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Beyond regulation

Army Command Sgt. Maj.
Donald W. Troxler, Jr.
525th MP Battalion Sgt. Majc,


Our regulations spell out what a leader must be, kno-x Jinl do itl h-icp-l:- -sicl
instructions of our duties, responsibilities, tactics, techniq.,ics ri..idL.i'i i c: o:.ducl
and behavior, and even how to perform battle drills.
What the regulations cannot explain to you comes fror,1 i i i i c .i .! !i-lull
of sacrifice; with no immediate and external reward. I gl;ad -I.sli I i -I ,-Ii: :i !. lu
lies within us that shaped the success of my career as a i.ndc'i il In
life in past, present and hopeful future. ,
In 1986, I returned to New London, Conn., and visicld Ir-
dad, who was most commonly referred to as "First Serge.,i i Hc
was U.S. Army retired with more than 20 years of service .,i
Army boxer and a Vietnam and Korean veteran. It wasn I .1 i il!i
I set an azimuth on a career in the U.S. Army that First Se: i.iii
revealed such a profound lesson.
We talked about this great man's life as a Soldier. We .' c lkd
through his career from his days as a boxer to his retire n.ii s .
a first sergeant. Little did I know that I would learn m- _.i-c.i
lesson in becoming a Soldier, and then lose this man of % i- ldm .!
in the same night. You see, First Sergeant taught me abotl c.i! ai
Throughout his career in the military, he secured the Ic.il K_
and minds of his Soldiers through his untiring abil-i- I:
"care" about every aspect of their lives. He told me tl.i
there is not a manual anywhere that can teach this four
letter word with genuine sincerity the ability comes
from within. Only your caring deeds will stimulate the
growth process in you and your Soldiers.
I remember First Sergeant saying "Son, if you want a
to see one of your Soldiers carry you up that mountain .
and move the next one despite opposition, don't give
him a weapon." First Sergeant continued, "The key is
to care without ceasing before you get into the fight."
He remembered distinctively while in Korea -
one of his Soldiers leaving his fighting position after
observing him fall due to injuries from the advancing
adversary. He said it was without hesitation that one of
his Soldiers came to his aid and neither First Sergeant
nor his Soldier could explain why. When asked, the
Soldier simply said, "I had to." A few days later, his
Soldier approached him and said that he had been
thinking about the First Sergeant's question of why
he came to his aid, despite the imminent danger. The
Soldier replied with his most feasible explanation,
"When I saw you fall, First Sergeant, all I could do was i
reflect back on all that you had done for me and my k
family both as a Soldier, man, husband and father; on and .',
off duty. You were always there and so too I had to ti
there. Leaving you out there would have been shameft: I~ ~ -
and my wife would never forgive me for leaving behind .I .
man of greatness."
We ended our conversation with dad telling me that this .
the most important lesson he learned throughout his ca cci
We exchanged hand shakes, and almost like a scene from .n
movie, he passed away that very same night, leaving me 1 i !.
such a profound lesson that has shaped my life and mil:L.- ., i
career: care for Troopers, their families and commlir-
without ceasing and without expectation of reward.
The core of who we are reveals itself in our ability to c.,
conditionally or unconditionally. In business, customer sc' cc
drives the train in the success of major and minor corpol ii -s,,
In our profession, it's caring. Caring lasts a lifetime and .iicci '
the support of our profession for generations.
This is simply leadership beyond the regulation, \ i ih Ihc
viewpoint of unconditional caring through eyes of a mar \- In.: -i ill
lives within the hearts and minds of many he served; I anm p! ':":. :.
that. Unconditional caring, is it in you? The reward is Pi icclis O
PAGE 2 I THE WIRE


JTF GUANTANAMO
Commander:
11..., Pear ,Idn Da..d1 M Th.:.nmas Jr
Joinl Task Force Command Masler
Chief:
"ir Force C ef r ..asier S l Brian T
Scn -n3 tre
Office of Public Affairs:
Director:
a13 j LI Cmor Br:ooCk DevallI 99".s
Deputy Direclor:
rn -, r,,lal Diana Haj nie 99-I
Supervisor:
Arm, 1 SQ[ Shellih Le..1, '?.6-19

The Wire
Executive Editor:
rm-, 1 LI Chris CL ine 3-f.59
Command Inlormalion NCOIC:
Armn S. I 1 Class Mihchael Ghr)ilsL.ri S3 .1
Editor:
"rmni Stalf SQ1 Emil1 J PLIsseil 3'59
Associate Editor:
"rmn, Staff Sql Blair HeMs.lens 359-4
Slall Writers:
"rm,n S l r..licnael Ba3lz S..S9
Arn-)i Sg Emii' Greene 35$.9
Armni Sp.: Ipril de-rnmas l 1
Army Sp.: Da-' Id ,,1:Lean 3..0:-1


Contact us

Editor's Desk: 359I .or 3?.596
Fromn the continental United Sla31-,
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Email: the. ireigltf.Iglmn.. siOUlhc.:.m n id
Online: nt,,,'- fgimno Sjouilncom mil


COVER:
Army Sgt. 1" Class Daryl Savage
is promoted to Master Sgt. during
a ceremony held at Windmill
Beach April 1. .ITF 'GuaLIntnam.:.
Iph:, : L., l, :, Pett., ri,,:ei
Class Picha, i.1 [.' Wo.iff


T .- IF 1I1
I. i I l,, h, 11,,,.r ,,, .....-,,, I I I :,. ,,,I
111 lll, d .l[ Ii I 1 .. r.. I 1 I 'I. I ,,, ...... ,,,

1-,,i -I ..-,1_-,,,, I I, I ,



TROOPER-To-TROOPER FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009

TROOPER-TO-TROOPER I FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009







Joint Task Force
Guantanamo
Commander Navy Rear
Adm. Dave Thomas Jr.
recently held a series
of town hall meetings
March 26 and 28
at Naval Station
Guantanamo Bay to
explain the mission
of the JTF to service
members and civilians
who work at the base.
JTF Guantanamo
photo by Army Staff
Sgt. Blair Heusdens





























U Recent town hall meetings give Naval Station
residents a look at Joint Task Force mission


Army Staff Sgt.
Blair Heusdens
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs


At first glance, Naval Station
Guantanamo Bay seems like any other U.S.
naval base, and in many ways it is. With its
long history, the base has supported naval
operations in the Caribbean for close to
100 years. For the last seven of those years,
however, the island has absorbed a separate
mission, which, because of its nature,
residents don't always fully understand.
In an effort to educate the community
of Guantanamo Bay, Joint Task Force
Guantanamo commander Navy Rear Adm.
David M. Thomas Jr. hosted a series of
town hall meetings to discuss the mission
and operations of the JTF.
"There's nothing that we do that I would
be ashamed to show my mom or my kids,"
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009 I MISSION


Thomas said.
The briefing consisted of a detailed
explanation of the mission of Joint Task
Force Guantanamo and what the Troopers
involved do on a daily basis to support
the mission of safe, humane, legal and
transparent care and custody of the
detainees. The briefing is the same briefing
Thomas gives to distinguished visitors and
media who visit the task force.
"Transparency is our most effective
means of giving people an appreciation
of our various missions and for dispelling
misperceptions about how we perform
those missions," he said.
The recent signing of an executive
order to close the detention facility at
Guantanamo Bay also presented an
opportunity for Thomas to discuss the
important and continued mission of the
naval station. Many people misinterpret


the imminent closing of the detention
facility to mean the naval base will close
as well, which is not the case. Thomas sent
a message to the civilians and military
personnel on base that Naval Station
Guantanamo Bay will continue to exist
long after the detention operations have
moved from the base.
"This base has been of strategic value
for more than a century and it will continue
to be in the future," Thomas explained to
those in attendance.
Thomas also took the opportunity to
thank those present for the support the
naval station continues to give in providing
housing and base support facilities to the
members of the JTF.
"[In my years in the Navy], I thought
I'd seen it done right before, but I've never
seen anything like I have here at GTMO,"
Thomas said. O
THE WIRE I PAGE 3






































Air Force Staff Sgt Brian Wright prepares a boiler for installation at Camp Justice. The boiler will allow Troopers to take
warm showers. JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Sgt. Michael Baltz


Air Force Senior Airman Ryan McClung works on a boiler.
- JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Sgt. Michael Baltz
PAGE 4 I THE WIRE


Army Sgt.
Michael Baltz
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

The 474th Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning unit is
responsible for maintaining the Expeditionary Legal Complex and
Camp Justice in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
The unit, which is comprised of National Guardsmen from West
Virginia, Michigan and Hawaii, is responsible for maintaining
environmental control units (ECUs) throughout the ELC and Camp
Justice.
"We maintain more than 100 ECUs," Master Sgt. Steve Contreras,
the supervisor for 474th HVAC, said. "We perform maintenance on
those, which consists of changing filters, motors and condensation
removal."
The 474' HVAC is also responsible for maintaining seven M-80
boilers. These boilers provide people with hot showers and warm water.
The unit repairs water leaks and maintains the burning systems.
"The bulk of the work we do is preventive maintenance," Contreras
said. "That is mixed in with emergency calls."
In case of an emergency, an HVAC technician is posted inside the
ELC during the proceedings.
Contreras' staff is also tasked to maintain five advanced-design
refrigeration units, which are walk-in refrigerators. The Cuzco trailer
billeting is also maintained by the 474th HVAC for the ELC staff,
which can include lawyers and reporters for the commissions.
The majority of the members of the unit perform the same kind of
tasks in their civilian careers.
"We have a very diverse group," said Contreras. "We have a guy
that works on commercial equipment for the University of Michigan,
we have a guy that works on specialty equipment and I own a
business."
The unit also has a few members who are still in training.
"Our shop is comprised of Guardsmen from various parts of the
nation and for them to work together so well has contributed to our
success." C
MISSION I FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009






Veterinary


services


maintain hil


standard
Army Staff Sgt.
Emily J. Russell
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs


Measuring health standards and ensuring
the safety of foods we eat isn't the first
thing that comes to mind when you think
about Army Veterinary Services. However,
with a critical eye and strict standards,
veterinary services is Guantanamo Bay's
first line of defense against sub-standard
food products.
"We inspect the quality and the condition
of the fruits and vegetables that come to
Guantanamo Bay -from beginning to end,"
said Army Spc. Ria Couts, a food inspector
with Army Veterinary Services. "Even
though [the food] comes from the U.S., we
have to verify the products are arriving in
the same condition as they were shipped.
We ensure quality food for the Troopers,
residents and detainees here."
Whether you eat at the galleys and
restaurants, or purchase your food at the
Navy Exchange, each product is carefully
inspected by a food inspection team.
"The job is important for the financial
interest of the government," said Army
Staff Sgt. Angela Dominguez, also a food
inspector. "We want to make sure they get
what they pay for. If we find a bad item
at receipt, we issue the paperwork so the
government can get their credit, or get the
item replaced."
Couts explained the food is already paid
for by the government when it reaches the
island.


"If we find something bad, our
documentation is important for next year's
contract," added Couts. "That's why this is
so vital."
Dominguez and
Couts hold food
contractors to a
standard of quality
which helps to ensure
the contractor is fair,
and that the food
we get is what we
are expecting not
iID defective or rotten.
"Most items are
supposed to have
at least 50 percent
remaining shelf life at
receipt," Dominguez
said. "We write offa lot
of items for that reason.
If a contract says that
an item is supposed to
be packaged a certain
way, or kept at a


FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009 I MISSION


certain temperature, we have to hold them
to that standard. If an item is frozen, it must
arrive frozen. Shelf life is a big issue here,
we can't just send items back."
Dominguez explained that in the U.S.,
if food does not meet the standard, that it
would simply be sent back to the vendor.
"We can't do that here," she said.
"Either we take it and work with what we
get and receive some credit for it, or wait
for the next shipment."
As a result, food with a short shelf life is
often discounted at the NEX.
"It doesn't mean that the food is
bad," Dominguez added, "but it doesn't
necessarily have the shelf life it would
normally have at receipt."
"Before food is shipped here, anything
that doesn't meet the standard of quality
it is supposed to be sent back," Couts
explained. "But that still doesn't mean that
the [inspection team] caught everything
before it was shipped here. That's why

See FOOD/13
THE WIRE I PAGE 5









































(From left to right) Brian Boyer, Billy Course, CJ Foster and Aaran San Luis pose for a photo with their trophies. Their team,
Will Work for Sets, won the beach volleyball tournament in a championship game over the Assassins on March 29. JTF
Guantanamo photo by Army Sgt. Michael Baltz


Army Sgt.
Michael Baltz
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

Every Saturday and Sunday, 20 to 30
people of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay
gather at Windmill Beach to play and
watch beach volleyball. March 28-29 was a
little different; there was a 12-team double-
elimination beach volleyball tournament.
Will Work for Sets defeated the
Assassins in the championship match 23 to
22 with the help of a different set-up in the
final round of the two-day tourney.
"We switched up our setters, so one
of our setters would have more blocking
opportunities and that helped out a lot,"
said Lt. j.g. Brian Boyer, the team captain
for Will Work for Sets. "It was that, and
having few hitting errors, that allowed us
to win."
Strategy played a key role in their
success. Salim Rahmanzai also noted that
defense is an important aspect of the game.
"You have to play hard defense to win
games," Rahmanzai, the team captain for
the Assassins, said.
The tournament not only allowed people
to show off their skills and compete, it also
allowed people to socialize and have fun.
"It is good to get people together" said
PAGE 6 I THE WIRE


"You have to play
hard defense."
Salim Rahmanzai, the
Assassins captian


Rashed Barkho, a linguist for Joint Task
Force Guantanamo. "While I am away
from my family, I am able to have a second
family here, whether they are a service
member or a civilian."
There are several people like Barkho
who have been playing volleyball for more
than 30 years and were very pleased to have
this tournament.
The tournament led into the Spring
Indoor Coed Volleyball League which
began March 30.
"This tournament helps kick off the
spring league," said Robert Newman, the
sports coordinator for Morale, Recreation
and Welfare. "It allows people to find other
teammates and prepare for the upcoming
season."
If you wish to find out more information
regarding volleyball tournaments or other
sporting events, contact the base sports
office at ext. 2113. 0


Billy Course spikes the ball against
his opponent. We Play for Sets met
the Assassins early in the tournament
on Sunday and met again in the
championship game. JTF Gua nta na mo
photo by Army Sgt. Michael Baltz
LOCAL SPORTS I FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009
























































Army Sgt.
Carmen Gibson
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

This action flick came highly
recommended, and while the laws of
physics are slightly suspended in places,
the draw is so intense that the fulfillment of
natural laws bears little importance.
As an absent father making up for lost
time, Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) kicks off
this brutal thriller by purchasing a karaoke
machine for his daughter Kimmy's 17t
birthday. Liam is immediately upstaged
by Kimmy's stepfather's grander, yet less
useful gift of a show horse. His gift shows
Neeson in an emasculating light before
he turns into the most resourceful, well-
connected bad-ass this side of James Bond,
and moonlights as a body guard for a pop
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009 I MOVIE RECON


songbird.
This section of the high-paced
punchfest merely serves to quickly
transition the audience into believing that
a scrawny disheartened dad with the body
and charisma of Neeson could perform on
the same level as Chuck Norris or even the
Punisher.
In Kimmy's wet blanket of a mother,
Dr. Jane Grey (Famke Janssen), instigates
a crisis when she persuades Neeson to let
Kimmy take offto Paris withherpopularbest
friend. The trip entails two un-chaperoned
girls traveling all of Europe following a U-2
concert series. Mr. Neeson's resistance to
Kimmy's travel plans leads to a predictable
scene which he explains "awareness"
of overseas dangers, because of his job
working for the government. Kimmy and
her father share a tender moment when she


implies that he was often mysterious
to her as a child; often making believe
that he was masquerading as a ninja
or a Jedi. He, rather unconvincingly,
tells her he's just a civil servant.
Upon arrival in Europe, Kimmy 's
overly-eager best friend falls into a
trap, executed perfectly by a "hot"
guy with a "hot" accent, who follows
them to their apartment and informs
his supervisors about the arrival of two
lonely American girls. The kidnappers
arrive during a phone conversation
between Kimmy and her father, after
which, he disturbingly remains calm
and urges her to describe them with
great detail while she is dragged out
of the room screaming. Any parent
would find such a horrific portrayal
of family protection most difficult to
endure.
WhenNeesontraces his way to the
apartment where they were abducted,
he busts out high-rise exploits, edging
his way along a ledge, one apartment
to another; no doubt because French
locks are notoriously hard to pick.
Anyone who enjoys disliking the
French will get their opportunity. With
ex-CIA operative training, Neeson
races around Paris disrupting quiet
snooty life and crashing into a few
buildings and parked cars, searching
for his daughter. He eventually
uncovers a human trafficking ring
led by a mafia-like posse of Albanian
businessmen. The group is behind
his daughter's kidnapping, as well
as countless others, and is backed
by corrupt French policemen and
politicians filling their deep pockets
behind the safety of their powerful
desks.
Throughout the murder, cover-ups
and all around butt-kicking, Neeson
remains fixated on tracking down his
daughter, and his momentum never
lets up. The action and quick pace is
addictive, to the point of nail biting,
air-punching euphoria. And patriots,
be proud of the fact that despite the
total domination of Audi vehicles in this
film, it was the Jeep Cherokee with which
Neeson wreaked the most automotive-
related havoc. Despite any objections
based on implausibility, this movie rocked,
especially by action movie standards. It
was a refreshing break from the confusing
story lines and dumb-wittedjock straps that
plague the blo"\ 'em up, shoot 'em up"
genre of today. Taken has certainly stirred
up a lot of old feelings for classic action
advocates and Bond buffs. O


THE WIRE I PAGE 7


Rated PG 13
91 minutes

*~* **






Page
Missing
or
Unavailable






Page
Missing
or
Unavailable















O o o n r n m t S ,.M -n'h
-f a- p r c y h o'. '
U.S Nav Stto Guantanamo 'Bay

O D ... .' NAl,,. l*
*1L r, & *e











Ole Droopy legacy lives on
Ole Droopy stood sentinel over the sunken remains of the U.S.S. Monongahejla.un t;a,.
at Deer Point, before it was moved in1942. The stone slab beneath the gun_
still remai n in the- back yard of a private residence today. Archive photo, ..
U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay



Ole Droopy legacy lives on


Army Staff Sgt.
Emily J. Russell
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs


Guantanamo Bay is steeped in history
from the battle of Cuzco Wells during the
Spanish-American War, to history in the
making, with the Joint Task Force. The
time between these events is speckled with
curiosities, mysteries and history that isn't
necessarily world-wide headline material,
but is still significant to the naval station's
legacy.
The tale of "Ole Droopy" is a great
Guantanamo Bay controversy with
allegations of power-mad officers and late-
night skullduggery according to local lore
and legend.
Ole Droopy was a deck gun aboard the
U.S.S. Monongahela, a "barkentine rigged
screw sloop" which in non-naval terms -
means it was a war ship with both sails and
an engine and -cic r. or, propeller.
In the spring of 1908, the U.S.S.
Monongahela caught fire while anchored
between South Toro Cay and Grenadillo
Point. While the ship was afire, it was towed
to the harbor area on the south side of Deer
Point, near Officer's Landing.
"The ship was towed to the harbor
because it was easier to try and fight the
fire," explained Navy Cmdr. Jeff Johnston,
public works officer for the naval station.
"The effort was unsuccessful and the ship
sank in only about 20 feet of water."
After the ship sank, one of the deck guns
was retrieved from the charred wreckage.
"During the fire, one of the deck guns
became so hot that its barrel partially melted,
acquiring a pronounced droop," Johnston
explained. "The gun became known as Ole
Droopy."
The gun was placed on Deer Point,
PAGE 101 THE WIRE


directly over the remains of the sunken
ship, as a way to honor the memory of
the Monongahela. It remained there until
1942 when houses were built on the point
preventing base residents from visiting Ole
Droopy.
"In the late 1950s, the Guantanamo Bay
chapter of the Navy League, with permission
of the base commander, moved Ole Droopy
from Deer Point to a 'downtown' location
- currently the site of the Prisoner of War,
Missing in Action memorial," Johnston
said.
At the time, Ole Droopy rested across
the street from the commissary and Navy
Exchange, right in the center of everything.
The old site is currently the Downtown
Lyceum parking lot.
This is where "GTMO lore" begins,
and the line between fact and exaggeration
become a bit blurred.
"The fact is," Johnston began, "in the
spring of 1988, the base commander, Navy
Capt. John Condon and his public works
officer, Navy Capt. John Gallen, decided to
build a POW-MIA memorial at the site of
Ole Droopy. During this construction, Ole
Droopy was removed and taken to the base
landfill with the rest of the construction
debris. That we know to be true."
A popular, though unconfirmed,
rumor about Ole Droopy is that the base
commander and public works officer were
not pleased with the undignified look of
the warped, downward pointing deck gun.
To some young Sailors and Marines, it
became the appendage of off-color jokes
and references. The new memorial was
built in its place as a means of eliminating
the relic.
"The volunteer curator of the lighthouse
museum, Ms. Cookie Johnson, recalled that
no one knew about the plans to remove


the gun until it happened," Johnston said.
"According to her, when word spread that it
was gone, the historical society secreted out
to the landfill to locate Ole Droopy, which
was almost entirely buried.
"They quickly drew up plans to retrieve
it from the landfill," he continued. "The
high school principal even agreed to place
it in the school courtyard if it could be
recovered."
However, Ms. Johnson claimed that those
plans were derailed when an unannounced
visit from a "senior officer" came to her
door, late one night.
"As she tells the story," Johnston
recounted, "she was standing there in her
bathrobe as the officer admonished her to
stop trying to retrieve Ole Droopy lest
something happen to her husband's job.
Ms. Johnson also related that others who
attempted to rescue the gun had similar
experiences."
Currently, the only information available
about Ole Droopy's location is a hand drawn
"treasure map" from one of the members of
the 1988 effort to rescue the deck gun from
the landfill.
"The map shows the approximate
position of the disposal site," Johnston
explained. "But, that doesn't mean it can be
easily located. Since it's buried in a landfill,
metal detectors and ground penetrating radar
will not be able to distinguish Ole Droopy
from all the other metal in the ground. So,
finding this piece of GTMO's past isn't like
looking for a needle in a haystack, it's like
looking for a needle in a stack of needles."
Ole Droopy may never be seen again,
but it's infamous past will live on. Perhaps
someday its significance will be realized
and it will be resurrected from its grave, but
until then, we'll have to settle with legend
and lore. O
NS INFORMATION I FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009







































Army Staff Sgt.
Emily J. Russell
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

Conch shells serve as a nice souvenir
from Guantanamo Bay and also provide
a meal for anyone willing to make the
effort. In order to sustain this resource, it
is important to abide by base regulations
during the closed season.
Conch is a species of saltwater snail
which can vary in size from very small, to
very large. It's not uncommon to find them
while scuba diving or snorkeling, as they
often make their home in grass beds.
Each year, according to naval station
base regulation, during the months of
March, April and May, taking conchs from
the ocean for any purpose is prohibited.
"This seasonisknownasthe reproductive
season," said Mike McCord, environmental
manager for the naval station. "Guantanamo
is special for its biodiversity, both marine
and terrestrial. It's our duty and mission to
be good stewards of the environment."
Reports of Troopers and residents taking
conchs out of season have been coming in
more frequently than in years past.
"A number of conch shells were seen
at Cuzco barracks and it was brought to
the attention of the environmental office,"
said Christopher Creighton, environmental
compliance program manager for the base.
"It's important if you want to keep
your recreational privileges," Creighton
continued. "If you are caught, your outdoor
recreational privileges may be revoked."
In the past, individuals who took conchs


out of season have claimed the conch was
already dead when they found it, with the
shell abandoned.
"It's easy to tell the difference between
a shell that was taken live and a shell that
was empty," McCord said. "Within days,
a shell will lose its luster when the animal
dies. [The snail] is what keeps it shiny, so
we know the difference."
Members of the
naval station receive an
indoctrination briefing which
includes a briefing from the
environmental office covering
the regulations about fishing
and shelling. However,
members of the Joint Task
Force may not receive the same
brief, McCord explained.
According to U.S. Naval
Station Guantanamo Bay
instruction 11015.1, shelling is
permitted at all public beaches.
During the open season, you
may take a total of two live
shells per person, per day. A
live shell is defined as one that
is occupied by the original
animal. Shells occupied by
hermit crabs or empty shells
that wash up on the beach are
not considered live. However,
you may only take one live
Queen Conch per person, per
day. Queen conchs must be at
least nine inches long from tip
to tip or have at least a one-
eighth inch lip.


Taking live starfish, coral, fans or
sponges is strictly prohibited at any time.
Coral, fans or sponges washed up on the
beach, however, are acceptable to take.
Additional information can be found in
the outdoor recreation instruction 1710.10,
or in the fishing and natural resources
related recreation instruction, 11015.1. O
10000V--


FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009 I NEWS & INFORMATION


THE WIRE I PAGE 11

































Preparing for the big dive
Army Spc. Tim Dawson, a paralegal with Joint Task Force Guantanamo, takes his final exam for his open-water
dive class March 31. After successful completion of the test, Dawson will be able to participate in open water dive
training. JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Sgt. Michael Baltz


NEWS & INFORMATION I FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009


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PAGE 12 1 THE' VVIdF







Quality

assurance:

keeping


Troopers

healthy

FOOD from 5
we're the backup before the food gets to
the customer."
In addition to food inspections,
veterinary services also inspects facilities
on base that prepare and serve food.
"We do facility inspections and
sometimes work in conjunction with
preventive medicine to inspect the galleys,
McDonalds, Caribbean Coffee and Cream
and the Windjammer," Dominguez said.
When the team inspects eating
establishments, they observe sanitary
practices, confirm food is properly stored
and ensure that food is stocked properly.
"I love my job," Couts said. "It is
important for the fighting strength of the
Troopers and civilians working here. It's
also important for the families. If we're
not supporting our families, we're not
supporting Trooper morale." 0




Boots on the Ground by Army Staff Sgt. Blair Heusdens
Who do you want to win the Final Four?


Army 2nd Lt.
Stephanie Wormwood


Navy Lt. Cmdr. Navy Petty Officer 2nd
Christopher Blair Class Matt Thomas


Army Spc.
Richard Vega


"I'm from North Carolina.
so I'd like them to win."


"*My team is out. so I
hope North Carolina
wins."


"I'm rooting for UNC."


"I'd like to see Yukon
win."


FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009 I VOICE OF THE FORCE


THE WIRE I PAGE 13










rEUI


Catholic Mass
Sunday: 7 a.m. Confession
7:30 a.m. Mass
Wednesday: 11 a.m.
Spanish Mass


S1rii 1 I I'Im i j i i '1111Iii1
Protestant Worship
Sunday: 9 a.m.
Spanish Protestant
Worship
Sunday: 11 a.m.


Bible Study
Sunday: 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 7 p.m.


LIFE & SPIRIT I FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009


i1


PAGE 14 1 THE WI\IRE












































Deployment brings family together


U Father and two sons share experience of a lifetime


Army Spc.
April D. de Armas
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

For most Troopers, deployment means
leaving family, friends and loved ones at
home to engage in a mission with their
command. Troopers may be gone for a
very long time without seeing their family
at home, and sometimes miss big events
such as birthdays and anniversaries.
For one family, however, this
deployment is different. Army Staff Sgt.
Jose Santiago, with Joint Task Force
Guantanamo, is experiencing something
many Troopers may never have the
opportunity to experience. Santiago has
the pleasure of serving alongside his two
sons during his deployment with the Puerto
Rico National Guard.
Jose has been in the Army for 20 years
and has deployed eight times.
Jose said when he found out his unit
was deploying, they were going to need
more than just the Troopers who were in


his unit.
"When the call went out to other units
my boys volunteered to join me and my
unit on the mission," he said.
Army Sgt. Joseph Santiago, with JTF
External Security, is Jose's oldest son. He
joined the Army eight years ago.
"I wanted to be with my dad," said
Joseph.
Jose said he encouraged his son Joseph
to join and authorized him to enlist since he
was only 17 at the time.
"I liked the Army and I wanted to go to
college," Joseph said.
Joseph, a father of two young boys, said
it is hard to leave them behind but would
not change his decision to deploy with his
father.
Army Spc. Jonathan Santiago, a driver
with the JTF Joint Visitors Bureau, is the
youngest of Santiago's sons. Jonathan
joined the Army three and a half years
ago.
Jonathan said he also jumped at the
opportunity to be with his father.


FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009 I 15 MINUTES OF FAME


Jose said he and his wife did not want
Jonathan to go into the Army. They wanted
him to go straight to college, but Jonathan
wanted to do his own thing.
"I wanted to follow in my father's
footsteps," said Jonathan. "I wanted to be a
military policeman, like my dad."
Jose also has a daughter who teaches
math in Texas. She is the eldest of his
children.
Jose said he raised his children in a
military manner and they never gave him
problems. He said his boys were always
good and he stayed involved with them
growing up.
He said he coached their ball team and
kept close contact with their teachers.
"He was strict growing up," said
Jonathan. "It was ok. We needed it and he
is a good man."
Both Jonathan and Joseph said they are
equally proud of their father and love him
very much. They both said they are happy to
have the opportunity to serve alongside him
and wouldn't have it any other way. O
THE WIRE I PAGE 15




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31


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