Photo By Spc. Nadine White | Marine Corps Sgt. Derrick Wyatt, with the Marine Corps Security Forces Company, flexes...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - In the late 1930s, the U.S. Army was desperate for an all-terrain capable vehicle to replace the motorcycle/ sidecar combination vehicle used during World War I. In 1940, they received a prototype of a light weight, four-wheel drive, reconnaissance and scout vehicle that was capable of withstanding the rough and tough environment of a battlefield. This vehicle ultimately evolved into the Jeep. War correspondent Ernie Pyle characterized the jeep vehicle as, “faithful as a dog, as strong as a mule and agile as a goat.”
There are very few activities that epitomize the adventurous, boundless desire most Americans have for challenging limits and exploring, quite like going off the familiar, paved roads and taking advantage of a Jeep’s four-wheel drive abilities on the most rugged terrain.
Given Jeep’s predominant military history, it was an exciting and pleasant surprise to Jeep owners and fanatics at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay when the MWR’s outdoor recreation department hosted its first ever Off-Road GTMO event on Sunday.
The rumbling engines of twelve pre-inspected, four-wheel drive capable vehicles – all of which were various models of Jeep, except for a lone Toyota FJ Cruiser– rallied at the Downtown Lyceum Sunday morning to receive a safety brief and route maps for the day.
MWR’s outdoor recreation director, Tim Baugh, organized the inaugural off-road event after the idea was suggested in a customer feed-back survey.
“We just ran with it,” said Baugh. “We had to get approval from base safety, the Emergency Management Group and the Weapons Department. With the permission from the base commander, Capt. Nettleton, and help from the MA’s [master-at-arms], we were able to have access to the trails we used.”
The two off-road trails gave drivers and passengers unique and typically off-limit views. The first trail began on a restricted, paved road off Sherman Ave. A couple gorged, jagged miles later, it ended at the top of Stephen Crane Hill, where participants were invited to enjoy the high sights of the base’s entirety.
Following lunch, provided by the MWR at Phillips Dive Park, the second trail led the Jeep fleet past the Cuzco Well Cemetery, down a rocky, uneven, washed-out road. It then hurdled up and down a moderately steep hill to an ocean-side cliff overlooking the exclusive Cuzco Beach.
One of the more experienced drivers braving the rocky slopes was Jeep enthusiast Navy Capt. Daryl Daniels, the U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay commanding officer and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Joint Medical Group commander. Although a veteran in off-road adventures, he was ecstatic to be apart of the first of its kind here.
“This was one of the best days I’ve had here in Guantanamo Bay,” said Daniels. “Just getting out, seeing places we haven’t been able to see before and take the Jeeps out and show each other what capabilities they have, it was awesome.”
The MWR’s goals for this event were for participants to be safe, as well as have fun, in hopes that a successful ride would lead to more expeditions in the future.
“We were trying to prove to everyone that we can do things like this safely and keep doing them,” said Baugh. “Look for more events in the future; we’re going to try to expand the program. I know I look forward to doing some more advanced trails.”
| Date Taken: | 08.31.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2014 16:59 |
| Story ID: | 141481 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY , CU |
| Web Views: | 112 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Off the grid: MWR hosts first trail adventure for off-road enthusiasts, by SPC Nadine White, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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