friday, september 6, 2002 volume 2, issue 13 gtmo gets ready to...

6 Friday, September 6, 2002

Sgt. 1st Class Arthur T. Martin Jr., 239th MP Co.

Q: What is your mission here at GTMO?A: I work in food service. My soldiers and

I are responsible for the feeding of detainees.

Q: How’s the Army been treating you?A: My experiences in the Army have been

excellent. Being able to adapt, and payingattention to detail are the keys to success.

Q: You joined right out of high school?A: Yes I did. It was either the Army for col-

lege or bust.

Q: So you’re in this Army thing for thelong haul?

A: Yes, an extra pension is a must, thanksto Enron.

Q: Tell us about that drill sergeant patch onyour uniform.

A: Well, I graduated from a reserve-com-ponent drill sergeant school, but unfortunatelyI never went “on the trail” to train troops. Butmy skills were applied every day when Iworked at the #2 “boot camp” program in thenation, I.M.P.A.C.T., straightening out kids.

Q: What was the best thing about that?A: To see that you have made a positive

change in someone’s life. Also having gradu-ates’ moms coming up to you thanking youwith a big hug and a kiss on the lips.

Q: You still think about training troops?A: Yes, I have a strong passion to. Hope-

fully I will get a chance.

Q: What sort of a drill sergeant would youmake?

A: I’m like “Major Payne.” They might notlike me, but they will respect me.

Q: So your soldiers would have night-mares about you.

A: Yes, of course.

Q: So, back in your basic training days,you must have been pretty squared away.

A: I was platoon sergeant until I got caught

eating a Jolly Rancher. They fired me andmade me a road guard.

Q: You must of been in top-notch shapeback then, are you still a PT stud?

A: Yes, of course.

Q: How long can you do flutter kicks for?A: Until my abs develop a 12 pack.

Q: Can you catch bullets with your teeth?A: No. I wouldn’t even attempt to.

Q: Can you dodge bullets like in “TheMatrix”?

A: Negative. If someone starts shooting atme, I’m ducking and moving.

Q: That’s the idea. So let’s say you startrunning back home; where would that be?

A: Baton Rouge, La.

Q: Bad things are going on back there rightnow, with all of these serial killers runningaround.

A: They’d be no serial killers if I was backon the block. Me and the other 239th horse-

men, Leachman, Taylor and Horton, wouldround them up quick, fast and in a hurry.

Q: So you must go to Mardi Gras?A: Yes, of course. I saw my first nice

‘Manuckaduck’ there.

Q: Right...is that one New Balance sneakeryou’re wearing and those two crutches youhave within Army regulations?

A: At ease. I got banged up playing flagfootball. But I’m proud to say that the ‘BlackSheep’ are 5-0 and counting. Ya heard me?

Q: Well now, what do you do in your sparetime?

A: Watch TV, go out to Camp America toconversate with the horsemen and ‘performsurgery.’

Q: Sure...so what’s to come for you onceyou start collecting that Army pension?

A: Law enforcement, on a drug task force.

Q: Do think you’ll be the next Shaft?A: Yes, of course. Our bald heads have that

same irresistible shine to them.

Photo by Army Sgt. Michelle M. Pessoa

Sgt. 1st Class Arthur T. Martin Jr.: checking Pink Palace badges and keeping an eye out for those serial killers.

Next week’s 15 minutes of fame could be you!

Compiled by Spc. Chris S. Pisano andSpc. Joseph A. MorrisThe Wire

Ducking and moving with Drill Sgt. skill

“On the one hand, we’re all working thatday, just like every other day,” said CampAmerica’s assistant camp commandant, StaffSgt. Janet Harnack of the 346th MP Co. “Onthe other, it should never be an ordinary day.”

Such is the balance JTF-160 and JTF-170are striking as the one-year anniversary of lastyear’s Sept. 11 terrorist attacks approaches.One year after hijacked planes full of jet fuelslammed into both World Trade Center tow-ers and the Pentagon; one year after a fourthplane — thought to be headed for the WhiteHouse — was heroically brought down in aPennsylvania field by its self-sacrificing pas-sengers; one year after thousands died andmillions cried and the world’s most powerfulnation was plunged into war with a shadowynetwork of terrorists, it is time to rememberwhat we can never forget.

Certainly the U.S. military has been honor-ing Sept. 11 since the terrible morning itself.Reservists in New York City and Washington,D.C. reported for duty at city armories whiledust and debris were still falling. NationalGuard members went to work establishingperimeters and guarding airports. The Penta-

gon dusted itself off, mourned its dead andbegan prosecuting a war on terror inAfghanistan, liberating a nation from arepressive government and hunting terroriststo the darkest corners of the deepest caves.

And as 2001 turned to 2002, that war grewa rear guard here on Guantanamo Bay. Aremote Caribbean naval base, once near towithering away, is teeming anew with ser-vicemembers again, all working to operate —and protect — a detention operation that notonly keeps our enemies off the battlefield butmines intelligence that saves American livesboth military and civilian.

Nearly 80 percent of the servicemembershere are reservists, with lives uprooted fromjobs and homes and hometowns — theyhonor Sept. 11 merely by calling GTMOhome. So too do active-duty servicemembers,far from Fort Lewis in Washington state, Kirt-land Air Force Base in New Mexico or any ofthe towns across America that active-dutyunits here call home.

Operation Enduring Freedom is the U.S.military’s tribute to Sept. 11. In GuantanamoBay, JTF-160 and JTF-170 are its missionar-

Published in the interest of personnel assigned to JTF-160 and COMNAV Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

GTMO gets ready to rememberFriday, September 6, 2002Volume 2, Issue 13

Story and photos by Spc. Frank N. PellegriniThe Wire

How the detention opera-tion will memorialize theawful day that spawned it.

Members of the 239th Military Police Co. get ready to go on shift at Camp Delta last week. Like all membersof JTF-160 and JTF-170 here, they will honor Sept. 11, 2002 simply by going to work.

See 9/11/02, page 5

A look inside...

Page 6 Page 10 Page 15

Friday, September 6, 2002

NAVSTA still perfect on gridiron

Naval Station came from behind with astrong second half to beat 178th MilitaryPolice Company 23-9 Wednesday night atCooper Field.

178th MP Co. stunned Naval Station withintense defensive play in the first half, playingvery aggressively and taking Naval Stationout of their game plan.

In the first series of the game for Naval Sta-tion, the elusive Navy Seaman AntonioRobinson, who is the quarterback for NavalStation, was sacked for a safety.

“Robinson is hard to stop and he is veryquick,” said Army Staff Sgt Joseph K. Ronan.

But 178th MP Co. sacked him three timesin the first half.

Naval Station seemed shocked. The 178thwas the first team to give them real competi-tion in this flag football season. They werebeing tested. Naval Station was on the brink oflosing their perfect season. This was unfamil-iar territory for them.

But Naval Station regrouped from that firstseries and scored on a sweep to take a 7-2 lead.

But the 178th’s “wishbone” offense, withits fast-running quarterback option plays, hadNaval Station on their heels.

A quarterback pitch to Army Staff Sgt.Tony Williams set up the 178 MP Co.’s firsttouchdown of the game, putting them aheadby a score of 9-7.

Then their defense stopped Naval Stationfrom coming down the field and scoring.Naval Station was forced to punt the footballback to the 178th, which returned it for 37

yards. That put them in good field position andgave them a chance to score before the half.

Williams ran to the left to break a 20-yardplay. That gave the MPs a first down and goalto go. With the clock running down, 178th MPCo. was threatening to put points on the board.

But Naval Station’s defense picked up andprevented them from scoring on their next twoplays, and soon the 178th was in danger ofrunning out of time.

They came out of the huddle with no time-outs left, and by the time they got to the line ofscrimmage and began to call an audible thereferee had blown the whistle. The first halfcame to an end.

178th MP Co. knew they had just let agolden opportunity slip through their hands.They hadn’t used the game clock wisely. Thismistake could haunt them later in the game.

But they were still ahead 9-7, the first timeNaval Station had found themselves on thelosing side at halftime. Would it be enough?

“Naval Station is a tough team and youhave to score as many points as you can tobeat them,” said Ronan.

“To maintain the lead against Naval Stationwe have to stay rock-steady,” said the 178thcoach, Army Spc. George Lallas, at halftime.“We need to keep the pressure up and keephitting them hard. I was pleased with our per-formance in the first half. We were able tominimize our mistakes and we need to con-tinue play like this the whole game.”

Naval Station was only down by two andthey didn’t look worried on the sidelines.

“We need to hold them on defense and stopthem from scoring. I need to stop throwinginterceptions,” said Robinson. “They are agood team. This is the first test of the seasonfor Naval Station. We plan to air the ball outand hit them hard in the second half.”

Even though 178th MP Co. didn’t score atthe end of the first half, they would have thefootball at the start of the second half, and feltas though they were still in control of thegame. Their offense was clicking on all cylin-ders — until Robinson intercepted the ball.

This play shifted the momentum of the gameand seemed to light a fire under Naval Station.Robinson took charge and took his teamdownfield. But as they were in the red zone,Robinson throw an ill-advised pass that wasalmost picked off by the 178th.

Robinson maintained his composure andon the next play he threw a strike to NavyPetty Officer 2nd Class Bill Goodwin for atouchdown.

“Catching that touchdown felt good, and itput us back on top. They were taking us out ofour game plan,” said Goodwin. “Their quickoption offense threw us off on defense but wewere able to adjust.”

Now up 14-9, Naval Station was back infamiliar territory. The 178th squad wasn’t ableto score on its next two drives, and Robinsonwas now on top of his game as he was pickingapart the defense with precision passing.

“We had to use our two tight-end offense toopen up the field,” said Goodwin.

Robinson was able to keep avoiding theconstant pressure 178th MP Co. put on himand find the open man downfield. And whenRobinson threw a 22-yard pass to Navy PettyOfficer 2nd Class Jay S. Wojcik, it sealed thevictory and kept Naval Station’s undefeatedseason alive. Their record is now 7-0 and firstplace in their division.

Flag Football Standings

CRUNCHING CENTRALNaval Station 7-0239th MP Co. 6-0178th MP Co. 4-2NCTAMS 4-2Hood Ratz 3-2MIUW 204 2-3Cactus Curtain 1-5Wildcats 0-6

MONSTROUS MIDWEST Hospital 5-1MCSF Co. 5-2Buckeyes 4-2Security 3-4Chucks 2-4War Eagles 2-4Gun Runners 2-4JTF-170 2-5Angry Beavers 0-6

Story and photos bySpc. Jose A. MartinezThe Wire

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jay S. Wojcik blows bytwo defenders from 178th MP Co. for a 19-yard gain.

Navy Seaman Antonio Robinson eludes the sackand runs for 15 yards in a win over 178th MP Co.


Chaplains’ Corner

Provost Marshal’s Office

I’d read somewhere that at the Sept. 11commemorations in New York City, formermayor Rudy Giuliani will be reading AbrahamLincoln’s Gettysburg Address. I found thatvery interesting. So I started researching it, andcame across this letter — a man named DavidWills’ invitation to President Lincoln to comeand deliver “a few appropriate remarks” toGettysburg to dedicate the cemetery that hadbeen built there. As we ask ourselves, whycommemorate? I think Wills explains it verywell.

“It will be a source of great gratification tothe many widows and orphans that have beenmade almost friendless by the Great Battlehere, to have you here personally; and it willkindle anew in the breasts of the Comrades ofthese brave dead, who are now in the tentedfield or nobly meeting the foe in the front, aconfidence that they who sleep in death on theBattle Field are not forgotten by those highest

in Authority; and they will feel that, shouldtheir fate be the same, their remains will not beuncared for.”

Lincoln, of course, accepted the invitationand delivered on November 19, 1863 one ofthe most famous speeches in history, all themore remarkable for its brevity and concisebeauty. As Lincoln said:

“It is...for us to be here dedicated to thegreat task remaining before us — that fromthese honored dead we take increased devo-tion to that cause for which they gave the lastfull measure of devotion — that we herehighly resolve that these dead shall not havedied in vain — that this nation, under God,shall have a new birth of freedom — and thatgovernment of the people, by the people, forthe people, shall not perish from the earth.”

— Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) RaymondA. Tetreault.

Time is passing quickly for JTF-160 unitsdeployed at GTMO, but a predictable pattern ofdaily routines has taken over. It can be easy attimes to lose focus of our mission, which is toguard and detain those who would otherwise befree to plan and wage terrorist attacks against theU.S.

Whether you realize it or not, everyone here— mechanics, bus drivers, infantry, militarypolice, and clerks — has an important job in sup-port of the war against terrorism. We are not inAfghanistan, but it doesn't make our jobs any lessimportant or dangerous.

A lucky few have the privilege from time totime of enjoying their weekends off by relaxingat one of the base clubs over a few drinks. Butconsuming alcoholic beverages at GTMO is aprivilege not to be abused.

It is disconcerting to find that Drunk and Dis-orderly behavior still occurs among JTF-160 per-sonnel, even those who have been here for a

while. We have stated in this column many timesin the past that this is in direct violation of PolicyLetter #1: Alcohol Consumption, andNAVBASE regulations.

Regardless of your branch of service, if youare a member of JTF-160 who is arrested for aDrunk & Disorderly incident and found to be inviolation of the Alcohol Consumption policy, Ican guarantee you that you will face UCMJ pro-ceedings.

The main reason we are here is to do our job.With all due consideration, our mission comesfirst and everything else is secondary. Rememberthat the reputation you make for yourself whileyou are here will follow you to your next assign-ment.

— Maj. Gary J. Cipolletta, DeputyProvost Marshal, JTF-160

Lessons from Gettysburg

JTF-160 Commanding Gen. Rick Baccus

JTF-160 CommandCommander:Brig. Gen. Rick BaccusDeputy Commander:Navy Capt. Robert A. BuehnPublic Affairs Officer:Lt. Col. Joseph A. HoeyJoint Information Bureau Director:Army Maj. Donna L. ScottOIC, Command Information:Army Maj. Sandra SteinbergOnline at:www.nsgtmo.navy.mil/JTF-160/index.htm

The Wire StaffNCOIC:Sgt. Maj. Daniel M. PolinskiEditor-in-Chief:Sgt. Michelle M. PessoaNews Editor: Spc. Frank N. PellegriniStaff writers and design team:Spc. Chris S. PisanoSpc. Joseph A. MorrisSpc. Michelle M. ScsepkoSpc. Jose A. MartinezPfc. Jean-Carl BertinContact us:5239/5241 (Local phone) 5246 (Local fax)Joint Information Bureau / Pink Palace

The Wire is produced by the 361st Public Affairs Detach-ment (PCH) assigned to the Joint Information Bureau atJTF-160. This publication is printed under the provisionsprovided in Army Regulation 360-1 and does not reflect theviews of the Department of Defense or the personnelwithin.

A message from Chief of Staff of theArmy, Gen. Eric K. Shinseki:

On 11 September, 2001, without warn-ing or reason, the forces of hatred andfear attacked America. We all rememberthe pain and anger we felt in the after-math of those attacks as we honoredfallen comrades, colleagues, dearfriends, and loved ones who had beenlost. Some who survived will live in agonyfor the rest of their lives. We embraced allof their families during the pain of theirbereavement. In remembrance of the sac-rifices made that day, we will pause on 11September, 2002 for a moment of silenceand quiet reflection at each installationand garrison throughout the Army. Thetimes for this observance will be coordi-nated by each major command.

Our nation has provided and contin-ues to provide the world leadershipneeded to bring to justice those responsi-ble for these terrible attacks. In the yearsince, the Army, in concert with otherservices and our allies, has devoted itselfto winning the global war on terrorism,providing stability in those regions of theworld important to us, and training todefend the United States and its interests.These commitments have not been with-out further sacrifice by soldiers who havegone into harm’s way on our behalf.

The Army remains “on point for thenation,” as it has for over 227 years. Byprotecting and preserving our way of life,soldiers are keeping faith with all Ameri-cans. The Army is strong; it is ready. Sec-retary White and I, as well as the rest ofthe Army leadership, are privileged byyour service and inspired by your exam-ples of loyalty, duty, honor, and integrity.Your courage, selfless service, andrespect for one another, and for others,make us the great Army that we are andenable us to fulfill our contract with theAmerican people — to fight and win ournation’s wars, decisively.

So as we pause this 11 September toremember the sacrifices of so many dur-ing those attacks — in Washington, inNew York City, and in Pennsylvania — itis appropriate that we reflect on what itmeans to be an American.

God bless each and every one of you,God bless this magnificent Army of ours,and God bless America.


This is the reason why we are all here at GTMO.Camp Delta, which houses detainees from the globalwar on terrorism, is also the workplace for the Mili-tary Police companies that guard them.

While the camp is guarded 24 hours a day, sevendays a week, the early day shift — currently performedby the active-duty 571st MP Co. from Fort Lewis,Wash. — has its own challenges. Operating under the

heat of the sun, these MPs must wake up the detainees,feed them two of their three meals and ensure thatthey’re humanely treated and remain well-behaved.

Their job is demanding, their professionalismheroic. Their work is what shall be placed in theannals of history. The guards at Camp Delta performtheir duties with the highest degree of professionalism,representing the best of the U.S.

Camp Delta guards: day shiftCompiled by Spc. Joseph A. Morris and Chris S. PisanoThe Wire

Photo by Spc. Joseph A. Morris

Camp Delta, as seen from the media observation point, represents the soul of the JTF-160 and JTF-170 missions here at Guantanamo bay. The guards that toil awaywithin the fences are the pulse of this operation. Hour after hour, day after day, they carry the weight of the detention operation upon their proud shoulders.

Sgt. Robert Kearbey, 571st MP Co.“I am glad to be a part of somethingas historical as this. We’re making adifference out here. It’s something totell your grandkids about.”

Pfc. Tawaiski Lanier, 571st MP Co.“It’s an all-right job. The hardest thingis overcoming the heat. But the prideis what keeps me going throughoutthis mission.”

Spc. Tim Schlecht, 571st MP Co.“It’s been a real unique experience.The challenge comes with notbecoming complacent. I try to makethe best of it, though.”

Pvt. Edward Lang, 571st MP Co.“The job is fun. I mean, look at whatwe’re doing here. This is a trulyworthwhile mission, and I’m happyto be a part of it.”

Page 14 Friday, September 6, 2002

Contact Capt. Gormly at x5249 for moreinformation about MWR events.

* Daily Free Daytime & Evening Lessons forSailing, Kayaking, and Motor Boating at Peli-can Pete’s Marina.* Advanced Step Aerobics Classes, DenichGym, Monday, Wednesday and Friday,5:15PM-6:15PM.* Tae-Kwon Do Classes, Marine Hill AerobicsRoom, Monday-Friday, 6:30PM-7:30PM.* 1-On-1 Spinning Classes, Denich Gym.MWF, 5:30PM-6:30PM, Tues. & Thurs.6:15PM-7:15PM.* Yoga Ultimate Stretch Class, Denich Gym,5:15PM-6:15PM, Tues. & Thurs.* Flag Football Leagues, M-F, 6 PM, CooperField.* 75¢ Bowling, Marblehead Lanes, M-F,1:00PM-4:00PM.

Today, Friday, September 6th6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.

Saturday, September 7th,06:30AM, Commander’s Cup Run, Denich Gym.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.10:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill andDeer Point Pools.

Sunday, September 8th10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.10:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill andDeer Point Pools.

Monday, September 9th6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.

Tuesday, September 10th6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.

Wednesday, September 11th6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.7:00PM, Round Two, Darts Tournament, CBQ.7:00PM-8:00PM, Climbing Classes, Rappel Tower

Thursday, September 12th 6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.

Find yourself at Bulkeley movies

Deep within the bowels ofGuantanamo Bay exists a gemin the rough that it seems feware willing to find. Ask about it,and most people will questionit’s existence. It is a sanctuary, aplace for calm and individualreflection, aspace whereone can bethankful to bedeployed here.A place whereone can some-times come toview oldaction moviesfrom the‘ 8 0 s … t h eCamp Bulke-ley movie the-ater.

‘Wire’ edi-tor Spc. FrankPellegrini andmyself dis-covered thisa m a z i n gforum of filmtwo weeksago, when weattended a showing of awrongly forgotten classic: a lit-tle Arnold Schwarzeneggeraction piece known as “Com-mando.”

Rolling in a Humvee, we setout in search of this fabledGTMO movie theater, notknowing if its existence wasmere myth. But after searchingthrough a maze of dirt roadsout at Camp Bulkeley, weeventually realized that the leg-end was indeed real.

As we approached this lostbut now found theater, it was asif we had discovered an oasis inthe desert. Was it mere illusion?At first sight, the place seemedabandoned, but the appearanceof a lonely MWR worker bythe projectionist booth reas-sured us that this was nomirage.

Besides us, only two otherenlightened individuals were inattendance. Only seconds aftersettling into our spacious seats,up front near the low-slung

screen, our nearly “privatescreening” began.

As “Commando” burstupon the screen, Pellegrini andI were taken back to a GoldenAge of cinema, a time whengreat, cheesy action movies ofa higher caliber roamed theplanet.

Having not seen this moviesince I was a kid, the experi-

ence of seeing it again on a bigscreen was only enhanced bythe magnificent beauty thatwas this sultry GTMO night.

Every slick one-liner(“Please don’t disturb myfriend. He’s dead tired.”) waspunctuated by an arc of light-ning splintering the sky. Thesteel drums so prevalent in theJames Horner soundtrack wereenhanced by the forebodingsound of distant thunder.

It was an hour-and-a-half ofunadulterated entertainment,and when the credits started toroll, we shook hands heartilyand told each other how gladwe were to have come.

How we had been here atGTMO for three months (andchange) and never paid a visitto this fine theater, escaped usboth. It goes to show, that on abase that is pretty much onelong road, if you look hardenough you can still discovernew treasure.

The sometimes older selec-

tion of movies that play at theBulkeley movie theater is anice change of pace from the ascurrent-as-they-get cinema fareoffered at the DowntownLyceum Theater. (Although“The Sum of all Fears” washardly current by the end of itslong run.) And the apparentlack of visitors to this out-of-the-way spot makes it a nice

getaway from the large crowdsthat can sometimes plagueGTMO’s better-known theater.

But Camp Bulkeley, like thetheater that hides within it, is asite that the tourists apparentlyhave yet to find. A suburb ofthe more famous Camp Amer-ica, it is located down the roadfrom Camp Delta, and it is thehome of only one unit — the178th Military Police Com-pany, National Guard membersout of Monroe, Ga.

So if you ever happen tofind yourself out there nearCamp Bulkeley after the sungoes down, you know the spotto check out.

Of course it helps if a vin-tage action movie starringArnold Schwarzenegger isplaying, but even a flick oflesser quality can benefit fromthe atmosphere out at theserene and secluded CampBulkeley. It’s definitely worththe effort to discover, if for theexperience alone.

Story and photo by Spc. Chris S. PisanoThe Wire

The majestic Bulkeley movie theater. By day, it looks abandoned, nestled on grounds that haveseen better-maintained days. But every night — twice a night — it comes alive.


This week’s question: How would you describe the United States military in one word?

Navy Chief John Dupee,Naval Base chief harborpilot

“Unequaled.”

David Walsh, civilian,retired NYPD

“Awesome.”

Coast Guard PettyOfficer 3rd ClassAndrew Painter, USCGCutter Bear

“Adaptable.”

Army Pfc. Hollister L.Robinson, 342nd Mili-tary Police Company

“Strong-willed.”

Air Force Tech Sgt.Nickey Crider, J4

“Dedicated.”

Compiled by Spc. Chris S. Pisano and Spc. Joseph A. Morris

Showingappreciation Capt. William W. Elliott, U.S.Marine Corps, presentedtroops of the motor pool withcertificates of appreciationand Marine Corps coins forall their hard work and sup-port to the Marine Corpsmission here Monday.“They’ve been a big help,”said Sgt. Douglas E. Card-well, USMC SecurityForces. “The Marines haveover forty vehicles and fewmechanics. The troopsdown at the motor pool havehelped us to maintain ourvehicles by supplying man-power, parts, and labor.They help us keep the mis-sion rolling.”Photo by Spc. Michelle M. Scsepko

Across

1 Cast metal5 Except9 Seldom13 Display14 Hurry15 Blot (2 wds.)16 Fish stories17 Removes the water18 Artery19 Smart21 Squabble23 Genetic code24 Heptad25 Colorless liquor29 Pigsty30 Matte32 Whichever33 Oak seed36 Lamenting poetry37 Central nervous system38 Treaty organization39 Genetic identical

40 Buckeye State41 Km/h42 Thunderous sounds43 Prayer position44 Downwind45 Volcano46 Pastry47 Fallible49 Fasten50 Pig meat53 Noodle55 Three of a kind57 Confuse60 Black62 Duke63 Pain reliever brand64 Rolled chocolate candy brand65 Region66 Gaiety67 Tinted68 Tinter

Down

1 Loafed2 Prevail3 End4 Snack5 Enact6 __ Gras7 Stiff8 Screen9 House toppers10 April (abbr.)11 Furrow12 Government agency15 Freedom from danger20 Poetic “evening”22 Visualization26 Save27 Red headed orphan28 Household cleaner brand

29 Affirmative30 Regional plant life31 Optical device33 Foot joint34 Leap35 The one left36 Vivacity39 Terra __ (type of clay)40 Single42 Go back on a promise43 Chinese gooseberry46 Anise-flavored liqueur48 Aloft

49 Lifted50 Old51 Fit in52 Shiny balloon material54 Goody two shoes56 Usher57 Container58 Annex59 Charge61 Lad

Page 13Friday, September 6, 2002

Frustrated Poetry Corner

by Spc. Joseph A.Morris

Answers to theAugust 30 puzzle

DOWNTOWN LYCEUM

Friday, September 68 p.m. Crocodile Hunter, PG - 89 min

10 p.m. Mr. Deeds, PG-13 - 91 min

Saturday, September 7

8 p.m. Men in Black 2, PG-13 - 91 min10 p.m. Triple X, PG-13 - 114 min

Sunday, September 88 p.m. Minority Report, PG-13 - 140 min

Monday, September 98 p.m. Reign of Fire, PG-13 - 108 min

Tuesday, September 108 p.m. Like Mike, PG - 100 min

Wednesday, September 118 p.m. Crocodile Hunter, PG - 89 min

Thursday, September 128 p.m. Men in Black 2, PG-13 - 91min

CAMP BULKELEY

Friday, September 68 p.m. Crimson Tide, R - 117 min

10 p.m. Exit Wounds, R - 101 min


8 p.m. Saving Silverman, PG-13 - 92 min10 p.m. Reindeer Games, R - 104 min

Sunday, September 88, 10 p.m. Mission Impossible 2, R - 126 min

Monday, September 98 p.m. Three Kings, R - 95 min

Tuesday, September 108 p.m. Chain of Command, R - 102 min

Wednesday, September 118 p.m. Hamburger Hill, R -112 min

Thursday, September 128, 10 p.m. Money Kings, R 96 min

It was a horrible day When they darkened our sky, Dropped us down to our knees,and us asking — why?What did we do To deserve this pain?You cut into our hearts And shaved your name.They chose wrong To do what they did,Of us our courage and unity They can never rid.It was a big mistake When they attacked our towers,Now feel the wrath Of the United States’ powers.As high as the towers stood, We will standWe’ll fight with our livesTo defend this land.

ies; Camp Delta and Camp America, the PinkPalace and the “Head Shed” and the ChildDevelopment Center are its shrines. Every-one here is paying homage every day to theblood spilled that September morning withsacrifices of their own. Certainly no one hereis likely to forget; it is why they are here.

But Sept. 11 struck us in a special way. Notjust as soldiers, but as people.

“This event was personalized. It wasn't anattack by a nation, or an army, but of individ-uals, upon individuals,” said Army Chaplain(Lt. Col.) Raymond A. Tetreault. “The peoplewho died on that day didn't consider them-selves at war when they went to work thatday. Neither did America. All that changed,and we all feel vulnerable in a new way.”

“It's an event that has touched all ourlives,” he said, “besides being the reason thatwe're all here.”

And so at 7:30 a.m.in the Camp Americachapel and 6:00 p.m.in the Naval Basechapel, Tetreault andArmy Chaplain (Maj.)Michael S. Merrillwill represent JTF-160’s spiritual sidewith non-denomina-tional services held inmemory of the attacks.

Both services willfeature a slide presentation of Sept. 11 imagesand remarks by NYPD officer Sandra M.Orlandella, an Army Capt. serving as opera-tions officer at the Joint Information Bureau.The morning service will feature commentsfrom JTF-160 Commanding (Brig.) Gen.Rick Baccus; Navy Capt. Robert A. Buehn,base commander, and JTF-170 Commanding(Maj.) Gen. Michael Dunlavey will speak atthe evening service. Attendees are invited tolinger and share recollections of the day.

“It's more spiritual than religious,” said

Tetreault. “But in the aftermath of the attacks,it was to churches and synagogues andmosques that people turned for some kind ofsolace and meaning and sharing. We realizethat this anniversary may be difficult for somepeople, and we want to provide some of thathere as well as remembering the lives thatwere lost that day.”

But for the com-mands of JTF-160 andJTF-170, whose mis-sions honor that dayevery day, it is equallyimportant to take afew moments fromwork to remember ina military way the firstsacrifices of this war.

“Sept. 11 marks thefirst anniversary of thecowardly acts thatkilled thousands of

innocent people and plunged our nation andthis military into a global war,” said Lt. Col.Dennis H. Fink, JTF-170 public affairs offi-cer. “The least we can do is take a little timefrom our day to reflect on those terrible acts.”

And so at exactly 8:46 a.m., the momentthat the first plane struck the first tower, JTF-170 will hold a formation outside its head-quarters at the Child Development Center.Bells will be tolled and “Taps” played, fol-lowed by what Fink called a “brief and fit-ting” memorial service.

Simultaneously, JTF-160's Joint DetentionOperations Group will raise the Americanflag at Camp Delta and hold a moment ofsilence and short ceremony of its own, includ-ing comments from JTF-160 CommandingGen. Rick Baccus.

“Yes, this whole operation is a commemo-ration in itself,” said Army Col. John J. Per-rone, Jr., JDOG commander. "It's a realtestament to the American will. But I think wealso need to take some time to reflect on thatday in history. It really has changed the world,and the fact that we're here on active duty isevidence of that.”

Also deserving of remembrance is a differ-ent kind of soldier killed in that surpriseattack — the firefighters whose sacred duty itwas to rush up the World Trade Center stair-ways when everyone else was rushing down.

At 10:05 a.m. and 10:28 a.m., themoments when the two towers collapsed,members of the civilian GTMO Fire Dept.will hold their own tribute in conjunctionwith fire departments the world over, formingup outside GTMO's four fire stations andsounding the traditional salute to firefightersfallen — three sets of five bells, followed bya moment of silence.

“We're doing this because 343 of the peo-ple that died that day — more than 10 percentof the total — were firefighters,” said GTMOFire Chief Francis C. Kruppa. “That’s proba-bly the largest non-military group that's everdied in a single attack. And they were all inthere with one goal — to save somebody else.So it’s extremely important that firefightersall over the world remember this event.”

And so Sept. 11, 2002 will be in most wayslittle different than any other Wednesday inthe life of this detention operation. MP com-panies will go on and off shift at Camp Delta,take detainees to and from interrogations,play their part supporting this war on terror asthey have since this operation began.Infantrymen and Port Security Units willkeep perimeters and shores safe and secure.Support staffs and command chains will try tokeep the detention operation and its troopswell-fed, fully cared-for and fairly paid.

But now and then throughout the day, atthe times we all know all too well, the mis-sion will pause. Soldiers and sailors, airmenand Marines, Coast Guardsmen and firefight-ers, JTF-160 and JTF-170 alike will stop tohonor the dead and remember the fallen ofthat terrible day, and remind ourselves onemore time: This is why we’re here.


9/11/02, from page 1

Another day in the life of Camp America. By all appearances, Sept. 11, 2002 will likely be no different.

Members of the 239th MP Co. form up last week before heading to Camp Delta to work the swing shift.

The 342nd MP Co. shows its colors on a hoochdoor at Camp America.

For the members of the 114thMilitary Police Company, the MPstands for “multi purpose.”

Since June 10th, the 114th hasbeen here at GTMO performingthe task that they were assigned todo to the best of their abilities. Butit wasn’t familiar.

“Our responsibilities on thismission are different than we havedone in the past,” said Capt.Robert R. Bartran, commander ofthe 114th, a National Guard unitfrom Clinton, Miss. “We are com-monly tasked as combat MPs in acombat environment, but here atGTMO, the roles have beenreversed and our MPs are beingused as corrections officers.”

“The soldiers of the 114th havebeen trained as 95 Bravos, whichare military police officers whodeal with both law-and-order andcombat,” said Bartran. “In thismission here, the soldiers aremostly being used as 95 Charlies,who are corrections officers.

“We previously had the trainingto build and operate a temporaryholding facility in a combat zoneduring a wartime operation, butthis detention facility is built herewith a more permanent structure,”said Bartran.

“The detention facility here is alittle more secured than most of usexpected,” said Spc. Edward M.Herring. “But being that we have asquared-away unit, we will be ableto adapt to the changes.”

“The unit has had previous

training in the apprehending andtransporting of detainees,” saidBartran. “But in the past, wewould turn the individuals over toa correctional facility. Here we areactually running the facility.”

Since the soldiers of the 114thwould be performing unfamiliartasks, extra training was requiredso the servicemembers would beable to perform their duties to thehighest standard.

“To prepare for this deploy-ment, two soldiers were sent toFort Leonard Wood, Missouri tobecome qualified instructors ofNon-lethal weapons,” said Bar-tran. “Also, five high-speed non-commissioned officers were sentto Fort Knox, Kentucky to crosstrain as 95Cs to learn about opera-tions in a correctional facility andthe proper han-dling ofdetainees.”

“We spentsome time in theclassroom train-ing before wewere activated,”said Sgt. KevinG. Burr. “Someof the membersfrom our unitwere sent out forextra training.When theycame back, wespent some timegoing over dif-ferent thingsabout how todeal with the detainees.”

“They were sent to theseschools to learn and become certi-

fied, so thatthey couldcome back andpass that infor-mation on tothe remainderof the com-pany,” saidBartran.

“The train-ing gave us agood insidelook,” saidBurr. “Wewere able toput it to gooduse here at GTMO.”

Such operations here at GTMOare 24 hours a day and seven daysa week. Since they arrived, the114th MP Co. has been responsi-ble for working the overnight shift.

“The night shift is good,” saidBartran. “There’s less work to bedone while the detainees areasleep.”

“The overnight working condi-tions aren’t so bad because theheat is down, and everything ispretty much calm,” said Herring.“The best thing about it is that yougo to work one day, and after youfinish, it’s another calendar daydown.”

One downside to working theovernight shift is the constructionbeing done on much of CampAmerica when the sun is out.

“It’s not so hard to adapt to aschedule such as working theovernight shift,” said Burr. “Thebiggest disadvantage is trying tosleep through all of the bangingduring the day.”

For the soldiers of the 114thMP Co., the mission didn’t starthere at GTMO when they

received their orders to be acti-vated.

“We’ve been activated sinceJanuary,” said Burr. “We spent fivemonths at Fort Campbell, Ken-tucky, conducting law and order.Back then, we just had a possibil-ity of going somewhere else”

“Our duties over at Fort Camp-bell were basic,” said Henning.“Our responsibilities here atGTMO are different, and I amproud to be here doing this.”

“When we got here to GTMO,I think we had a pretty good ideawhat to expect,” said Bartran. “It’sjust very eye-opening knowingthat we are looking into the facesof the world’s terrorists.”

“I’m excited to be here doingmore than law and order,” saidBurr. “I am proud to have joinedthe fight for freedom, and I thinkmost of the unit feels that way;especially now, as the one-yearanniversary of Sept. 11 nears.”

Just like all other deployments,this tour is going to end someday,and the 114th can’t claim to be tooupset at the prospect.

“We’re not there yet, but wehave hit the halfway mark,” saidBartran. “Up to this point we havebeen doing a great job and show-ing much professionalism.”

“Time’s clicking by prettyfast,” said Herring. “I think every-one is looking forward to goinghome to their families.”

“Some people might complainabout the conditions here, butoverall, we should all be glad forwhat we got,” said Burr.

“The days go by slow here atGTMO, but the weeks go by fast,”said Bartran.

But while they’re waiting toship back home, these MPs willcontinue to stay up and keep anever-vigilant eye on the detaineeswhile you sleep.


The 114th MP Co. holds a formation at Camp America beforetransporting over to Camp Delta to perform their vital mission.

Story by Spc. Joseph A.MorrisThe Wire


Soldiers of the 114th MP Co. load onto a bus that will transport them to CampDelta to perform their nightly guard duty shifts.

All night long for the 114th MP Co.

Photo courtesy of 114th MP Co.

Capt. Robert R. Bartran, commander of the 114th MP Co.



“You’d be surprised how much care youcan dispense without entering the cell,” saysNavy Cmdr. Lilly Fotiadis, the Senior NurseCorps Officer at Fleet Hospital 20 — or, as it’sknown in GTMO, Detention Hospital inCamp Delta.

Fotiadis is the division officer for the CampDelta detainee clinic which ministers to themedical needs of the hundreds of detaineesnow being held at Guantanamo Bay as part ofAmerica’s war on terrorism.

The cautious way that members of the hos-pital’s staff have had to dispense care is onlyone of the many things to which they’ve hadto adapt since the hospital started operatinghere in late January.

According to a press release issued by JTF-160, the construction of the structure nowknown as Detention Hospital originallyrequired over 180 people from Camp Lejeune,N.C. It took 17 SEABEES from ConstructionBattalion 423 to clear and pre-pare the land for the hospital inthree days of intense 24-houroperations beginning January18. Tents went up in one dayand the International StandardsOrganization (ISO) containerswere unpacked, expanded andorganized into rooms and stor-age areas fit for labs, wash-rooms and examination rooms.A mere 26 days elapsedbetween the time the warning order wasissued to the unit and the time the first patientwas admitted to the hospital on January 30,2002.

“We can see several detainees at one timein the clinic,” says Fotiadis. “The hospital hasan Acute Care Ward capable of holding eightdetainees, with an expansion potential of 36-40 detainees.”

The capabilities ofthe mobile hospitalare impressive for astructure of such asmall size. The fleethospital is capable ofhandling GeneralSurgery, OrthopedicSurgery, InternalMedicine, InfectiousDisease, FamilyPractice, MentalHealth, PhysicalTherapy, Radiology,Laboratory, andPharmacy.

As of August 13,there had been 8,941outpatient visits and65 admitted patients.The hospital is runby its Officer inCharge, Navy Cmdr. Jaime Carroll.

Fotiadis is in a naval reserve unit attachedto Naval Hospital (NH), Camp Lejeune. She

was recalled to Lejeune in Jan-uary, and then sent here in Aprilto care for detainees. Fotiadissays she received no specialtraining for this assignment,and when her rotation started,she didn’t quite know what toexpect.

“I have never worked in aprison or other maximum secu-rity environment before,” saidFotiadis. “The closest experi-

ence was taking care of the inebriated patientsseen in the Emergency Room of the civilianhospital where I work when I am not on activeduty.”

Carroll stresses safety and security for herstaff. In the hands of someone who meansharm, a pen, a stethoscope, or even a paperclipcould become a weapon, so nothing should beleft lying about.

“It’s just humannature to forget thatthe patients may bedangerous,” saysCarroll. “There’s def-initely teamworkbetween the medicsand the MPs. Wedon’t do anythingmedical without anMP with us.”

“Our primary pro-tection when exam-ining detainees orpassing medicationsis our wonderfulsecurity force. Wenever approach any

detainee without a guard standing right by ourside. In the cellblocks we never ‘go to thedetainee.’ Never do we put our hands in thedoor opening. You can take vital signs, dis-pense medication, and administer eye dropsand ear drops without entering the detainees’cells,” says Fotiadis.

“I did not have clear cut expectations prior

Story and photos by Army Sgt. Michelle M. PessoaThe Wire

This seemingly humble tent is the Detention Hospital’s casualty receiving entrance.

Charting a smooth course: (L to R) Navy Cmdrs. Jaime Carroll and Lilly Fotiadis.

As they prepare to move to a new facility, Fleet Hospital 20 keeps treating the enemy with pride

“I must always remindmyself of just what they are capable of.Security is always

the first thing on our minds.”- Navy Cmdr. Lilly FotiadisSenior Nurse Corps Officer

Navy Senior Chief Marshall W. Adkins: “We have towatch out for each other at all times.”

Detention Hospital: Caring for

Camp America’s stewards areworking on that too.

“While the new barracks arebeing built, we’re doing renova-tions on the SEAhuts,” said StaffSgt. Janet Harnack, assistantcamp commandant and a mem-ber of the 346th MO Co. out ofHutchinson, Kan. “We’restrengthening the floors andcaulking the insides to preventleaking now that hurricane sea-son seems to be here. We’re put-ting fans above theair-conditioning units to help cir-culate the air better. And we’reputting 3 coats of white paint onthe outside. That’ll help reflect

the sun and keep them cooler.”On the one hand, Harnack

said, no one came to GTMOexpecting luxury. From whatthey’d seen on television of thedetention operation’s first sixmonths, her unit was expectingjust what those arriving in Janu-ary had gotten: GP Mediumsunder the hot Caribbean sun.

On the other, this operation ishere to stay. And while operatingwithin the military necessities ofbeing housed in formation condi-tions — this is a deployment, andany quarters of Camp Deltaguards need to be squad-sizedand sited near the action — JTF-160 aims to make life here asliveable as possible.

“This is about quality of life,”Harnack said. The troops here

have a very important mission onthe ground here, and if we canhelp with their quality of lifethat’s one less thing they have toworry about.”

For Moskowitz, a formerSEABEE with 18 years in theNavy, Camp Alpha North is justthe latest in a long list of projectsthat have marked the detentionoperation’s evolution from anexpeditionary, plan-as-you-gomission to something moreestablished and more permanent.

Since first coming to GTMOin December, he’s served as theconstruction point man for both

the JTF and GTMO’s Navy over-seers, and as such has supervisedjust about every constructionproject associated with the JTFmissions: Camp America 1, 2,and 3. Camp X-Ray and CampDelta (and the ongoing DeltaTwo), the old Fleet Hospital andthe new Detainee Hospital.

“You name it, I was involvedin it,” Moskowitz said. “It’s beena lot of work, but I’m proud toserve. This is an important mis-sion. We’re realizing we’re goingto be here a while. So we’re try-ing to do the best we can for thetroops that are here.”


with new barracks, facelift

The new SEAhut: Floor diagram of one room of the planned Camp America North hard barracks. Each room will be a SEAhut-sized 16 feet by 32 feet, with six bunkbeds, 12 wall lockers, 4 overhead lights and an in-house commode and sink.

Brown & Root workers measure outground for Camp America North anddrive in a stake to mark the spot.

A work in progress: Brown & Root workers weld and paint joints on the frame of aCamp America North barracks-to-be. This structure is currently scheduled to becompleted in October.

All except the windows: A structureapproximating the new hard barracksat Camp America North.

to arriving here,” continued Fotiadis. “I hadsome concerns about taking care of these‘dangerous’ people. Once around them, theyseemed less scary. But looks can be deceiving,and I must always remind myself of just whatthese people are capable of. Security is alwaysthe first thing on our minds when approachingany detainee, regardless of how ‘harmless’they appear.”

Navy Senior Chief Marshall W. Adkins,whose focus is maintaining discipline in theenlisted ranks, concurs.

“I’m always walking behind people andchecking things out,” he says.

Despite the need for vigilance in dealingwith these special patients, Adkins feels thatthe Naval hospital corpsmen who have beenassigned here are going to take with themvaluable lessons to their next duty station, andhe offers them lots of advice.

“It’s different than Lejeune, where you’redealing with regular patients who are comingin because their ankle hurts. The junior corps-men here have to deal with more than thatwith the detainees. Like I always tell them, it’sa once-in-a-lifetime experience. Embrace it!They’ll probably never have a chance to givethis kind of care again. And not only that.They’re doing it for their country too. They’vegot pride in the United States and the medicalcare we give.”

Though the detainees are not consideredPOWs, the hospital has been operating underthe tenets of the Third Geneva Convention of1949, which protects those interred and guar-antees them medical care.

And the care given to the detainees inGTMO is quite extensive.

When the detainees undergo in processing,they are escorted to various screening stations.They take showers, and then are deloused. Abasic medical assessment is conducted, and achest X-ray is taken to check for tuberculosis.Detainees wear medical masks during in-pro-cessing to protect themselves, and others,from this disease.

Detainees are screened for other infectiousdiseases as well: malaria, hepatitis B and C,HIV, and Leishmaniasis — a parasitic diseasetransmitted by the bite of some species of sandflies.

Medical care is available 24 hours a day,though there is a daily sick call established thatis not unlike what servicemembers are famil-iar with. The International Committee of theRed Cross has free access to the hospital, andthey check to see if detainees have medicalcare, adequate water and a proper diet.

The detainee medical mission has shiftedfrom a high inpatient rate with multiple ortho-pedic surgeries — most of the incomingdetainees were coming from battlefield situa-tions — to an outpatient focus centered largelyon dispensing necessary medication.

Sixty-one surgical procedures have beenperformed, all with informed written consent.

Most surgery hasbeen associated withorthopedic injuriesas a result of gunshotwounds and shrap-nel. Many detaineesinitially requiredlong hospitalizationfor osteomyelitis, abone infection thatoccurs at sites ofbone penetrated bytrauma. Surgicalexcision of dead tis-sue is required inconjunction withantibiotics to treatthis condition.

Perhaps the most unusual surgical interven-tion here involved treatment of a detainee suf-fering from a shrapnel wound.

“The detainee,” says Carroll, “had someshrapnel in the back of his eye that had blindedhim and he was having pain.

“It sounds appalling, but removing the eyeeliminated the pain he was having, after whichhe was fitted with a prosthesis,” said Carroll.

“He and the ophthalmologist developed avery interesting relationship. Obviously, it’svery traumatic for anyone to have his eyeremoved. The detainee wanted to have teawith the doctor after the surgery was over. Thedetainee was in X-Ray at that time. The physi-cian was a human being, as was the detainee.”

If there is anything Carroll stresses morethan safety and security, it’s professionalism.So attachments with the patients are notencouraged. Nevertheless, the staff strives toprovide compassionate care, albeit in a profes-sional way.

“We don’t want any 18-year-old or 19-year-old — or 50-year-old — sent on this mis-sion and told he or she can no longer be acompassionate person,” says Carroll.

Despite stress associated with the job(some workers have had water thrown onthem or have been spat on), morale is highamong the hospital corpsmen. According toAdkins, many have opted to stay past theirnormal rotation.

“When they stay, we in the command likeit too,” says Adkins. “That’s one less body wehave to worry about training every fewmonths.”

“They’re 18 and 19 years old,” saysAdkins, “and they’re dealing with detainees.They never thought in their wildest dreamsthat they would be standing in front of thesetypes of patients, giving them medical care.Look at them now. They’re doing it andthey’re doing an outstanding job with the lead-ership of Cmdr. Fotiadis.”

And soon, the staff of the Detention Hospi-tal will be getting an upgrade to a new facility,based on the needs of the mission.

“The current facility was always supposedto be temporary,” says Navy Chief Petty Offi-cer Mark W. Nuth, who is in charge of publicworks for the hospital.

“The new, “hardened” facility will open onSeptember 15th, and will differ from the cur-rent building in that it is designed to withstandhigh winds, and will be roomier than the cur-rent structure,” said Nuth.

Fotiadis, who will depart not long after theestablishment of the new facility, had somepositive words at the end of her 6-monthdeployment.

“Whoever takes my place needs to be flex-ible and approach every situation with an openmind. No one in Navy medical history has hada mission such as this one.”

Most of the items in the Detainee Hospital, such as these stretchers, are readilycollapsible. In case of destructive weather, the entire structure can be broken downinto its component parts and stored until the danger has passed.


terror’s detainees — carefully

Navy HM3 Sherrice L. McKay checks for active andlatent TB in the patients. McKay is one of the staffmembers who opted to extend her stay at GTMO.

Camp A settles in for long haulPage 10 Friday, September 6, 2002

Every military operation, justlike every relationship, musteventually face a question ofcommittment. The participantsmust ask themselves: Are we inthis for the long haul, and if so,isn’t it time to start preparingmore permanent accomodations?

JTF-160 is making that com-mittment to the MPs andinfantrymen that staff its CampDelta detention operation, havingrecently begun construction on“Camp Alpha North,” a new“hardened” barracks area acrossWindmill Beach Rd.

“The senior command recog-nized that this mission is nolonger expeditionary. There willbe a long life to it and as suchthey recognized the need formore ‘robust,’ or longer-lasting,and more comfortable berthingfor the troops,” said Navy Cmdr.Michael Moskowitz, the chiefJTF engineer here and also theman on the ground for the Nor-folk, Va.-based Naval FacilitiesAtlantic Division (LANTDIV),which ultimately orders all con-struction projects for the base.

“You have to remember, inDecember this whole detentionoperation here was put togetherin a very big hurry, and nobodywas sure how long it would last,”Moskowitz said. “Tents, like the

ones at Freedom Heights, are thefirst step in any expeditionary sit-uation. Then with the switchfrom Camp X-Ray to CampDelta came the SEAhuts at CampAmerica. Those are standardcontingency construction in a sit-uation you figure is semi-perma-nent — get it down now, figurethe rest out later.

“Now we know more whatwe’re doing and that it’s going tobe for a while, and so there’s astrong interest in upgrading qual-ity of life for the troops whilethey’re here.”

And so comes Camp Alpha

North. Moskowitz credits JTF-160 Commanding Gen. RickBaccus with working with U.S.Southern Command, NAVBASEGTMO and making newer, morepermanent, more comfortableliving quarters a reality for thetroops that make the detentionoperation run at its most funda-mental level. “He really made ithappen on the ground,”Moskowitz said.

Two structures — one sched-uled to be completed by contrac-tor Brown & Root (“They dogood work,” says Moskowitz) inOctober and the other in Novem-ber — will house a total of 612soldiers in 51 rooms. In terms ofdimensions and the number oftroops per room, the new quarterswon’t be much different fromSEAhuts. Each room will stillmeasure 16 feet by 32 feet andhouse 12 servicemembers in sixbunk beds.

But there will be advantagesto the permanent version —more insulation to keep heat outand cool in, firmer floors, lessprobablility of the rain coming inthrough weary plywood. Therewill be less exterior maintenancerequired.

Then there’s the most reliablesign of an increase in civilization— indoor plumbing. Each 12-person unit will have its own toi-let and sink, and each largerstructure will have a gang showerunit and latrine area. In other

words, no more crunching acrossthe gravel in the middle of thenight when Nature calls.

“It’s somewhere in the middlebetween tents like FreedomHeights and a hotel-type garrisonenvironment,” said Moskowitz.“These are still military forma-tion conditions. They’ve got to besquad-sized barracks, which iswhy they’re still holding 12apiece, and they’ve got to besited so they’re right next to theaction. But it’s still a step up fromthe SEAhuts.”

For some. With more than athousand troops already man-ning the Delta detention opera-tion, which troops will get theupgrade to Camp America Northand who will stay behind?

Moskowitz says JTF-160hopes that won’t be a problem fortoo long.

“Technically, there’s nothingelse programmed to be built rightnow,” he said. “But it’s highlylikely that there’ll be additionalprogramming, especially if themission here continues toexpand. As monies come in to dothat, the master plan is that all thetroops will have the same type ofbilleting.”

But by then, most of the sol-diers currently living in CampAmerica’s SEAhuts will haveleft for home and presumablysofter beds. Must they simplystare across the road as contruc-tion workers erect fancy newdigs in which they’ll never live?


Two SEAhuts with a new coat of white paint (white will help reflect sunlight and keep the SEAhuts cooler) stand out from theyet-to-be-painted camp commandant’s hut at the front edge of Camp America.

Navy Cmdr. Michael Moskowitz, cen-ter, discusses plans for a project withtwo Army colleagues.

Brown & Root workers put a coat ofsun-reflecting white paint on theSEAhuts at Camp America.


Compiled by Spc. Chris S. Pisano and Spc. Joseph A. MorrisThe Wire

Photo by Spencer Platt/ Getty Images

Terror strikes the United States as both towers of the World Trade Center are destroyed by two hijacked airplanes.

Photo by Kelly Price/ Rueters

People flee down Broadway as the World Trade Center’s north tower collapses.

Photo by Rich Lipski/ Washington Post

Smoke pours from the west wing of the Pentagon after it was hit by a third hijacked airplane.

Lest we forget

Photo by Paul Morse/ White House

Firefighters take a moment to unfurl the flag over the scarred Pentagon asinspiration for fellow rescue workers searching through the debris Sept. 12.

Photo by Doug Mills/ AP

President Bush puts an arm around firefighter Bob Beckwith during a tourof the World Trade Center devastion.

September 11, 2001 began just like any other day, but willbe remembered as the 21st century’s “Day of Infamy.”

When both towers of the World Trade Center plus thePentagon were hit by hijacked airplanes, the result becamethe most horrifying attack ever on U.S. soil.

Still one year later, the effects of that day still sit fresh inthe minds of all Americans.

Photo by Joe Raedle/ Getty Images

Firefighter Tony James remembers Rev. Mychal Judge, a chaplainwho lost his life while ministering to firefighters during the collapse ofthe World Trade Center.

to arriving here,” continued Fotiadis. “I hadsome concerns about taking care of these‘dangerous’ people. Once around them, theyseemed less scary. But looks can be deceiving,and I must always remind myself of just whatthese people are capable of. Security is alwaysthe first thing on our minds when approachingany detainee, regardless of how ‘harmless’they appear.”

Navy Senior Chief Marshall W. Adkins,whose focus is maintaining discipline in theenlisted ranks, concurs.

“I’m always walking behind people andchecking things out,” he says.

Despite the need for vigilance in dealingwith these special patients, Adkins feels thatthe Naval hospital corpsmen who have beenassigned here are going to take with themvaluable lessons to their next duty station, andhe offers them lots of advice.

“It’s different than Lejeune, where you’redealing with regular patients who are comingin because their ankle hurts. The junior corps-men here have to deal with more than thatwith the detainees. Like I always tell them, it’sa once-in-a-lifetime experience. Embrace it!They’ll probably never have a chance to givethis kind of care again. And not only that.They’re doing it for their country too. They’vegot pride in the United States and the medicalcare we give.”

Though the detainees are not consideredPOWs, the hospital has been operating underthe tenets of the Third Geneva Convention of1949, which protects those interred and guar-antees them medical care.

And the care given to the detainees inGTMO is quite extensive.

When the detainees undergo in processing,they are escorted to various screening stations.They take showers, and then are deloused. Abasic medical assessment is conducted, and achest X-ray is taken to check for tuberculosis.Detainees wear medical masks during in-pro-cessing to protect themselves, and others,from this disease.

Detainees are screened for other infectiousdiseases as well: malaria, hepatitis B and C,HIV, and Leishmaniasis — a parasitic diseasetransmitted by the bite of some species of sandflies.

Medical care is available 24 hours a day,though there is a daily sick call established thatis not unlike what servicemembers are famil-iar with. The International Committee of theRed Cross has free access to the hospital, andthey check to see if detainees have medicalcare, adequate water and a proper diet.

The detainee medical mission has shiftedfrom a high inpatient rate with multiple ortho-pedic surgeries — most of the incomingdetainees were coming from battlefield situa-tions — to an outpatient focus centered largelyon dispensing necessary medication.

Sixty-one surgical procedures have beenperformed, all with informed written consent.

Most surgery hasbeen associated withorthopedic injuriesas a result of gunshotwounds and shrap-nel. Many detaineesinitially requiredlong hospitalizationfor osteomyelitis, abone infection thatoccurs at sites ofbone penetrated bytrauma. Surgicalexcision of dead tis-sue is required inconjunction withantibiotics to treatthis condition.

Perhaps the most unusual surgical interven-tion here involved treatment of a detainee suf-fering from a shrapnel wound.

“The detainee,” says Carroll, “had someshrapnel in the back of his eye that had blindedhim and he was having pain.

“It sounds appalling, but removing the eyeeliminated the pain he was having, after whichhe was fitted with a prosthesis,” said Carroll.

“He and the ophthalmologist developed avery interesting relationship. Obviously, it’svery traumatic for anyone to have his eyeremoved. The detainee wanted to have teawith the doctor after the surgery was over. Thedetainee was in X-Ray at that time. The physi-cian was a human being, as was the detainee.”

If there is anything Carroll stresses morethan safety and security, it’s professionalism.So attachments with the patients are notencouraged. Nevertheless, the staff strives toprovide compassionate care, albeit in a profes-sional way.

“We don’t want any 18-year-old or 19-year-old — or 50-year-old — sent on this mis-sion and told he or she can no longer be acompassionate person,” says Carroll.

Despite stress associated with the job(some workers have had water thrown onthem or have been spat on), morale is highamong the hospital corpsmen. According toAdkins, many have opted to stay past theirnormal rotation.

“When they stay, we in the command likeit too,” says Adkins. “That’s one less body wehave to worry about training every fewmonths.”

“They’re 18 and 19 years old,” saysAdkins, “and they’re dealing with detainees.They never thought in their wildest dreamsthat they would be standing in front of thesetypes of patients, giving them medical care.Look at them now. They’re doing it andthey’re doing an outstanding job with the lead-ership of Cmdr. Fotiadis.”

And soon, the staff of the Detention Hospi-tal will be getting an upgrade to a new facility,based on the needs of the mission.

“The current facility was always supposedto be temporary,” says Navy Chief Petty Offi-cer Mark W. Nuth, who is in charge of publicworks for the hospital.

“The new, “hardened” facility will open onSeptember 15th, and will differ from the cur-rent building in that it is designed to withstandhigh winds, and will be roomier than the cur-rent structure,” said Nuth.

Fotiadis, who will depart not long after theestablishment of the new facility, had somepositive words at the end of her 6-monthdeployment.

“Whoever takes my place needs to be flex-ible and approach every situation with an openmind. No one in Navy medical history has hada mission such as this one.”

Most of the items in the Detainee Hospital, such as these stretchers, are readilycollapsible. In case of destructive weather, the entire structure can be broken downinto its component parts and stored until the danger has passed.


terror’s detainees — carefully

Navy HM3 Sherrice L. McKay checks for active andlatent TB in the patients. McKay is one of the staffmembers who opted to extend her stay at GTMO.

Camp A settles in for long haul Friday, September 6, 2002

Every military operation, justlike every relationship, musteventually face a question ofcommittment. The participantsmust ask themselves: Are we inthis for the long haul, and if so,isn’t it time to start preparingmore permanent accomodations?

JTF-160 is making that com-mittment to the MPs andinfantrymen that staff its CampDelta detention operation, havingrecently begun construction on“Camp Alpha North,” a new“hardened” barracks area acrossWindmill Beach Rd.

“The senior command recog-nized that this mission is nolonger expeditionary. There willbe a long life to it and as suchthey recognized the need formore ‘robust,’ or longer-lasting,and more comfortable berthingfor the troops,” said Navy Cmdr.Michael Moskowitz, the chiefJTF engineer here and also theman on the ground for the Nor-folk, Va.-based Naval FacilitiesAtlantic Division (LANTDIV),which ultimately orders all con-struction projects for the base.

“You have to remember, inDecember this whole detentionoperation here was put togetherin a very big hurry, and nobodywas sure how long it would last,”Moskowitz said. “Tents, like the

ones at Freedom Heights, are thefirst step in any expeditionary sit-uation. Then with the switchfrom Camp X-Ray to CampDelta came the SEAhuts at CampAmerica. Those are standardcontingency construction in a sit-uation you figure is semi-perma-nent — get it down now, figurethe rest out later.

“Now we know more whatwe’re doing and that it’s going tobe for a while, and so there’s astrong interest in upgrading qual-ity of life for the troops whilethey’re here.”

And so comes Camp Alpha

North. Moskowitz credits JTF-160 Commanding Gen. RickBaccus with working with U.S.Southern Command, NAVBASEGTMO and making newer, morepermanent, more comfortableliving quarters a reality for thetroops that make the detentionoperation run at its most funda-mental level. “He really made ithappen on the ground,”Moskowitz said.

Two structures — one sched-uled to be completed by contrac-tor Brown & Root (“They dogood work,” says Moskowitz) inOctober and the other in Novem-ber — will house a total of 612soldiers in 51 rooms. In terms ofdimensions and the number oftroops per room, the new quarterswon’t be much different fromSEAhuts. Each room will stillmeasure 16 feet by 32 feet andhouse 12 servicemembers in sixbunk beds.

But there will be advantagesto the permanent version —more insulation to keep heat outand cool in, firmer floors, lessprobablility of the rain coming inthrough weary plywood. Therewill be less exterior maintenancerequired.

Then there’s the most reliablesign of an increase in civilization— indoor plumbing. Each 12-person unit will have its own toi-let and sink, and each largerstructure will have a gang showerunit and latrine area. In other

words, no more crunching acrossthe gravel in the middle of thenight when Nature calls.

“It’s somewhere in the middlebetween tents like FreedomHeights and a hotel-type garrisonenvironment,” said Moskowitz.“These are still military forma-tion conditions. They’ve got to besquad-sized barracks, which iswhy they’re still holding 12apiece, and they’ve got to besited so they’re right next to theaction. But it’s still a step up fromthe SEAhuts.”

For some. With more than athousand troops already man-ning the Delta detention opera-tion, which troops will get theupgrade to Camp America Northand who will stay behind?

Moskowitz says JTF-160hopes that won’t be a problem fortoo long.

“Technically, there’s nothingelse programmed to be built rightnow,” he said. “But it’s highlylikely that there’ll be additionalprogramming, especially if themission here continues toexpand. As monies come in to dothat, the master plan is that all thetroops will have the same type ofbilleting.”

But by then, most of the sol-diers currently living in CampAmerica’s SEAhuts will haveleft for home and presumablysofter beds. Must they simplystare across the road as contruc-tion workers erect fancy newdigs in which they’ll never live?


Two SEAhuts with a new coat of white paint (white will help reflect sunlight and keep the SEAhuts cooler) stand out from theyet-to-be-painted camp commandant’s hut at the front edge of Camp America.

Navy Cmdr. Michael Moskowitz, cen-ter, discusses plans for a project withtwo Army colleagues.

Brown & Root workers put a coat ofsun-reflecting white paint on theSEAhuts at Camp America.


“You’d be surprised how much care youcan dispense without entering the cell,” saysNavy Cmdr. Lilly Fotiadis, the Senior NurseCorps Officer at Fleet Hospital 20 — or, as it’sknown in GTMO, Detention Hospital inCamp Delta.

Fotiadis is the division officer for the CampDelta detainee clinic which ministers to themedical needs of the hundreds of detaineesnow being held at Guantanamo Bay as part ofAmerica’s war on terrorism.

The cautious way that members of the hos-pital’s staff have had to dispense care is onlyone of the many things to which they’ve hadto adapt since the hospital started operatinghere in late January.

According to a press release issued by JTF-160, the construction of the structure nowknown as Detention Hospital originallyrequired over 180 people from Camp Lejeune,N.C. It took 17 SEABEES from ConstructionBattalion 423 to clear and pre-pare the land for the hospital inthree days of intense 24-houroperations beginning January18. Tents went up in one dayand the International StandardsOrganization (ISO) containerswere unpacked, expanded andorganized into rooms and stor-age areas fit for labs, wash-rooms and examination rooms.A mere 26 days elapsedbetween the time the warning order wasissued to the unit and the time the first patientwas admitted to the hospital on January 30,2002.

“We can see several detainees at one timein the clinic,” says Fotiadis. “The hospital hasan Acute Care Ward capable of holding eightdetainees, with an expansion potential of 36-40 detainees.”

The capabilities ofthe mobile hospitalare impressive for astructure of such asmall size. The fleethospital is capable ofhandling GeneralSurgery, OrthopedicSurgery, InternalMedicine, InfectiousDisease, FamilyPractice, MentalHealth, PhysicalTherapy, Radiology,Laboratory, andPharmacy.

As of August 13,there had been 8,941outpatient visits and65 admitted patients.The hospital is runby its Officer inCharge, Navy Cmdr. Jaime Carroll.

Fotiadis is in a naval reserve unit attachedto Naval Hospital (NH), Camp Lejeune. She

was recalled to Lejeune in Jan-uary, and then sent here in Aprilto care for detainees. Fotiadissays she received no specialtraining for this assignment,and when her rotation started,she didn’t quite know what toexpect.

“I have never worked in aprison or other maximum secu-rity environment before,” saidFotiadis. “The closest experi-

ence was taking care of the inebriated patientsseen in the Emergency Room of the civilianhospital where I work when I am not on activeduty.”

Carroll stresses safety and security for herstaff. In the hands of someone who meansharm, a pen, a stethoscope, or even a paperclipcould become a weapon, so nothing should beleft lying about.

“It’s just humannature to forget thatthe patients may bedangerous,” saysCarroll. “There’s def-initely teamworkbetween the medicsand the MPs. Wedon’t do anythingmedical without anMP with us.”

“Our primary pro-tection when exam-ining detainees orpassing medicationsis our wonderfulsecurity force. Wenever approach any

detainee without a guard standing right by ourside. In the cellblocks we never ‘go to thedetainee.’ Never do we put our hands in thedoor opening. You can take vital signs, dis-pense medication, and administer eye dropsand ear drops without entering the detainees’cells,” says Fotiadis.

“I did not have clear cut expectations prior

Story and photos by Army Sgt. Michelle M. PessoaThe Wire

This seemingly humble tent is the Detention Hospital’s casualty receiving entrance.

Charting a smooth course: (L to R) Navy Cmdrs. Jaime Carroll and Lilly Fotiadis.

As they prepare to move to a new facility, Fleet Hospital 20 keeps treating the enemy with pride

“I must always remindmyself of just what they are capable of.Security is always

the first thing on our minds.”- Navy Cmdr. Lilly FotiadisSenior Nurse Corps Officer

Navy Senior Chief Marshall W. Adkins: “We have towatch out for each other at all times.”

Detention Hospital: Caring for

Camp America’s stewards areworking on that too.

“While the new barracks arebeing built, we’re doing renova-tions on the SEAhuts,” said StaffSgt. Janet Harnack, assistantcamp commandant and a mem-ber of the 346th MO Co. out ofHutchinson, Kan. “We’restrengthening the floors andcaulking the insides to preventleaking now that hurricane sea-son seems to be here. We’re put-ting fans above theair-conditioning units to help cir-culate the air better. And we’reputting 3 coats of white paint onthe outside. That’ll help reflect

the sun and keep them cooler.”On the one hand, Harnack

said, no one came to GTMOexpecting luxury. From whatthey’d seen on television of thedetention operation’s first sixmonths, her unit was expectingjust what those arriving in Janu-ary had gotten: GP Mediumsunder the hot Caribbean sun.

On the other, this operation ishere to stay. And while operatingwithin the military necessities ofbeing housed in formation condi-tions — this is a deployment, andany quarters of Camp Deltaguards need to be squad-sizedand sited near the action — JTF-160 aims to make life here asliveable as possible.

“This is about quality of life,”Harnack said. The troops here

have a very important mission onthe ground here, and if we canhelp with their quality of lifethat’s one less thing they have toworry about.”

For Moskowitz, a formerSEABEE with 18 years in theNavy, Camp Alpha North is justthe latest in a long list of projectsthat have marked the detentionoperation’s evolution from anexpeditionary, plan-as-you-gomission to something moreestablished and more permanent.

Since first coming to GTMOin December, he’s served as theconstruction point man for both

the JTF and GTMO’s Navy over-seers, and as such has supervisedjust about every constructionproject associated with the JTFmissions: Camp America 1, 2,and 3. Camp X-Ray and CampDelta (and the ongoing DeltaTwo), the old Fleet Hospital andthe new Detainee Hospital.

“You name it, I was involvedin it,” Moskowitz said. “It’s beena lot of work, but I’m proud toserve. This is an important mis-sion. We’re realizing we’re goingto be here a while. So we’re try-ing to do the best we can for thetroops that are here.”


with new barracks, facelift

The new SEAhut: Floor diagram of one room of the planned Camp America North hard barracks. Each room will be a SEAhut-sized 16 feet by 32 feet, with six bunkbeds, 12 wall lockers, 4 overhead lights and an in-house commode and sink.

Brown & Root workers measure outground for Camp America North anddrive in a stake to mark the spot.

A work in progress: Brown & Root workers weld and paint joints on the frame of aCamp America North barracks-to-be. This structure is currently scheduled to becompleted in October.

All except the windows: A structureapproximating the new hard barracksat Camp America North.

ies; Camp Delta and Camp America, the PinkPalace and the “Head Shed” and the ChildDevelopment Center are its shrines. Every-one here is paying homage every day to theblood spilled that September morning withsacrifices of their own. Certainly no one hereis likely to forget; it is why they are here.

But Sept. 11 struck us in a special way. Notjust as soldiers, but as people.

“This event was personalized. It wasn't anattack by a nation, or an army, but of individ-uals, upon individuals,” said Army Chaplain(Lt. Col.) Raymond A. Tetreault. “The peoplewho died on that day didn't consider them-selves at war when they went to work thatday. Neither did America. All that changed,and we all feel vulnerable in a new way.”

“It's an event that has touched all ourlives,” he said, “besides being the reason thatwe're all here.”

And so at 7:30 a.m.in the Camp Americachapel and 6:00 p.m.in the Naval Basechapel, Tetreault andArmy Chaplain (Maj.)Michael S. Merrillwill represent JTF-160’s spiritual sidewith non-denomina-tional services held inmemory of the attacks.

Both services willfeature a slide presentation of Sept. 11 imagesand remarks by NYPD officer Sandra M.Orlandella, an Army Capt. serving as opera-tions officer at the Joint Information Bureau.The morning service will feature commentsfrom JTF-160 Commanding (Brig.) Gen.Rick Baccus; Navy Capt. Robert A. Buehn,base commander, and JTF-170 Commanding(Maj.) Gen. Michael Dunlavey will speak atthe evening service. Attendees are invited tolinger and share recollections of the day.

“It's more spiritual than religious,” said

Tetreault. “But in the aftermath of the attacks,it was to churches and synagogues andmosques that people turned for some kind ofsolace and meaning and sharing. We realizethat this anniversary may be difficult for somepeople, and we want to provide some of thathere as well as remembering the lives thatwere lost that day.”

But for the com-mands of JTF-160 andJTF-170, whose mis-sions honor that dayevery day, it is equallyimportant to take afew moments fromwork to remember ina military way the firstsacrifices of this war.

“Sept. 11 marks thefirst anniversary of thecowardly acts thatkilled thousands of

innocent people and plunged our nation andthis military into a global war,” said Lt. Col.Dennis H. Fink, JTF-170 public affairs offi-cer. “The least we can do is take a little timefrom our day to reflect on those terrible acts.”

And so at exactly 8:46 a.m., the momentthat the first plane struck the first tower, JTF-170 will hold a formation outside its head-quarters at the Child Development Center.Bells will be tolled and “Taps” played, fol-lowed by what Fink called a “brief and fit-ting” memorial service.

Simultaneously, JTF-160's Joint DetentionOperations Group will raise the Americanflag at Camp Delta and hold a moment ofsilence and short ceremony of its own, includ-ing comments from JTF-160 CommandingGen. Rick Baccus.

“Yes, this whole operation is a commemo-ration in itself,” said Army Col. John J. Per-rone, Jr., JDOG commander. "It's a realtestament to the American will. But I think wealso need to take some time to reflect on thatday in history. It really has changed the world,and the fact that we're here on active duty isevidence of that.”

Also deserving of remembrance is a differ-ent kind of soldier killed in that surpriseattack — the firefighters whose sacred duty itwas to rush up the World Trade Center stair-ways when everyone else was rushing down.

At 10:05 a.m. and 10:28 a.m., themoments when the two towers collapsed,members of the civilian GTMO Fire Dept.will hold their own tribute in conjunctionwith fire departments the world over, formingup outside GTMO's four fire stations andsounding the traditional salute to firefightersfallen — three sets of five bells, followed bya moment of silence.

“We're doing this because 343 of the peo-ple that died that day — more than 10 percentof the total — were firefighters,” said GTMOFire Chief Francis C. Kruppa. “That’s proba-bly the largest non-military group that's everdied in a single attack. And they were all inthere with one goal — to save somebody else.So it’s extremely important that firefightersall over the world remember this event.”

And so Sept. 11, 2002 will be in most wayslittle different than any other Wednesday inthe life of this detention operation. MP com-panies will go on and off shift at Camp Delta,take detainees to and from interrogations,play their part supporting this war on terror asthey have since this operation began.Infantrymen and Port Security Units willkeep perimeters and shores safe and secure.Support staffs and command chains will try tokeep the detention operation and its troopswell-fed, fully cared-for and fairly paid.

But now and then throughout the day, atthe times we all know all too well, the mis-sion will pause. Soldiers and sailors, airmenand Marines, Coast Guardsmen and firefight-ers, JTF-160 and JTF-170 alike will stop tohonor the dead and remember the fallen ofthat terrible day, and remind ourselves onemore time: This is why we’re here.


9/11/02, from page 1

Another day in the life of Camp America. By all appearances, Sept. 11, 2002 will likely be no different.

Members of the 239th MP Co. form up last week before heading to Camp Delta to work the swing shift.

The 342nd MP Co. shows its colors on a hoochdoor at Camp America.

For the members of the 114thMilitary Police Company, the MPstands for “multi purpose.”

Since June 10th, the 114th hasbeen here at GTMO performingthe task that they were assigned todo to the best of their abilities. Butit wasn’t familiar.

“Our responsibilities on thismission are different than we havedone in the past,” said Capt.Robert R. Bartran, commander ofthe 114th, a National Guard unitfrom Clinton, Miss. “We are com-monly tasked as combat MPs in acombat environment, but here atGTMO, the roles have beenreversed and our MPs are beingused as corrections officers.”

“The soldiers of the 114th havebeen trained as 95 Bravos, whichare military police officers whodeal with both law-and-order andcombat,” said Bartran. “In thismission here, the soldiers aremostly being used as 95 Charlies,who are corrections officers.

“We previously had the trainingto build and operate a temporaryholding facility in a combat zoneduring a wartime operation, butthis detention facility is built herewith a more permanent structure,”said Bartran.

“The detention facility here is alittle more secured than most of usexpected,” said Spc. Edward M.Herring. “But being that we have asquared-away unit, we will be ableto adapt to the changes.”

“The unit has had previous

training in the apprehending andtransporting of detainees,” saidBartran. “But in the past, wewould turn the individuals over toa correctional facility. Here we areactually running the facility.”

Since the soldiers of the 114thwould be performing unfamiliartasks, extra training was requiredso the servicemembers would beable to perform their duties to thehighest standard.

“To prepare for this deploy-ment, two soldiers were sent toFort Leonard Wood, Missouri tobecome qualified instructors ofNon-lethal weapons,” said Bar-tran. “Also, five high-speed non-commissioned officers were sentto Fort Knox, Kentucky to crosstrain as 95Cs to learn about opera-tions in a correctional facility andthe proper han-dling ofdetainees.”

“We spentsome time in theclassroom train-ing before wewere activated,”said Sgt. KevinG. Burr. “Someof the membersfrom our unitwere sent out forextra training.When theycame back, wespent some timegoing over dif-ferent thingsabout how todeal with the detainees.”

“They were sent to theseschools to learn and become certi-

fied, so thatthey couldcome back andpass that infor-mation on tothe remainderof the com-pany,” saidBartran.

“The train-ing gave us agood insidelook,” saidBurr. “Wewere able toput it to gooduse here at GTMO.”

Such operations here at GTMOare 24 hours a day and seven daysa week. Since they arrived, the114th MP Co. has been responsi-ble for working the overnight shift.

“The night shift is good,” saidBartran. “There’s less work to bedone while the detainees areasleep.”

“The overnight working condi-tions aren’t so bad because theheat is down, and everything ispretty much calm,” said Herring.“The best thing about it is that yougo to work one day, and after youfinish, it’s another calendar daydown.”

One downside to working theovernight shift is the constructionbeing done on much of CampAmerica when the sun is out.

“It’s not so hard to adapt to aschedule such as working theovernight shift,” said Burr. “Thebiggest disadvantage is trying tosleep through all of the bangingduring the day.”

For the soldiers of the 114thMP Co., the mission didn’t starthere at GTMO when they

received their orders to be acti-vated.

“We’ve been activated sinceJanuary,” said Burr. “We spent fivemonths at Fort Campbell, Ken-tucky, conducting law and order.Back then, we just had a possibil-ity of going somewhere else”

“Our duties over at Fort Camp-bell were basic,” said Henning.“Our responsibilities here atGTMO are different, and I amproud to be here doing this.”

“When we got here to GTMO,I think we had a pretty good ideawhat to expect,” said Bartran. “It’sjust very eye-opening knowingthat we are looking into the facesof the world’s terrorists.”

“I’m excited to be here doingmore than law and order,” saidBurr. “I am proud to have joinedthe fight for freedom, and I thinkmost of the unit feels that way;especially now, as the one-yearanniversary of Sept. 11 nears.”

Just like all other deployments,this tour is going to end someday,and the 114th can’t claim to be tooupset at the prospect.

“We’re not there yet, but wehave hit the halfway mark,” saidBartran. “Up to this point we havebeen doing a great job and show-ing much professionalism.”

“Time’s clicking by prettyfast,” said Herring. “I think every-one is looking forward to goinghome to their families.”

“Some people might complainabout the conditions here, butoverall, we should all be glad forwhat we got,” said Burr.

“The days go by slow here atGTMO, but the weeks go by fast,”said Bartran.

But while they’re waiting toship back home, these MPs willcontinue to stay up and keep anever-vigilant eye on the detaineeswhile you sleep.


The 114th MP Co. holds a formation at Camp America beforetransporting over to Camp Delta to perform their vital mission.

Story by Spc. Joseph A.MorrisThe Wire


Soldiers of the 114th MP Co. load onto a bus that will transport them to CampDelta to perform their nightly guard duty shifts.

All night long for the 114th MP Co.

Photo courtesy of 114th MP Co.

Capt. Robert R. Bartran, commander of the 114th MP Co.



This week’s question: How would you describe the United States military in one word?

Navy Chief John Dupee,Naval Base chief harborpilot

“Unequaled.”

David Walsh, civilian,retired NYPD

“Awesome.”

Coast Guard PettyOfficer 3rd ClassAndrew Painter, USCGCutter Bear

“Adaptable.”

Army Pfc. Hollister L.Robinson, 342nd Mili-tary Police Company

“Strong-willed.”

Air Force Tech Sgt.Nickey Crider, J4

“Dedicated.”

Compiled by Spc. Chris S. Pisano and Spc. Joseph A. Morris

Showingappreciation Capt. William W. Elliott, U.S.Marine Corps, presentedtroops of the motor pool withcertificates of appreciationand Marine Corps coins forall their hard work and sup-port to the Marine Corpsmission here Monday.“They’ve been a big help,”said Sgt. Douglas E. Card-well, USMC SecurityForces. “The Marines haveover forty vehicles and fewmechanics. The troopsdown at the motor pool havehelped us to maintain ourvehicles by supplying man-power, parts, and labor.They help us keep the mis-sion rolling.”Photo by Spc. Michelle M. Scsepko

Across

1 Cast metal5 Except9 Seldom13 Display14 Hurry15 Blot (2 wds.)16 Fish stories17 Removes the water18 Artery19 Smart21 Squabble23 Genetic code24 Heptad25 Colorless liquor29 Pigsty30 Matte32 Whichever33 Oak seed36 Lamenting poetry37 Central nervous system38 Treaty organization39 Genetic identical

40 Buckeye State41 Km/h42 Thunderous sounds43 Prayer position44 Downwind45 Volcano46 Pastry47 Fallible49 Fasten50 Pig meat53 Noodle55 Three of a kind57 Confuse60 Black62 Duke63 Pain reliever brand64 Rolled chocolate candy brand65 Region66 Gaiety67 Tinted68 Tinter

Down

1 Loafed2 Prevail3 End4 Snack5 Enact6 __ Gras7 Stiff8 Screen9 House toppers10 April (abbr.)11 Furrow12 Government agency15 Freedom from danger20 Poetic “evening”22 Visualization26 Save27 Red headed orphan28 Household cleaner brand

29 Affirmative30 Regional plant life31 Optical device33 Foot joint34 Leap35 The one left36 Vivacity39 Terra __ (type of clay)40 Single42 Go back on a promise43 Chinese gooseberry46 Anise-flavored liqueur48 Aloft

49 Lifted50 Old51 Fit in52 Shiny balloon material54 Goody two shoes56 Usher57 Container58 Annex59 Charge61 Lad


Frustrated Poetry Corner

by Spc. Joseph A.Morris

Answers to theAugust 30 puzzle

DOWNTOWN LYCEUM

Friday, September 68 p.m. Crocodile Hunter, PG - 89 min

10 p.m. Mr. Deeds, PG-13 - 91 min


8 p.m. Men in Black 2, PG-13 - 91 min10 p.m. Triple X, PG-13 - 114 min

Sunday, September 88 p.m. Minority Report, PG-13 - 140 min

Monday, September 98 p.m. Reign of Fire, PG-13 - 108 min

Tuesday, September 108 p.m. Like Mike, PG - 100 min

Wednesday, September 118 p.m. Crocodile Hunter, PG - 89 min

Thursday, September 128 p.m. Men in Black 2, PG-13 - 91min

CAMP BULKELEY

Friday, September 68 p.m. Crimson Tide, R - 117 min

10 p.m. Exit Wounds, R - 101 min


8 p.m. Saving Silverman, PG-13 - 92 min10 p.m. Reindeer Games, R - 104 min

Sunday, September 88, 10 p.m. Mission Impossible 2, R - 126 min

Monday, September 98 p.m. Three Kings, R - 95 min

Tuesday, September 108 p.m. Chain of Command, R - 102 min

Wednesday, September 118 p.m. Hamburger Hill, R -112 min

Thursday, September 128, 10 p.m. Money Kings, R 96 min

It was a horrible day When they darkened our sky, Dropped us down to our knees,and us asking — why?What did we do To deserve this pain?You cut into our hearts And shaved your name.They chose wrong To do what they did,Of us our courage and unity They can never rid.It was a big mistake When they attacked our towers,Now feel the wrath Of the United States’ powers.As high as the towers stood, We will standWe’ll fight with our livesTo defend this land.


This is the reason why we are all here at GTMO.Camp Delta, which houses detainees from the globalwar on terrorism, is also the workplace for the Mili-tary Police companies that guard them.

While the camp is guarded 24 hours a day, sevendays a week, the early day shift — currently performedby the active-duty 571st MP Co. from Fort Lewis,Wash. — has its own challenges. Operating under the

heat of the sun, these MPs must wake up the detainees,feed them two of their three meals and ensure thatthey’re humanely treated and remain well-behaved.

Their job is demanding, their professionalismheroic. Their work is what shall be placed in theannals of history. The guards at Camp Delta performtheir duties with the highest degree of professionalism,representing the best of the U.S.

Camp Delta guards: day shiftCompiled by Spc. Joseph A. Morris and Chris S. PisanoThe Wire


Camp Delta, as seen from the media observation point, represents the soul of the JTF-160 and JTF-170 missions here at Guantanamo bay. The guards that toil awaywithin the fences are the pulse of this operation. Hour after hour, day after day, they carry the weight of the detention operation upon their proud shoulders.

Sgt. Robert Kearbey, 571st MP Co.“I am glad to be a part of somethingas historical as this. We’re making adifference out here. It’s something totell your grandkids about.”

Pfc. Tawaiski Lanier, 571st MP Co.“It’s an all-right job. The hardest thingis overcoming the heat. But the prideis what keeps me going throughoutthis mission.”

Spc. Tim Schlecht, 571st MP Co.“It’s been a real unique experience.The challenge comes with notbecoming complacent. I try to makethe best of it, though.”

Pvt. Edward Lang, 571st MP Co.“The job is fun. I mean, look at whatwe’re doing here. This is a trulyworthwhile mission, and I’m happyto be a part of it.”


Contact Capt. Gormly at x5249 for moreinformation about MWR events.

* Daily Free Daytime & Evening Lessons forSailing, Kayaking, and Motor Boating at Peli-can Pete’s Marina.* Advanced Step Aerobics Classes, DenichGym, Monday, Wednesday and Friday,5:15PM-6:15PM.* Tae-Kwon Do Classes, Marine Hill AerobicsRoom, Monday-Friday, 6:30PM-7:30PM.* 1-On-1 Spinning Classes, Denich Gym.MWF, 5:30PM-6:30PM, Tues. & Thurs.6:15PM-7:15PM.* Yoga Ultimate Stretch Class, Denich Gym,5:15PM-6:15PM, Tues. & Thurs.* Flag Football Leagues, M-F, 6 PM, CooperField.* 75¢ Bowling, Marblehead Lanes, M-F,1:00PM-4:00PM.

Today, Friday, September 6th6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.

Saturday, September 7th,06:30AM, Commander’s Cup Run, Denich Gym.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.10:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill andDeer Point Pools.

Sunday, September 8th10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.10:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill andDeer Point Pools.

Monday, September 9th6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.

Tuesday, September 10th6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.

Wednesday, September 11th6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.7:00PM, Round Two, Darts Tournament, CBQ.7:00PM-8:00PM, Climbing Classes, Rappel Tower

Thursday, September 12th 6:00AM-6:00PM, Open Swim, Marine Hill Pool.10:00AM-8:00PM, Open Swim, Windjammer Pool.11:00AM-7:00PM, Open Swim, Deer Point Pool.

Find yourself at Bulkeley movies

Deep within the bowels ofGuantanamo Bay exists a gemin the rough that it seems feware willing to find. Ask about it,and most people will questionit’s existence. It is a sanctuary, aplace for calm and individualreflection, aspace whereone can bethankful to bedeployed here.A place whereone can some-times come toview oldaction moviesfrom the‘ 8 0 s … t h eCamp Bulke-ley movie the-ater.

‘Wire’ edi-tor Spc. FrankPellegrini andmyself dis-covered thisa m a z i n gforum of filmtwo weeksago, when weattended a showing of awrongly forgotten classic: a lit-tle Arnold Schwarzeneggeraction piece known as “Com-mando.”

Rolling in a Humvee, we setout in search of this fabledGTMO movie theater, notknowing if its existence wasmere myth. But after searchingthrough a maze of dirt roadsout at Camp Bulkeley, weeventually realized that the leg-end was indeed real.

As we approached this lostbut now found theater, it was asif we had discovered an oasis inthe desert. Was it mere illusion?At first sight, the place seemedabandoned, but the appearanceof a lonely MWR worker bythe projectionist booth reas-sured us that this was nomirage.

Besides us, only two otherenlightened individuals were inattendance. Only seconds aftersettling into our spacious seats,up front near the low-slung

screen, our nearly “privatescreening” began.

As “Commando” burstupon the screen, Pellegrini andI were taken back to a GoldenAge of cinema, a time whengreat, cheesy action movies ofa higher caliber roamed theplanet.

Having not seen this moviesince I was a kid, the experi-

ence of seeing it again on a bigscreen was only enhanced bythe magnificent beauty thatwas this sultry GTMO night.

Every slick one-liner(“Please don’t disturb myfriend. He’s dead tired.”) waspunctuated by an arc of light-ning splintering the sky. Thesteel drums so prevalent in theJames Horner soundtrack wereenhanced by the forebodingsound of distant thunder.

It was an hour-and-a-half ofunadulterated entertainment,and when the credits started toroll, we shook hands heartilyand told each other how gladwe were to have come.

How we had been here atGTMO for three months (andchange) and never paid a visitto this fine theater, escaped usboth. It goes to show, that on abase that is pretty much onelong road, if you look hardenough you can still discovernew treasure.

The sometimes older selec-

tion of movies that play at theBulkeley movie theater is anice change of pace from the ascurrent-as-they-get cinema fareoffered at the DowntownLyceum Theater. (Although“The Sum of all Fears” washardly current by the end of itslong run.) And the apparentlack of visitors to this out-of-the-way spot makes it a nice

getaway from the large crowdsthat can sometimes plagueGTMO’s better-known theater.

But Camp Bulkeley, like thetheater that hides within it, is asite that the tourists apparentlyhave yet to find. A suburb ofthe more famous Camp Amer-ica, it is located down the roadfrom Camp Delta, and it is thehome of only one unit — the178th Military Police Com-pany, National Guard membersout of Monroe, Ga.

So if you ever happen tofind yourself out there nearCamp Bulkeley after the sungoes down, you know the spotto check out.

Of course it helps if a vin-tage action movie starringArnold Schwarzenegger isplaying, but even a flick oflesser quality can benefit fromthe atmosphere out at theserene and secluded CampBulkeley. It’s definitely worththe effort to discover, if for theexperience alone.

Story and photo by Spc. Chris S. PisanoThe Wire

The majestic Bulkeley movie theater. By day, it looks abandoned, nestled on grounds that haveseen better-maintained days. But every night — twice a night — it comes alive.


NAVSTA still perfect on gridiron

Naval Station came from behind with astrong second half to beat 178th MilitaryPolice Company 23-9 Wednesday night atCooper Field.

178th MP Co. stunned Naval Station withintense defensive play in the first half, playingvery aggressively and taking Naval Stationout of their game plan.

In the first series of the game for Naval Sta-tion, the elusive Navy Seaman AntonioRobinson, who is the quarterback for NavalStation, was sacked for a safety.

“Robinson is hard to stop and he is veryquick,” said Army Staff Sgt Joseph K. Ronan.

But 178th MP Co. sacked him three timesin the first half.

Naval Station seemed shocked. The 178thwas the first team to give them real competi-tion in this flag football season. They werebeing tested. Naval Station was on the brink oflosing their perfect season. This was unfamil-iar territory for them.

But Naval Station regrouped from that firstseries and scored on a sweep to take a 7-2 lead.

But the 178th’s “wishbone” offense, withits fast-running quarterback option plays, hadNaval Station on their heels.

A quarterback pitch to Army Staff Sgt.Tony Williams set up the 178 MP Co.’s firsttouchdown of the game, putting them aheadby a score of 9-7.

Then their defense stopped Naval Stationfrom coming down the field and scoring.Naval Station was forced to punt the footballback to the 178th, which returned it for 37

yards. That put them in good field position andgave them a chance to score before the half.

Williams ran to the left to break a 20-yardplay. That gave the MPs a first down and goalto go. With the clock running down, 178th MPCo. was threatening to put points on the board.

But Naval Station’s defense picked up andprevented them from scoring on their next twoplays, and soon the 178th was in danger ofrunning out of time.

They came out of the huddle with no time-outs left, and by the time they got to the line ofscrimmage and began to call an audible thereferee had blown the whistle. The first halfcame to an end.

178th MP Co. knew they had just let agolden opportunity slip through their hands.They hadn’t used the game clock wisely. Thismistake could haunt them later in the game.

But they were still ahead 9-7, the first timeNaval Station had found themselves on thelosing side at halftime. Would it be enough?

“Naval Station is a tough team and youhave to score as many points as you can tobeat them,” said Ronan.

“To maintain the lead against Naval Stationwe have to stay rock-steady,” said the 178thcoach, Army Spc. George Lallas, at halftime.“We need to keep the pressure up and keephitting them hard. I was pleased with our per-formance in the first half. We were able tominimize our mistakes and we need to con-tinue play like this the whole game.”

Naval Station was only down by two andthey didn’t look worried on the sidelines.

“We need to hold them on defense and stopthem from scoring. I need to stop throwinginterceptions,” said Robinson. “They are agood team. This is the first test of the seasonfor Naval Station. We plan to air the ball outand hit them hard in the second half.”

Even though 178th MP Co. didn’t score atthe end of the first half, they would have thefootball at the start of the second half, and feltas though they were still in control of thegame. Their offense was clicking on all cylin-ders — until Robinson intercepted the ball.

This play shifted the momentum of the gameand seemed to light a fire under Naval Station.Robinson took charge and took his teamdownfield. But as they were in the red zone,Robinson throw an ill-advised pass that wasalmost picked off by the 178th.

Robinson maintained his composure andon the next play he threw a strike to NavyPetty Officer 2nd Class Bill Goodwin for atouchdown.

“Catching that touchdown felt good, and itput us back on top. They were taking us out ofour game plan,” said Goodwin. “Their quickoption offense threw us off on defense but wewere able to adjust.”

Now up 14-9, Naval Station was back infamiliar territory. The 178th squad wasn’t ableto score on its next two drives, and Robinsonwas now on top of his game as he was pickingapart the defense with precision passing.

“We had to use our two tight-end offense toopen up the field,” said Goodwin.

Robinson was able to keep avoiding theconstant pressure 178th MP Co. put on himand find the open man downfield. And whenRobinson threw a 22-yard pass to Navy PettyOfficer 2nd Class Jay S. Wojcik, it sealed thevictory and kept Naval Station’s undefeatedseason alive. Their record is now 7-0 and firstplace in their division.

Flag Football Standings

CRUNCHING CENTRALNaval Station 7-0239th MP Co. 6-0178th MP Co. 4-2NCTAMS 4-2Hood Ratz 3-2MIUW 204 2-3Cactus Curtain 1-5Wildcats 0-6

MONSTROUS MIDWEST Hospital 5-1MCSF Co. 5-2Buckeyes 4-2Security 3-4Chucks 2-4War Eagles 2-4Gun Runners 2-4JTF-170 2-5Angry Beavers 0-6

Story and photos bySpc. Jose A. MartinezThe Wire

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jay S. Wojcik blows bytwo defenders from 178th MP Co. for a 19-yard gain.

Navy Seaman Antonio Robinson eludes the sackand runs for 15 yards in a win over 178th MP Co.


Chaplains’ Corner

Provost Marshal’s Office

I’d read somewhere that at the Sept. 11commemorations in New York City, formermayor Rudy Giuliani will be reading AbrahamLincoln’s Gettysburg Address. I found thatvery interesting. So I started researching it, andcame across this letter — a man named DavidWills’ invitation to President Lincoln to comeand deliver “a few appropriate remarks” toGettysburg to dedicate the cemetery that hadbeen built there. As we ask ourselves, whycommemorate? I think Wills explains it verywell.

“It will be a source of great gratification tothe many widows and orphans that have beenmade almost friendless by the Great Battlehere, to have you here personally; and it willkindle anew in the breasts of the Comrades ofthese brave dead, who are now in the tentedfield or nobly meeting the foe in the front, aconfidence that they who sleep in death on theBattle Field are not forgotten by those highest

in Authority; and they will feel that, shouldtheir fate be the same, their remains will not beuncared for.”

Lincoln, of course, accepted the invitationand delivered on November 19, 1863 one ofthe most famous speeches in history, all themore remarkable for its brevity and concisebeauty. As Lincoln said:

“It is...for us to be here dedicated to thegreat task remaining before us — that fromthese honored dead we take increased devo-tion to that cause for which they gave the lastfull measure of devotion — that we herehighly resolve that these dead shall not havedied in vain — that this nation, under God,shall have a new birth of freedom — and thatgovernment of the people, by the people, forthe people, shall not perish from the earth.”

— Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) RaymondA. Tetreault.

Time is passing quickly for JTF-160 unitsdeployed at GTMO, but a predictable pattern ofdaily routines has taken over. It can be easy attimes to lose focus of our mission, which is toguard and detain those who would otherwise befree to plan and wage terrorist attacks against theU.S.

Whether you realize it or not, everyone here— mechanics, bus drivers, infantry, militarypolice, and clerks — has an important job in sup-port of the war against terrorism. We are not inAfghanistan, but it doesn't make our jobs any lessimportant or dangerous.

A lucky few have the privilege from time totime of enjoying their weekends off by relaxingat one of the base clubs over a few drinks. Butconsuming alcoholic beverages at GTMO is aprivilege not to be abused.

It is disconcerting to find that Drunk and Dis-orderly behavior still occurs among JTF-160 per-sonnel, even those who have been here for a

while. We have stated in this column many timesin the past that this is in direct violation of PolicyLetter #1: Alcohol Consumption, andNAVBASE regulations.

Regardless of your branch of service, if youare a member of JTF-160 who is arrested for aDrunk & Disorderly incident and found to be inviolation of the Alcohol Consumption policy, Ican guarantee you that you will face UCMJ pro-ceedings.

The main reason we are here is to do our job.With all due consideration, our mission comesfirst and everything else is secondary. Rememberthat the reputation you make for yourself whileyou are here will follow you to your next assign-ment.

— Maj. Gary J. Cipolletta, DeputyProvost Marshal, JTF-160

Lessons from Gettysburg

JTF-160 Commanding Gen. Rick Baccus

JTF-160 CommandCommander:Brig. Gen. Rick BaccusDeputy Commander:Navy Capt. Robert A. BuehnPublic Affairs Officer:Lt. Col. Joseph A. HoeyJoint Information Bureau Director:Army Maj. Donna L. ScottOIC, Command Information:Army Maj. Sandra SteinbergOnline at:www.nsgtmo.navy.mil/JTF-160/index.htm

The Wire StaffNCOIC:Sgt. Maj. Daniel M. PolinskiEditor-in-Chief:Sgt. Michelle M. PessoaNews Editor: Spc. Frank N. PellegriniStaff writers and design team:Spc. Chris S. PisanoSpc. Joseph A. MorrisSpc. Michelle M. ScsepkoSpc. Jose A. MartinezPfc. Jean-Carl BertinContact us:5239/5241 (Local phone) 5246 (Local fax)Joint Information Bureau / Pink Palace

The Wire is produced by the 361st Public Affairs Detach-ment (PCH) assigned to the Joint Information Bureau atJTF-160. This publication is printed under the provisionsprovided in Army Regulation 360-1 and does not reflect theviews of the Department of Defense or the personnelwithin.

A message from Chief of Staff of theArmy, Gen. Eric K. Shinseki:

On 11 September, 2001, without warn-ing or reason, the forces of hatred andfear attacked America. We all rememberthe pain and anger we felt in the after-math of those attacks as we honoredfallen comrades, colleagues, dearfriends, and loved ones who had beenlost. Some who survived will live in agonyfor the rest of their lives. We embraced allof their families during the pain of theirbereavement. In remembrance of the sac-rifices made that day, we will pause on 11September, 2002 for a moment of silenceand quiet reflection at each installationand garrison throughout the Army. Thetimes for this observance will be coordi-nated by each major command.

Our nation has provided and contin-ues to provide the world leadershipneeded to bring to justice those responsi-ble for these terrible attacks. In the yearsince, the Army, in concert with otherservices and our allies, has devoted itselfto winning the global war on terrorism,providing stability in those regions of theworld important to us, and training todefend the United States and its interests.These commitments have not been with-out further sacrifice by soldiers who havegone into harm’s way on our behalf.

The Army remains “on point for thenation,” as it has for over 227 years. Byprotecting and preserving our way of life,soldiers are keeping faith with all Ameri-cans. The Army is strong; it is ready. Sec-retary White and I, as well as the rest ofthe Army leadership, are privileged byyour service and inspired by your exam-ples of loyalty, duty, honor, and integrity.Your courage, selfless service, andrespect for one another, and for others,make us the great Army that we are andenable us to fulfill our contract with theAmerican people — to fight and win ournation’s wars, decisively.

So as we pause this 11 September toremember the sacrifices of so many dur-ing those attacks — in Washington, inNew York City, and in Pennsylvania — itis appropriate that we reflect on what itmeans to be an American.

God bless each and every one of you,God bless this magnificent Army of ours,and God bless America.


Sgt. 1st Class Arthur T. Martin Jr., 239th MP Co.

Q: What is your mission here at GTMO?A: I work in food service. My soldiers and

I are responsible for the feeding of detainees.

Q: How’s the Army been treating you?A: My experiences in the Army have been

excellent. Being able to adapt, and payingattention to detail are the keys to success.

Q: You joined right out of high school?A: Yes I did. It was either the Army for col-

lege or bust.

Q: So you’re in this Army thing for thelong haul?

A: Yes, an extra pension is a must, thanksto Enron.

Q: Tell us about that drill sergeant patch onyour uniform.

A: Well, I graduated from a reserve-com-ponent drill sergeant school, but unfortunatelyI never went “on the trail” to train troops. Butmy skills were applied every day when Iworked at the #2 “boot camp” program in thenation, I.M.P.A.C.T., straightening out kids.

Q: What was the best thing about that?A: To see that you have made a positive

change in someone’s life. Also having gradu-ates’ moms coming up to you thanking youwith a big hug and a kiss on the lips.

Q: You still think about training troops?A: Yes, I have a strong passion to. Hope-

fully I will get a chance.

Q: What sort of a drill sergeant would youmake?

A: I’m like “Major Payne.” They might notlike me, but they will respect me.

Q: So your soldiers would have night-mares about you.

A: Yes, of course.

Q: So, back in your basic training days,you must have been pretty squared away.

A: I was platoon sergeant until I got caught

eating a Jolly Rancher. They fired me andmade me a road guard.

Q: You must of been in top-notch shapeback then, are you still a PT stud?

A: Yes, of course.

Q: How long can you do flutter kicks for?A: Until my abs develop a 12 pack.

Q: Can you catch bullets with your teeth?A: No. I wouldn’t even attempt to.

Q: Can you dodge bullets like in “TheMatrix”?

A: Negative. If someone starts shooting atme, I’m ducking and moving.

Q: That’s the idea. So let’s say you startrunning back home; where would that be?

A: Baton Rouge, La.

Q: Bad things are going on back there rightnow, with all of these serial killers runningaround.

A: They’d be no serial killers if I was backon the block. Me and the other 239th horse-

men, Leachman, Taylor and Horton, wouldround them up quick, fast and in a hurry.

Q: So you must go to Mardi Gras?A: Yes, of course. I saw my first nice

‘Manuckaduck’ there.

Q: Right...is that one New Balance sneakeryou’re wearing and those two crutches youhave within Army regulations?

A: At ease. I got banged up playing flagfootball. But I’m proud to say that the ‘BlackSheep’ are 5-0 and counting. Ya heard me?

Q: Well now, what do you do in your sparetime?

A: Watch TV, go out to Camp America toconversate with the horsemen and ‘performsurgery.’

Q: Sure...so what’s to come for you onceyou start collecting that Army pension?

A: Law enforcement, on a drug task force.

Q: Do think you’ll be the next Shaft?A: Yes, of course. Our bald heads have that

same irresistible shine to them.

Photo by Army Sgt. Michelle M. Pessoa

Sgt. 1st Class Arthur T. Martin Jr.: checking Pink Palace badges and keeping an eye out for those serial killers.

Next week’s 15 minutes of fame could be you!

Compiled by Spc. Chris S. Pisano andSpc. Joseph A. MorrisThe Wire

Ducking and moving with Drill Sgt. skill

“On the one hand, we’re all working thatday, just like every other day,” said CampAmerica’s assistant camp commandant, StaffSgt. Janet Harnack of the 346th MP Co. “Onthe other, it should never be an ordinary day.”

Such is the balance JTF-160 and JTF-170are striking as the one-year anniversary of lastyear’s Sept. 11 terrorist attacks approaches.One year after hijacked planes full of jet fuelslammed into both World Trade Center tow-ers and the Pentagon; one year after a fourthplane — thought to be headed for the WhiteHouse — was heroically brought down in aPennsylvania field by its self-sacrificing pas-sengers; one year after thousands died andmillions cried and the world’s most powerfulnation was plunged into war with a shadowynetwork of terrorists, it is time to rememberwhat we can never forget.

Certainly the U.S. military has been honor-ing Sept. 11 since the terrible morning itself.Reservists in New York City and Washington,D.C. reported for duty at city armories whiledust and debris were still falling. NationalGuard members went to work establishingperimeters and guarding airports. The Penta-

gon dusted itself off, mourned its dead andbegan prosecuting a war on terror inAfghanistan, liberating a nation from arepressive government and hunting terroriststo the darkest corners of the deepest caves.

And as 2001 turned to 2002, that war grewa rear guard here on Guantanamo Bay. Aremote Caribbean naval base, once near towithering away, is teeming anew with ser-vicemembers again, all working to operate —and protect — a detention operation that notonly keeps our enemies off the battlefield butmines intelligence that saves American livesboth military and civilian.

Nearly 80 percent of the servicemembershere are reservists, with lives uprooted fromjobs and homes and hometowns — theyhonor Sept. 11 merely by calling GTMOhome. So too do active-duty servicemembers,far from Fort Lewis in Washington state, Kirt-land Air Force Base in New Mexico or any ofthe towns across America that active-dutyunits here call home.

Operation Enduring Freedom is the U.S.military’s tribute to Sept. 11. In GuantanamoBay, JTF-160 and JTF-170 are its missionar-

Published in the interest of personnel assigned to JTF-160 and COMNAV Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

GTMO gets ready to rememberFriday, September 6, 2002Volume 2, Issue 13


How the detention opera-tion will memorialize theawful day that spawned it.

Members of the 239th Military Police Co. get ready to go on shift at Camp Delta last week. Like all membersof JTF-160 and JTF-170 here, they will honor Sept. 11, 2002 simply by going to work.

See 9/11/02, page 5

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