January 13, 2017• VOL. 74 • NO. 33• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 757-458-4520
Ports Ops Always on Call
Port Operations personnel on board a tug boat manuever USS Zumwalt into position along a pier at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Nov 15, 2016. Photo by MC2 John Philip Wagner, Jr. MC2 John P. Wagner, Jr. Photo Journalist
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aval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) has one of the most unique arrangements amongst military bases in the entire Department of Defense with a large bay between the airfield and the main part of the base resulting in a wide variety of Port Operation requirements. “It’s about the amount of water that is involved, size of the bay, that makes NSGB different than many other ports,” said Lt. Cdr. Timothy Yeich, Port Operations Officer. “Additionally, we run the only ferry service, for the most part, that the Navy has. We run two ferry’s on a daily basis that move people and vehicles back and forth between Windward and Leeward side on a daily basis.” The Port Operation Department is responsible for husbanding services provided to visiting operating forces of the U.S. Navy, other services and NATO-supported counter-drug and migrant operations throughout the Caribbean Sea. NSGB shares Guantanamo Bay with our Cuban neighbors and monitors all transiting marine traffic, as done world-wide, for safety.
Yeich had this to say about the relationship between the Sailors, the contractors and the Bay. “We have a very large responsibility to the Bay and enforcing the rules and regulations of the Bay. I think all of the port ops personnel do a fantastic job and they should be commended for the amount of time, work, energy and enthusiasm that they put into doing their jobs.” As a contractor with Port Operations, Michael S. Spiker said one of the changes since his time in the Navy is that a lot of things are done by contract, where previously Sailors did all their own equipment maintenance and gear overhauls. With the wide variety of water activities the NSGB community participates in, someone has to track all personnel on, in or under the waters off-shore - whether on duty or out for recreation. “Another key mission the we are responsible for is the tracking and approving all recreational dive plans and boating float plans of personal and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) boats,” said Garce. Most people think the base a quiet, sleepy little community. Our port stays pretty busy. We get special groups of people coming down like UCT, Combat Camera and other groups that require special boat runs while they are down here for training and exercises,” said Spiker.
“We don’t have any jurisdiction over any of the ships coming in or out of Cuba,” said Quarter Master 2nd Class Anna Garce, a Port Operations Sailor. “We have made an arrangement with Cuba that says if they have to get in there, they have to get in there. It’s never really an issue,” Garce expressed feelings about her port ops job. “I know that I’m not just helping my division; I’m helping the Coast Guard pull in if they and shipping information is provided. need to be refueled. I’m helping big Navy and I’m also helping a lot of people in other branches of the military.” Port Operations is made of quarter masters, boatswain’s mates, hull technicians, operations specialists, logistics specialist, Navy divers and As demands on Port Operation grow, the New Year revitalizes Port operations specialists.
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PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Captain David Culpepper congratulates Logistics Specialist Second Class Zachary Fabian for the Week of 3-10 January 2017.
LS2 ZACHARY FABIAN
■Job/Department: Logistics Specialist ■Age: 29 ■Hometown: Fergus Falls, NM ■Hero: Jim Lukken (Grandfather) and LeRoy Brown (Great-Grand Father) ■TV Show: Mr. Robot ■Hobby: Spearfishing and woodworking ■Greatest Passion: Spearfishing ■Quote: “Damn the torpedo’s full speed ahead.” ■Goals: 100-foot free-dive ■Currently working on: Degree in Business Administration ■Greatest Accomplishment: Decommissioned the AIMD IMRL program onboard USS Enterprise, with the program having more than 12,000 items valued at over $200,000,000 transferred in a four month timeframe. Navy Has Improved my life by: My my oldest daughter was born with significant health issues. Without the Navy-provided healthcare, it would be very costly - especially the NICU neonatal care. The Navy has improved my life in many ways, but a healthy duaghter is far more important to me. ■Sailor of the Week Because: LS2, while working in a warehouse without power or lighting, designed and constructed 0 shelving units out of wood using hand tools and saving NSGB over $1,000. He then organized and stowed over $900,000 in Law enforcement and Force Protection gear. His devotion to the mission directly empacted the readiness of the security department and issuance of security equipment. VOL. 74 • NO. 33
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. DAVID CULPEPPER CMDR. DENNIS MOJICA CMDCM (SW/AW) THOMAS MACE
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER PHOTOJOURNALIST EDITOR/LAYOUT
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
MS. JULIE ANN RIPLEY PO2 JOHN PHILIP WAGNER, JR. PO2 JOHN PHILIP WAGNER, JR.
The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 535.
January 13, 2017• PAGE 3
NHGB Phone a Friend Program Starts by Joycelyn Biggs Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Charles Groomes, center, discusses treatment plans via video teleconference during a simulated pediatric code purple at Naval Hospital Guantanamo Hospital. (Photo by Joycelyn Biggs, NHGB Public Affairs Office)
he first telemedicine pilot program for Navy Medicine East was launched at Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Dec 8th. The program provides additional medical support to isolated facilities via video and telephonic calls.
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abruption. This real-time scenario required participants from anesthesia, blood bank, emergency room, labor and delivery, and a pediatrician. Dr. Robert Englert, staff neonatologist, NMC Portsmouth, said he was impressed with everyone involved.
The HELP system is for health care providers in all branches of the armed forces who are in NME’s area of responsibility, for which NMCP is the flagship medical center. The region - from Texas to Bahrain - spans 10 time zones and makes real-time teleconsultation impractical.
“I got chills,” Englert said at the end of the exercise. “It was so impressive. This team empowers one another and they really work together well.” Groomes confirmed Englert’s assessment.
The telemedicine initiative gives health care providers access to specialists at NMCP when they need to consult about a difficult medical case that is not an emergency. These providers can be independent duty corpsmen on small ships, medical officers on carriers or doctors at military hospitals and clinics who don’t have local access to specific specialties. The goal of the consult system is to reduce unnecessary medical evacuations from ships at sea and overseas, as well as to reduce patient referral to the civilian health care network. This initiative has already proven to be an essential asset. Dr. Chase Groomes, a NHGB pediatrician, utilized telemedicine by calling a neonatal critical care subject matter expert at Navy Medical Center, Portsmouth in the early morning hours. The NMC Portsmouth neonatologist was able to provide confirmation of the planned treatment approach. Groomes also received additional suggestions for treatment options and long term management during the call. “This case shows the great value of telemedicine support by specialists to providers in remote areas,” said CAPT David Jones, NHGB commander. “We’re all very pleased with how this type of collaboration keeps us all moving forward toward the best in patient safety and high reliability.” Jones revealed he is excited to play a role in the development of this program. “I am so proud my team was chosen to spearhead this initiative,” he said. “Their efforts have diminished some challenges we face in our remotely located hospital, improved readiness and enhanced patient care. At the end of the day, that’s why we are here.” To ensure the highest standards using telemedicine are maintained, NHGB recently completed a full scale exercise. The scenario was a patient with the baby’s head crowning and profuse bleeding due to a placenta
“I have never seen a team work so well together while providing care to patients in the nine years I have worked in the medical field,” Groomes said. He added being able to reach out to neonatal critical care experts will only enhance the high quality care provided in Guantanamo Bay. Not only is this initiative benefiting patients here, the NHGB team is creating a telemedicine roadmap for other remote hospitals in NME according to Englert. “The lessons learned in Guantanamo Bay will be shared as we expand this program to other facilities in Navy Medicine East,” Englert said. According to HELP policy, specialists at NMCP will answer a consult within 72 hours of its submission, but response time is expected to be quicker - around 14 hours - based on response times by a similar system on the west coast. HELP uses the same technology as PATH, or Pacific Asynchronous TeleHealth system, which was developed by Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. PATH processes more than 3,000 cases a year from 20 hospitals and clinics throughout the Pacific region, involving 40 different medical and surgical specialties - saving up to $750,000 annually in medevac costs. In a review of 1,000 pediatric teleconsultations through PATH, referral to a local specialist was decreased by up to 43 percent with a cost savings of at least $200,000. HELP is expected to give military treatment facilities on this side of the globe similar savings and reduction in network referrals. HELP offers additional benefits: completed consults can be added to the patient’s medical record, NMCP can track specialty workload to ensure staff is available for all patient care, and NMCP can analyze the nature of the consults to identify opportunities to provide additional training to the providers who submit consults.
Just Keep S
Swimming
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
MOVIES
THE CLASSIFIEDS
To place an ad please send an e-mail to PAO@GTMO.NAVY.MIL
$.47 Forever Stamps will still be valid after 22 Jan. For more information contact Mr. Will Smith or Mr. Rich Vargas at 2156.
The
Intro to Paintballing: Join Liberty for paintball! Jan 21 at 9am at Ground Zero Paintball Range. All skill levels are invited. Beginners can learn how to play. Then USPS Rate Increase. practice your skills! Register Effective 22 Jan 2017, the at Marine Hill Liberty Center Price of a 1st Class Mail by Fri. Jan 20. for more info Forever Stamps will increase call Liberty at 3379. from $.47 to $.49. Current
Scoop
Volunteers Needed. We are looking for volunteers at the Liberty Center. For more info call DOWNTOWN LYCEUM 2262 Marathon & Half Marathon Jan 28. Register by Jan. 26, starts at Cooper Field, Full Marathon Check in at 4am,begins 4:30am, Half Marathon, Check in 5am and begins at 5:30am
OMBUDSMAN
NAVSTA:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
NAVAL HOSPITAL:
Carrie McCormick Kendra Keesey
TC Bacon
E-mail: ombudsmannsgb@gmail.com Phone: 84792
January 13, 2017• PAGE 7
E-mail: Ombudsman.usnh.gtmo@gmail.com Phone: 55379
Fleet and Family Support Center
UPCOMING CLASSES Sponsorship Training: Jan. 17, 0900-1000 at FFSC. Do you want to help other service members as they prepare to transfer to NSGB? Well, this class will help you learn your responsibilities as a sponsor to be better able to help those Sailors, Marines and Civilians as they transition to NSGB. TGPS Capstone Event: Jan 18, 0900-1000 at FFSC. For individuals who have completed the Transition Goals Plans Success (TGPS). Students will work with staff to review the ITP, resume and budget to meet Career Readiness Standards for transition. Million Dollar Service Member: Jan 18-19 0800-1630 at FFSC. Do you want to be financially sound? Do you want to stengthen your career? Do you want to build wealth? This two day course will help you be able to do that. DODTAP Transition Assistance Program: Jan 30 -Feb 3, 0730-1630 at FFSC. Transition GPS is mandatory and open to all military personnel. Prior to registration, please complete DD Form 2648 or 2648-1 with the career counselor. Are you Separating within a year, retiring within two years, or a Reservist? This class will help you prepare. To register or for more information please call 4141 or 4153. Hours of Operation are: Mon-Fri., 0730-1630.
FRIDAY 7p.m.:
Jan 13
SATURDAY Patriots Day 7p.m.
Jan 14
Sleepless R 9pm: Assassin’s Creed PG-13
R
9:30p.m. SUNDAY
Passengers PG-13 Moana PG Sing PG
MONDAY Bad Santa 7 p.m.:
Jan 15
Jan 16
R
TUESDAY Jan 17 7 p.m.: Hidden Figures PG
WEDNESDAY Jan 18 7 p.m.: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story PG-13
THURSDAY Jan 19 Sing 7 p.m.: PG
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
ATTENTION ALL HANDS **As per order of the Commanding Officer, all operation of Unmanned Aircraft (UA) onboard Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is PROHIBITED until further Notice** More information to follow in written order and local instruction.
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Operations’ future. “One of the things we are working with Region to acquire is a 400-ton travel lift that will allow us to raise and perform maintenance on all the boats that are part of Port Ops,” said Yeich. As the department prepares for upcoming maintenance on one of its most vital pieces of infrastructure, Wharf Bravo, they will have to monitor and coordinate these repairs so that there will be no impact to their mission. In 2016 Port Operations conducted 220 ship movements, moved more than 182-thousand passengers and 28-thousand vehicles on their two ferries, conducted 111 harbor pilot operations, 75 ammunition movements, 61 medical evacuations, 11detainee movement operations - totaling more than 15-thousand operating hours. They’ve also tracked and approved more than 14-thousand dive plans and 8-thousand recreational float plans. The six divers in the dive locker conducted 167 mission essential dives totaling more than 170 hours of bottom time and two successful lifesaving decompression chamber treatments. And their mission support continues to grow.