October 6, 2017• VOL. 75 • NO. 51• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
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Navy Lodge Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Celebrates National Hospitality Week By Joycelyn Connage Johnson, CHS, General Manager
To celebrate Navy Lodge housekeeping, front desk and maintenance staffs for the tireless work they do on a daily basis to support military families, Navy Lodge Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has participated in National Hospitality Week, September 14-25 with a series of activities that the entire staffs participate in. “My Navy Lodge staff looks forward to Hospitality Week each year,” said NL general manager’s Joycelyn Connage-Johnson. “This week allows our associates to show off their housekeeping and guest service skills and have fun at the same time.” According to NL general manager’s ConnageJohnson, the following events took place at Navy Lodge , towel folding contests, bed making and pillow stack race. Commanding Officer ,Captain David Culpepper was in attendance, he kick-off the celebration with the
VOL. 75 • NO. 51
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
pillow stack race, won by associate Orsmby. Captain David Culpepper, awarded each associate Award of Excellence in Hospitality In addition to free breakfast and Wi-Fi, Navy Lodge guests will find oversized rooms and family suites with living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen, premium TV channels, soft and firm pillows, guest laundry facilities as well as handicapped accessible. As an added convenience, dogs and cats up to 50 pounds in weight can stay at many Navy Lodges when traveling with its owner. To make a reservation at a Navy Lodge, call 800628-9466, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or go online at navy-lodge.com. To make a reservation at Navy Lodge GTMO, call 011-5399-3103 or send us an email at navylodge.guantanamobay. guestservice@nexweb.org.
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 SPC DANYELLE THOMPSON, SGT STACEY BROWN MC1 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.
JTF Troopers participate in Vigilant Warrior Challenge By SPC Danyelle Thompson, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
Nineteen Troopers, two female and 17 male, assigned or attached to the 525th Military Police Detention Battalion competed in the Vigilant Warrior Challenge, here, at Cooper Field on September 22, 2017. The goal was to earn a gold, silver, or bronze award, based on their performance in the seven events, which took place over the course of 3 and one-half hours. “What does this competition mean to me? It means a challenge, because it shows me my limits,” said Trooper #1, “Besides that, it shows me what I’m capable of. And for my group, my unit, and my peers it shows who we are, where we are, and where we’re going as a team. That’s what this competition is. It doesn’t matter if you fail or win. What matters is that you are in it and that’s the most important thing, that we work as a team.” The Vigilant Warrior Challenge is a quarterly event that provides an opportunity to recognize troopers for achieving high standards in several activities. It includes physical fitness and mental and technical challenges such as: 100-meter sprint, pull ups, dead lift, sit-ups, push-ups, 5k run, and Army Soldier skills tests. To be eligible, the troopers need a physical fitness test score of 240 or higher, a completed college course or military correspondence course within 90 days of the competition, and qualification on their assigned weapon within one year of the competition. “I think it’s a great way to represent your unit and where you came from,” said Trooper #2. “We’re all from different parts of the country. We’re all coming together to try and represent our companies.” The troopers in this competition were able to challenge themselves in new ways, see what their personal best was and exceed that, said Trooper #3. Many in the competition trained for months prior to prepare, with the goal of proving to themselves and others that they were capable of being better than what they were the day before.
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“When I got here… I couldn’t even do a pull up and I just did 14 without a problem,” said Trooper # 4. “I think a lot of people are here to prove not only to other people, but also themselves that they can do this. Especially if you put work into it and really push yourself.” Even after all the storms that devastated many different places, the troopers were still able to focus on the mission and make things happen, said Army Lt. Col. Andrew Deaton, commander, 525th Military Police Detention Battalion. “Whether it be United States, whether it be anywhere else, they’re always going to be focused on family,” said Deaton, “But even in challenging times they’re going to keep going, they’re going to keep driving on, because they have that bond with each other and they have that drive for excellence and they won’t let anything stop them.” The troopers had many supporters throughout the competition cheering them on. Spectators weren’t anything less than proud by the performance that the competing troopers displayed, said a spectating trooper. “To meet the standard isn’t good enough, and that’s the kind of example a junior soldier should show: that personal conduct and leadership,” said Deaton, “See, showing that drive, you can always achieve more. Event points will be tallied and troopers will be ranked according to their points and receive some type of reward. Gold is awarded for 2124 points, silver awarded for 16-20 points, and bronze is awarded for 8-15 points. Troopers that achieve the standards for gold will receive an Army Achievement Medal and a four day pass, silver will receive a Battalion Certificate of Achievement and a 3 day pass, and bronze will receive a Battalion Certificate of Achievement and three day pass. Six out of the 19 troopers completed the Vigilant Warrior Challenge, four earning a gold and two earning silver.
Gary Sinise and Lt. Dan Band visit NSGB By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Philip Wagner, Jr, NAVSTA Public Affiars
Gary Sinise better known as Lt. Dan from the movie Forest Gump visited the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) community and Joint Task Force troopers, Thursday, Sept 28 and the Lt. Dan Band performed a concert for approximately 1000 member of the community that evening at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Downtown Lyceum. During his visit Sinise toured the base, participated in the new W. T. Sampson Elementary/High School ground breaking ceremony, and visited with as many service members that he could. “Looking forward to going out and meeting with service members that might not be able to go to the concert tomorrow,” said Gary Sinise, Lt Dan Band. “We want to let them know we care and support what they are doing here.” Along with the Lt. Dan Band, Mrs. Karen Kelley, Gold Star mother, wife of White House Chief of Staff (Ret.) Gen. John Kelley was also visited the base and spoke to navy spouses about the Gold Star Program and spoke to the audience during the concert. “We have been touring the island visiting with folks, I just wanted everyone to know that I appreciate what you do here and I’ve met a lot of great people in the short time I’ve been here,” said Gary Sinise. “I’m very impressed with everyone I’ve met it’s an important mission down here and you should all know that there is a grateful nation out there and we appreciate what you do.” Sinise started visiting troops after September 11, 2001
during handshaking tours around the world, and fter several of those hand shaking tours, he was allowed to take his band on tour with the USO. “I really appreciate his effort to come to Guantanamo,” said Capt. David Culpepper, commanding officer, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. “I know it is quite to trek to get here.” The NSGB community really appreciated the concert and had a good time. “Attending the Lt. Dan Band concert was a lot of fun,” said Tim White, concert attendee. “Spending time with friends and family enjoying a good concert with a great mixture of old and new songs. It was a great time.” The Lt. Dan Band is a cover band that when the group started they knew approximately 80 songs some of the song that were played during the concert are as follows: Uptown Funk, Devil Went Down to Georgia, Born to Run, Chicken Fried, Days Go By, and several more. “I thought the concert was great,” said Joe McCullough, concert attendee. “The band played a wide variety of music and it made everyone feel included. It was nice to have a well-known celebrity like Sinise to come down and show his support for all the folks here.” Sinise was in Guantanamo December of 2006, and he added that he hopes it doesn’t take as long to be able to come back in the future.
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NHGB Accredited by American Association of Blood Banks By NHGB Public Affairs Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay was accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), the gold star standard for facilities offering transfusion services. The AABB website states assessment includes quality and operational systems within a facility. Basis for assessment include compliance with standards, code of federal regulations and federal guidance documents. “We were evaluated on all aspects of blood bank and transfusion services which include more than 1,000 standards,” said Lt. Ashley Russell, laboratory department head, U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay.
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A few examples of standards evaluated include procedures from beginning to end relating to delivery of blood to a patient, procedures for receiving shipment of blood products and maintaining correct refrigeration temperatures. Although inspection is scheduled to occur every two years, Russell explained his team maintains a stellar standard at all times. “Our formula for success is to concentrate on providing the best possible care by always following set guidelines and regulations,” said Russell. “With this philosophy, passing inspection is a byproduct rather than the driving force.” “I am very proud the audit went well, but I wasn’t surprised,” said Capt. Paula Chamberlain, executive officer, NHGB. “Accreditation proves my confidence in this team is valid.”
NSGB’s Unique Location Challenges Facilities Managers
by Jen Badoni, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Aquatics Director The Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department to send personnel off the “island”, providing the flexibility of (MWR) is the sole recreational programs provider. While accommodating training on a locally determined schedule. residents have access to 45 square miles of beautiful beaches, A staff National Park and Recreation Association Aquatics pristine waters and rugged mountain terrain, travel into Cuba Facility Operator Instructor also allows the opportunity from the base remains prohibited. to ensure aquatics staff, the installation Public Works Established in 1903, United States Naval Station Guantanamo Department and resident government contractors receive Bay, Cuba is the military’s oldest overseas base, and is one comprehensive instruction on pool operations including water of the most remote military bases in the world. NSGB serves chemistry, mechanical systems and pool operations. as the Navy’s strategic logistics installation for routine, Programming for active duty and reservist service men and contingency, counternarcotic and migrant operations in the women, civilians and families at NSGB is both challenging Caribbean region. and fun. The remote conditions require the base to be 100 percent In the past 18 months a new swim team program for adults of self-sufficient in water and electrical production, and quality all skill levels, a multi-tiered youth swim lesson program and recreation programs. The Guantanamo Bay aquatics program a separate youth swim team open to elementary through high is run through collaborative efforts. Two swimming pools school students have been offered. are staffed, supervised and administered by Department of Having a youth swim team in a remote location is a major Defense employees. Chlorine levels and pump operations are community win and brings interesting opportunities for monitored by the base operating support (BOS) contractor. recreation programmers. Teams around the world have the Imagine a pool chlorinator breaks down, the facility is ability to race against others in locally held meets. In contrast, running low on necessary chemicals, or a pump bursts without NSGB has no “off base” teams to swim against. Flying off warning. It may take up to three months for repair parts to base or flying a team on base to compete with is a difficult arrive. due to flight availability and restrictions. NSGB negates the Logistics are complicated with standard USPS mail delivery problem by participating in virtual swim meets with other ranging from two weeks to one month. Only a small category military bases around the world. Competing installations hold of parts may be considered for delivery with air transportation. home meets and time trials on the same weekend, times are If a mechanical part is too large to ship by standard mail the shared between teams and a virtual “winner” is decided. As a item will be shipped by barge. Departing from Jacksonville, way of saying “thank you,” teams mail each other swim caps Florida, the barge also carries other cargo including personal and other souvenirs providing both bases a unique memory household goods, construction materials, and bulk materiel. while stationed there. A virtual swim meet was recently held The Caribbean crossing periodically results in an up to three against the Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany’s Stuttgart months’ delay. Stingrays. The ability to obtain the quantities of liquid chlorine needed The newest endeavor is a water polo clinic which premiered to safely run the swimming pools is another challenge. A in September. The program offers a unique sport for residents solution was found by shifting the previous chlorinating and families to participate in; plans to start a youth water system utilizing chlorine gas to a system with the ability to polo league are in progress. Another new program features generate chlorine using a salt generator. Though complex, if “canoe battleships” where teams attempt to (safely) sink their the system breaks down the facility manager has the ability to opponent by unloading buckets of water into the opposing revert to chlorine tabs to sanitize the pool. canoe. Other monthly and quarterly aquatics programs Training staff also poses a major challenge. Managers in are water volleyball leagues, full court water basketball the continental United States have the ability to send staff, tournaments, monthly dive-in movies, teen night pool parties managers and lifeguards to conferences or provide trainers and AquaFit, a weekly aerobic exercise class. on-site. Travel and other associated costs for comparable Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is a unique place for running education are typically prohibitive for Guantanamo Bay a swimming pool. A bit of outside-the-box thinking and MWR. exploring available resources provide multiple fun, relaxing A certified, on-staff Lifeguard and Water Safety Red Cross and engaging programs for military personnel, civilians and Instructor Trainer is able to train employees without having their families.
U.S. Consular Officers Visiting NSGB OCT 11-12 Building 760, Legal Assistance The U.S. Embassy to Jamaica is visiting GTMO during 11 & 12 October, and can answer all your questions on non-official passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (birth certificates), & certified true copies. What to Do: 1. Get all your documents together and in order (next 2 slides), 2. Call 4692 to schedule your appointment. The Legal Assistance Office will experience long wait times & closures 10-13 OCT while supporting Embassy operations. Please call RLSO Legal Assistance at 4692 or email RLSO LA for more info: 1. LN3 Corey Larry: corey.t.larry.mil@mail.mil 2. RLSO SE / Legal: usn.gtmo.navstagtmobaycu.mbx.nsgb-n00j-legal@mail.mil slide 1 of 3 on Embassy visit - call 4692 to schedule
Runners honor former Marines in Fence Line Race
By Sgt. Stacey Brown, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs the North East Gate, ran along the fence line that Over 200 runners and walkers participated in the separates Cuba and NSGB, and ended at Kittery North East Gate 5 Mile Fence Line Run here, Sept. Beach. Kittery Beach is the final piece of American 23, 2017. The annual event honored those Marines property before entering Cuba-proper. who’ve served along the fence line and raised funding for celebrating the Marine Corps’ upcoming One U.S. Army Trooper primarily participated for the camaraderie. birthday. “For around 119 years, Marines have been providing “Regardless of the uniform pattern, those are my security for the naval installation,” said Maj. Jordan brothers in arms and I’ll do anything to support them,” said the Trooper. Shultz, commander, Marine Corps Security Force Company Guantanamo Bay. “This run is in honor of A U.S. Navy Trooper used the event to gauge their cardio vascular endurance level. those Marines.” “I finished with an overall run time of 28:59, while Troopers and family members stretched while that was good enough for first, I missed my personal eagerly waiting to partake in the competitive fun. goal,” said the Trooper. “I aimed for five minutes Once the horn sounded, runners positioned their and forty seconds per mile. I was slightly over, but head and eyes forward, placed their arms in a 90 know what I need to work on for the next one.” degree angle, and commenced to jog the pavement. After the run, the participants enjoyed barbecued The run, hosted by MCFSC GTMO, started at hotdogs and activities at the beach.