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    New deputy commander takes the JTF reins

    GUANTANAMO BAY , CUBA

    11.25.2014

    Story by Sgt. Reba Benally 

    Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

    GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Air Force Brig. Gen. Ronald E. Paul replaced Army Brig. Gen. Marion Garcia as the new Joint Task Force Guantanamo deputy commander Nov. 19.

    Since Paul’s arrival, he has already noticed the JTF’s supportive environment.

    “In the time that I’ve been here, I have been very impressed with the positive attitudes of everyone I encountered. I am really looking forward to the daily challenges of JTF GTMO,” Paul said.

    Alongside Navy Rear Adm. Kyle J. Cozad, JTF commander and Marine Sgt. Maj. Juan M. Hidalgo Jr., JTF senior enlisted leader, Paul will carry out the commander’s intent and looks forward to implementing Cozad’s outstanding direction and vision for the JTF.

    “My command philosophy is simple; set expectations, take care of the people and accomplish the mission. Setting expectations lays the groundwork for who, what, where, when, why and how we accomplish the mission. It is very important for leaders to start off with expectations in order to steer the unit in the right direction,” Paul said.

    Paul’s last duty assignment was the commander of the 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield, Illinois, which is also Paul’s hometown.

    “The wing has a diverse mission, which includes an Air Operations Group, Centralized Engine Repair Facility, Mission Support Group, Medical Group, and Engineering and Installation Squadron,” Paul said. “The wing stays very busy supporting both active duty Air Force and Air National Guard missions.”

    Paul graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs. He also has a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

    Throughout Paul’s career, he has been a director of logistics for First Air Force, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida; Squadron Maintenance Office with the 19th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; USAF logistics career broadening officer at Ogden Air Logistics Center, Utah; deputy chief, Technical Repair Division at Ogden Air Logistics Center; sortie generation flight commander for the 493rd Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.

    His deployments include supporting wartime and contingency operations to Europe and Southwest Asia. He was also the Senior USAFmilitary officer for the F-16 Aircraft Maintenance Training Team in Poland.

    Paul’s experience and philosophy shows his dedication as the new deputy commander for the JTF.

    “Taking care of the people is critical. Leaders are charged with ensuring all members are properly trained and equipped to do their jobs. If we are not trained and equipped, it is difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish the mission,” Paul said. “We need to set all members up for success by giving them the proper tools to succeed.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.25.2014
    Date Posted: 11.25.2014 16:45
    Story ID: 148837
    Location: GUANTANAMO BAY , CU
    Hometown: SPRINGFIELD, IL, US

    Web Views: 129
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN