JTF Guantanamo Top Brass Addresses Troopers

=JTF Guantanamo Top Brass Addresses Troopers=

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

Troopers living in the Tierra Kay housing complex will soon see a series of changes. That was one of the messages delivered by JTF Guantanamo Commander Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey

Harbeson during a recent series of allhands meetings.

Harbeson said work is nearly complete on the mini-NEX in the Tierra Kay housing area, with completion expected by late winter or early spring.

“What I need to know from you now is what sort of things we need to populate the new mini-NEX with,” Harbeson said.

Harbeson also used to the opportunity to speak about a new fire suppression system being installed at the TK complex. Harbeson said contractors would work block-to-block during the installation process, requiring Troopers living in impacted units to temporarily relocate for up to three weeks.

“We are looking into several different options for the relocation,” Harbeson said, noting the Bay Hill area was one of the options being considered.

“This is not a perfect situation but it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

In addition to the efforts underway at the TK, Harbeson said a new Club Survivor, an MWR facility, near the Seaside Galley is in the works and all of the sea huts on Camp America are scheduled to be taken down. Harbeson said both projects should be complete in the Spring of 2011.

Following the updates, the Admiral talked about some of the distinguished visitors coming to the island in the near future.

“They value the feedback you provide them,” said the Admiral. “So don’t be shy if they ask you any questions.”

In the nearly nine years since the formation of JTF Guantanamo, the island has been host to several congressional delegations, along with a slew of highranking dignitaries anxious to visit theirTroopers working with the task force.

Harbeson took the opportunity to also answer one of the common questions he hears following VIP visits.

“‘How come the detainees seem to have it better than the Troopers working here’ is one of those things I often hear,” he said, pointing out facilities for many of the detainees include video game systems, high definition television and other amenities.

Harbeson answered the question by noting the unique status of those detained at Guantanamo.

“Of the 174 detainees here, three have been convicted,” the Admiral said. “With one having charges against him. That’s the truth of the situation.”

Harbeson said he was proud of the work done by his Troopers and he would put his operations up against any other facility in the world.

“We maintain the gold standard with our operations here,” Harbeson said. “There are those out there who would make accusations I would say to them, come here and see our operations — we maintain the highest standard in the world.”

Moving on to address a series of rumors concerning possible changes to the face of the task force, Harbeson said there were several discussions ongoing with Southern Command, the higher headquarters of the JTF.

“We are reviewing several possible course of actions,” said Harbeson. “Nothing has been decided or approved by Gen. Fraser (Gen. Douglas Fraser, Commander, U.S. Southern Command) and we continue to discuss opportunities.”

Harbeson answered several questions concerning mold conditions at the TK housing area as well as increasing capacity at laundry facilities in the Cuzco Barracks area. Harbeson said he and his senior leadership would look into the issues presented during the meeting.