.

Being able to perform flawless evacuations is an important skill for a 

battalion landing team, whose responsibilities could include spearheading 

assaults and amphibious landings, Mckenzie said.

“Being on a MEU, you’ll never know what kind of task you are going 

to have,” Graham said. “You could be going to Afghanistan one minute, 

and a week later being doing something like this in another country.”

In less than an hour, all hostile role players were either dead or subdued 

with flexi-cuffs, and the assault was over. McKenzie said the Marines did 

well and were successful in accomplishing their mission.

As quickly as they had landed, the Marines boarded waiting helicopters 

and swooped away into a clear blue sky. 

Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15

(Compiled from AF News 

Service stories) – Nearly 100 

Airmen and three MC-130P 

Combat Shadows from the 353rd 

Special Operations Group at 

Kadena Air Base deployed to 

Yokota Air Base March 12 to 

support relief operations, one day 

after a 9.1 magnitude earthquake 

hit the Pacific Ocean off the coast 

of northeastern Japan. 

The 353rd SOG is able 

to conduct search and rescue 

operations, transport emergency 

response teams, equipment and 

relief supplies, survey and open 

landing zones, provide emergent 

medical care to injured people and 

assist the Japanese government 

and other relief agencies with a 

variety of highly trained support 

personnel for humanitarian 

assistance operations.

Misawa Air Base, in northern 

Japan, was shaken violently by the 

earthquake and suffered minor damage, but no deaths or injuries.

“Our focus is on the recovery of the base and assisting our Japanese 

allies. We will do whatever it takes to get us both on our feet again, and 

I believe we have the best people on the job for this task,” Col. Michael 

Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander, said.

“Our Airmen and family members aided in recovery efforts almost 

immediately after the earthquake,” said Lt. Col. Dwayne Robison, 35th 

Civil Engineer Squadron commander. 

Misawa was spared the brunt of what the earthquake had to offer, 

which was the tsunami that swept ashore afterwards. The tsunami 

devastated large areas in Myagi Prefecture, south of the base..

Now the base is concentrating on two missions: The first is to recover 

operations, and the second is to act as a logistical hub for humanitarian 

relief and rescue workers. The base was assisted in this effort by the 

arrival of 50 civil engineers and 11 generators from Okinawa’s Kadena 

Air Base to restore power the day after the quake.

In addition to an RQ-4 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft from 

Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, a U-2 from Osan Air Base, Korea, was 

deployed to capture high-resolution, broad-area imagery.

“The broad, synoptic collection of large land mass and littorals are 

On the Wing

Airmen respond to Japan quake, tsunami 

Pacific bases quickly contribute capabilities, expertise to relief operations

HURLBURT FIELD (AFNS) -- The Air Force’s only Air and 

Space Operations Center formal training unit recently earned its 

second consecutive highest compliance inspection rating from the 

Community College of the Air Force.

 The 505th Training Squadron here offers nine courses in which 

Defense Department command and control, or C2, enlisted service 

members can earn college credits through the CCAF. Soldiers, Sailors 

and Marines can request transcripts from the CCAF Registrar for 

their service college.

 The formal training unit earned the rating based on the Principles 

of Accreditation from the Commission of Colleges, Southern 

Association of Colleges and Schools. 

College credit available to command and control graduates

of great benefit to decision makers,” said Lt. Col. Spencer Thomas, 5th 

Reconnaisance Squadron commander. “It will aid them in determining 

locations and extent of damage the earthquake and tsunami have left.”

Colonel Thomas compared the imagery to medical X-rays.

“It’s like a personal injury; immediately after the event, one must 

determine where and how they have been injured,” he said. “Our mission 

serves that function..”

At Yokota Air Base, near Tokyo, more than 60 Airmen and base 

residents worked quickly to prepare a previously unoccupied residential 

building for use by transiting relief personnel. The cleanup effort attracted 

not just Airmen, but it also brought in base dependants, young and old.

“It feels good to volunteer,” said Ty Hoopes, a fourth-grade Boy Scout 

volunteer.

Among the first to arrive at Yokota were Airmen and additional 

equipment dispatched March 12 from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 

Hawaii. Brig. Gen. Scott West, 13th Air Force vice commander, traveled 

with this group.

“First and foremost our prayers are with Japan,” General West said. 

“They are resilient and capable. (But) we’ll be there so long as our allies 

ask us to.”

 During 2010, the 505th trained more than 85,000 Soldiers, Sailors, 

Marines, Airmen and coalition forces.

 The nine accredited courses are:

-- Intel, Surveillance and Recon Technician Course, 5 credit hours

-- Combat Plans & Operations Technician Course, 4 credit hours 

-- Network Administrator Course, 3 credit hours 

-- Systems Administrator Course, 6 credit hours 

-- Airspace Course, 9 credit hours 

-- Interface Control Operator Course, 7 credit hours 

-- Personnel Recovery Coordination Cell Course, 6 credit hours 

-- Academic Instructor Course, 3 credit hours 

-- Air Mobility Division Course, 10 credit hours 

Forklifts from the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron prepare to offload cargo Mar. 15, 2011, 

at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The squadron has moved 254 tons of cargo and 329 passengers 

since Operation Tomodachi (“Friend”) started in response to a devastating earthquake and 

tsunami that hit Japan March 11. – photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown
The Wire | Page 16 At Your Service |

Coast to coast

Oldest cutter in Coast Guard fleet decommissioned

Coast Guard News Service

KETCHIKAN, Alaska – The 67-yearold Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet was 

decommissioned during a ceremony Friday, 

March 11, 2011 at Base Support Unit 

Ketchikan.

The Acushnet was originally 

commissioned as a Diver Class Fleet Rescue 

and Salvage Vessel, USS SHACKLE (ARS 

9) for the U.S. Navy Feb. 5, 1944. As the 

oldest ship in the service, the Acushnet 

was crowned “Queen of the Fleet” after 

the decommissioning ceremony of the 

Coast Guard Cutter Storis on Feb. 8, 2007. 

The designation will now pass to the Coast 

Guard Cutter Smilax, a 100-foot inland 

construction tender commissioned in 1944 

and based in Ft. Macon, N.C.

During the course of the cutter’s service, 

Acushnet crews have received the following 

awards for exemplary service: World War 

II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign 

Medal, American Campaign Medal, two 

Coast Guard Unit Commendations, 

five Coast Guard Meritorious Unit 

Commendations, seven Coast Guard “E” 

Ribbons, Navy Occupation Service Medal, 

three National Defense Service Medals, 

two Humanitarian Service Medals, and two 

Coast Guard Special Operation Ribbons. 

Coast Guard repatriates 

86 Haitian migrants 

to Cap Haitien, Haiti

Coast Guard News Service

MIAMI – The crew of the Coast 

Guard Cutter Bear repatriated 86 Haitian 

migrants to Cap Haitien, Haiti, Thursday.

An HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing 

aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air 

Station Miami spotted an overloaded 45-

foot sail freighter off the northern coast 

of Haiti Monday.

The Bear crew launched its embarked 

MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air 

Station Traverse City, Mich., to determine 

the exact position of the sail freighter.

The Bear crew, along with the crew of 

the Coast Guard Cutter Kodiak Island, 

arrived on scene late Monday night and 

safely transferred all migrants to the Bear.

Among the Haitian migrants, there 

were 71 adult males, 12 adult females and 

three children.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, 

migrants receive food, water, shelter and 

basic medical care.

Coast Guard announce DHS Small Vessel 

Security Strategy Implementation Plan

Coast Guard News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection 

officials joined federal, state, local and tribal authorities and private sector stakeholders 

at the Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute, Arlington, Va., Friday to discuss 

and announce publication of the Department of Homeland Security Small Vessel Security 

Strategy Implementation Plan.

The Small Vessel Security Strategy Implementation Plan outlines the methods and actions 

required to reduce and mitigate the potential exploitation of small vessels by terrorists or 

other threats to attack U.S. maritime ports, shores and waterways. The plan maps how 

existing programs and stakeholders will work together, and what research and development 

will be conducted to refine or create needed capabilities for the strategy as a whole, to 

implement the 2008 Small Vessel Security Strategy.

“Approximately 17 million small vessels use our nation’s waters for a wide variety of 

purposes, providing extraordinary economic and social benefits,” said Coast Guard Rear 

Adm. Paul Zukunft, assistant commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship. 

“We have consulted closely with our federal, local and private sector partners throughout 

the nation to ensure that this security strategy is effective while preserving freedom of 

movement for the small vessel fleet.”

“The Small Vessel Security Implementation Plan is an essential part of national resilience,” 

said Thomas S. Winkowski, assistant commissioner, Customs and Border Protection Field 

Operations. “This plan will provide government and private sector stakeholders with the 

guidance necessary to fully implement the Small Vessel Security Strategy and further protect 

our nation from terrorism and other threats.”

The 2008 Small Vessel Security Strategy was designed to enhance maritime security and 

safety by increasing partnerships with the small vessel community and public and private 

sectors in order to enhance maritime domain awareness; leveraging technology to enhance 

the ability to detect and interdict small vessels that pose a maritime security threat; and 

enhancing cooperation among international, federal, state, local, and tribal partners and the 

private sector.

The Small Vessel Security Strategy Implementation Plan was developed in close 

collaboration with DHS components, state and local governments, and private sector 

partners. . The plan provides a flexible framework that will be continuously evaluated and 

modified to address intelligence and evolving threats.
| Mind, Body & Soul The Wire | Page 17

GTMO Religious Services

Daily Catholic Mass

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

Main Chapel

Vigil Mass

Saturday 5 p.m.

Main Chapel

Mass

Sunday 9 a.m.

Main Chapel

Catholic Mass

Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Sunday 7:30 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Church of Christ

Sunday 10 a.m.

Chapel Annex

Room 17

Seventh Day Adventist

Saturday 11 a.m.

Room B

Iglesia Ni Christo

Sunday 5:30 a.m.

Room A

Pentecostal Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

Liturgical Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room B

General Protestant

Sunday 11 a.m.

Main Chapel

United Jamaican

Fellowship

Sunday 11 a.m.

Building 1036

Gospel Service

Sunday 1 p.m.

Main Chapel

GTMO Bay Christian 

Fellowship

Sunday 6 p.m.

Main Chapel

Bible Study

Wednesday 7 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

The Truth Project

Bible study

Sunday 6 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m.

Room C

Jewish Service

Friday 7 p.m.

Chapel Annex

LORIMI Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room A

Mind, Body & Soul

Maintaining your values...

Lt. Cmdr. Marc McDowell even when it hurts

NEGB Command Chaplain

“He . . . who keeps his oath, even when it 

hurts.” -Psalm 15:4b 

Why do we post the Value of the Week on 

signs at intersections in the camps? Perhaps 

it is because we all need to be reminded of 

them. Perhaps 

they remind us 

to uphold the 

oaths we took in 

order to perform 

our duties with 

honor. Yet the 

signs are easily 

ignored. Sort of 

like the trays of 

vegetables in the 

galley. I know 

they have good 

nutrition, but I 

usually ignore 

them because 

the taste is no 

comparison to 

the “fast foods.”

What’s needed 

is something to 

augment the taste. I like to use soy sauce as 

my taste-augmentation of choice; it makes 

everything better – except ice cream. 

Core values stick when people live them. 

Who, in your lifetime, has demonstrated one 

or more of the core values? Many years ago 

I saw this happen very simply and clearly. 

The story is as follows:

In 1975, American veterans were 

returning from the war in Vietnam, starting 

new lives and carrying the values and 

burdens from their time in service into 

their work and personal lives. During this 

time, I worked for retired Navy Chief 

James Martin. Through my experiences in 

the Navy and especially with the “Chiefs” I 

have come to understand much more about 

his sense of values, in both professional and 

personal life.

However, the event in his life that sealed 

his place as one who illustrated a core value 

came after his second retirement. One of his 

prized possessions was his deceased father’s 

’63 baby-blue Chevy Impala. He kept it in 

a storage building and drove it occasionally 

as needed. Several people made offers to 

buy it but he had no interest in selling it 

at any price. He enjoyed maintaining it, 

likely remembering days gone by and good 

memories of his father. 

Jim was suffering from an age-related 

disease process – perhaps Alzheimer’s – 

which caused serious memory lapses. On 

any given day he could be into the afternoon 

before his mind was clear. On one such day 

a stranger came to his door early in the 

morning inquiring about the ’63 Chevy. 

Jim acknowledged that he had it and the 

man made him an offer. Jim accepted. The 

stranger was delighted at both the prospect 

of buying the 

car as well as 

the price. When 

he returned 

later, Jim didn’t 

know the man. 

However, as 

they talked he 

realized the 

stranger had 

come earlier 

and it was 

obvious he had 

given his word 

about selling 

the car, albeit 

in a different 

state of mind. 

Since his word 

was his bond 

he honored the 

agreement, although it was for all intents 

and purposes not his true mind or intention. 

He sold the car that he inherited from his 

father. 

Jim held his honor to be more valuable 

than any possession. He demonstrated what 

the psalmist said a few millennia before: “he 

kept his oath even when it hurts.” 

This example I think puts Loyalty, 

Commitment, Honor and the other values 

in real time. Perhaps you know of examples 

equally or more powerful. If so I encourage 

you to allow them to motivate and inspire 

you, and allow them to do the same for 

those around you: tell your story.
The Wire | Page 18 At the Movies |

Movie Review

“Rango” – both the movie and the 

character – are far from pretty. In a world 

where everything is digitized, greenscreened and glossed over, animated movies 

are getting trampled in the race to stay 

relevant. That is partially what stands the 

ugly, scaly, warted and completely uncuddly 

bunch in “Rango” apart – they seem to be 

drawn more from an animator’s bad acid 

trip than a child’s bedtime story.

The centerpiece of “Rango” is, of course, 

Rango himself. In a vocal performance 

that once again displays his diverse talents, 

Johnny Depp keeps Rango in high-gear, 

talking and thinking at lightning speed, 

willing the audience to keep up. Those who 

are familiar with Depp’s eclectic background 

should catch glimpses of his unforgettable 

turn as Raoul Duke in “Fear and Loathing 

in Las Vegas.” Hunter S. Thompson would 

be proud. 

After his aquarium is thrown from his 

owner’s car and shattered all over the desert 

highway, Rango finds himself in the town 

of Dirt, a sad, lonely Western town where 

there is very little hope and even less water. 

With his bugged out eyes, kinked neck and 

tropical Hawaiian shirt, Rango does a bad 

job blending in with the townsfolk. It’s 

OK though, because Rango the chameleon 

rather likes being the center of attention (get 

the irony?) and soon he is telling lie after lie 

to gain the town’s respect and admiration. 

Fans of spaghetti Westerns are in for a 

treat. There are traces of “The Quick and 

the Dead,” “High Noon,” and even a cheeky 

appearance by Clint Eastwood (ok, it’s really 

the Spirit of the West, voiced by Timothy 

Olyphant in a poncho, but come on...) 

Joining Depp and Olyphant are Isla 

Fisher as Beans, the tough, high-strung 

lizard who’s desperately clinging to her 

daddy’s ranch; Ned Beatty as the wheelchairbound Mayor of Dirt who stinks of polite, 

civil corruption; and Alfred Molina as 

Roadkill, a wise armadillo. But my favorite 

is Rattlesnake Jake. You want something to 

creep into your spine and scare the crap out 

of you? Check out Bill Nighy’s delivery as 

the terrorizing Jake. Pure awesome.

Word on the street is instead of having 

the actors record their parts separately in the 

studio like usual, director Gore Verbinski 

brought the cast together and had them 

dress up in costume. Without a comparison, 

it’s impossible to know whether or not 

the stunt made a difference. But there is 

an energy and zing to their deliveries that 

makes me think it did.

Witty and unusual, snappy and fun, 

“Rango” is overall a trippy theatrical treat. 

Aside from moments of lunacy, (check out 

the owls – I loved the owls) it is deep down 

a story about one lizard’s existential journey. 

Can Rango stop lying about being a badass 

and find the courage to become a hero? On 

a military base, this kind of internal conflict 

rings pretty close to home. 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

PG

 107 min. 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

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

IRISHFEST

*no movie*

Country Strong

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

The Dilemma

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Just Go with It

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Unknown

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Hall Pass

(R) 8 p.m.

No Strings 

Attached

(R) 8 p.m. 

True Grit

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

Hall Pass

(R) 8 p.m.

Country Strong

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Just Go with It

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Unknown

(PG-13) 

8 p.m.

Rango

(PG) 8 p.m.

The Rite

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

The Dilemma

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

Rango

(PG) 8 p.m.

The Rite

(PG-13) 10 p.m
| The Last Word The Wire | Page 19

Members of the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence visited Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo, March 11. — photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller.

Congressional Visit
JTF

The

REMEMBERING THE LAST OF A GENERATION

Flags around the United States, American embassies and military bases 

were flown at half-staff Tuesday, in honor of the passing of the last surviving 

American World War I veteran, Army Cpl. Frank W. Buckles. – photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo.

GETTING IT JUST RIGHT

Master at Arms 1st 

Class Josh Bright of 

Naval Expeditionary 

Guard Force sets up 

his golf ball at the 3 

Club Golf Tournament, 

Saturday, March 

12. – photo by Mass 

Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class 

Elisha Dawkins.

SEASON ENDING JUMPER

The 2011 winter basketball 

regular season came to 

an end Tuesday, March 

15 with games at Denich 

Gym. – photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Joe Ebalo.

FOUNDATION FOR FUN

Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo Seabees 

lay concrete for a 

new servicemember’s 

recreation center 

at Camp America, 

March. 15. – photo by 

Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Joe 

Ebalo.

CHOW TIME

Detainees of Camp 6 sit rapt 

in lunch-time conversation, 

Wednesday March 16. – 

photo by Army Staff Sgt. 

Benjamin Cossel.

WATCHING FROM THE WATER

U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security 

Team (MSST) 91114 patrols the Guantanamo 

Bay coastline, March 10. – photo by Mass 

Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Miller.