Global mission; local focus

Photo By Emily McCamy | Coast Guard Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, U.S. Coast Guard deputy commandant for operations, is briefed on the additions to the migrant operations facilities while atop unexploded ordnance hill, Jan. 9. Brice-O'Hara toured U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay's migrant operations facilities and visited with Joint Task Force Guantanamo Coast Guardsmen. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detained enemy combatants, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the Global War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for, and on order responds to, Caribbean mass migration operations.  

01.16.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Emily McCamy 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

By Emily Russell
Joint Task Force Guantanamo

Coast Guard Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, deputy commandant of operations, visited U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to gain an overview of migrant operations and visit with Coast Guardsmen from Coast Guard Reserve Port Security Unit 305.

Brice-O'Hara oversees policy, resources and international programs for the Coast Guard. She works at a strategic level, spending most of her day with other components of the Department of Homeland Security as well as the departments of State and Defense.

"It's a very external focus understanding what the national policies demand in terms of what the Coast Guard brings to the table," Brice-O'Hara said, "whether it's our unique law enforcement authorities, competencies of our people, capabilities of our equipment or the partnerships we're able to pull together."

Brice-O'Hara's trip began in the Coast Guard's seventh district with an overview of migrant operations and counter-drug operations in Florida, Guantanamo Bay, Ecuador, El Salvador, Columbia and Panama. She met with mission counterparts to gather information to help refine policies and resources to support their missions.

Brice-O'Hara addressed members of PSU 305, Joint Task Force Guantanamo's maritime security element, speaking about the Coast Guard's mission globally and expressing her concerns that the Coast Guard has the right tools, policies and resources to enable them to do their job well.

"The Coast Guard's responsibility stretches across the globe, whether improving port security in Um Quasar, doing drug interdiction in the Caribbean or supporting missions in the arctic," Brice-O'Hara said. "Are there any gaps or anything we need to be thinking about as we recapitalize resources?"

Brice-O'Hara turned her focus to PSU 305 and their mission here.

"We bring skill sets and competencies on the water as well as security proficiency that has been used on land," she said. "We're part of the team and prepared to support the JTF commander in any regard in which our competencies can be put to use."

"Your professionalism, pride and attention to detail clearly shows me that PSU 305 is a unit that cares," Brice-O'Hara continued. "You are making a difference here. But let me tell you, you're serving the needs of the nation – you are an integral part of the JTF."

After addressing the unit, PSU 305 Cmdr. Steven H. Pope called forward nine unit members to receive their promotions. Thomas Force, Timothy Hannan, Jason Hooker and David Pantschyschak were each promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class. Patrick Higgins, Michael Maust, Clinton Paul and Edward Robinson were each promoted to Petty Officer 1st Class and Micah DeYoung was promoted to Lt. junior grade. Pope and Brice-O'Hara pinned each member with their new rank during the ceremony.

"You've stepped forward. You've done your jobs and have made yourself known as competent authorities who are integrated into the team as one," Brice O'Hara said, addressing the entire unit. "I thank you for showing that the Coast Guard is a military organization that can serve the needs not only when it comes to Coast Guard missions but can fold in effectively with our joint team."

• Date Taken: 01.16.2009
• Date Posted: 01.19.2009 10:04
• Story ID: 29018