By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Cheryl Dilgard
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – The New Mexico Army National Guard's 111th Combat Support Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company replaced the Puerto Rico Army National Guard's 92nd Separate Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Feb. 4, in a transfer of authority ceremony.
For the last year, the Puerto Rico Army National Guard supported operations at Joint Task Force Guantanamo where some 275 detainees are still held.
After a long year of hard work and numerous accomplishments the Puerto Rico Army National Guard finds their time in Guantanamo coming to an end. The ceremony was the official close.
The ceremony included JTF Commander Rear Adm. Mark Buzby as a guest speaker, who spoke highly of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard. He commented that they would be the benchmark for how the job was to be done.
The arrival of the New Mexico Army National Guard was a welcome sight to the Puerto Ricans who are anxious to get back home to family, friends, and civilian employers.
For the New Mexico National Guard, it is their second deployment to Cuba. Their first deployment was in 1898, with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders and the charge of San Juan Hill.
Over a century later, history repeats itself and finds them back in Cuba albeit for a completely different reason.
According to Army 1st Sgt. Alfred Gomez, a 28-year veteran from Tucson, Ariz., their objective is to "support all detainee operations and make operations successful."
The 111th is excited about their mission, and anxious to tackle the challenges that await them. Gomez was enthusiastic when speaking about the future of his unit and looking forward to a "good, productive and safe year." We want to "look back on this year as a memorable and successful part of our careers."
In summing up their mission, Operations Army Sgt. Maj. Jaime Perez, from Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, said it has been a "great experience. We had no clue what a joint task force was when we arrived, but were able to adapt and accomplish out mission. According to Rear Adm. Buzby we did a great job."
As the members of the New Mexico Army National Guard are just beginning to become familiar with their mission and the responsibility it entails, Army Sgt. Maj. Perez had a few words of advice to all them: "Stay focused on the mission. To the leaders: take care of your troopers, and to the officers: take care of your enlisted personnel."
| Date Taken: |
02.14.2008 |
| Date Posted: |
02.14.2008 08:47 |
| Story ID: |
16341 |
| Location: |
|
| Web Views: |
374 |
| Downloads: |
354 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, New Mexico Guard Assumes Authority of JTF Headquarters Company, by PO2 Cheryl Dilgard, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Subscribe
