Photo By Sgt. Emily Greene | Navy Seaman Jonathan Silva, with Joint Task Force Guantanamo's Joint Medical Group,...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — New faces are popping up at the detainee hospital and the joint troop clinic at Guantanamo Bay. A new changeover at Joint Medical Group has begun.
The first wave of Kilo Detachment arrived at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay this month. They will be replacing Juliet Detachment in the ongoing mission to provide safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees.
Navy Capt. Bruce Meneley, Joint Task Force Guantanamo's medical group commander, traveled to meet Juliet Detachment while they were training at Fort Lewis, Wash. prior to arriving at Guantanamo.
"The detachment is comprised of Sailors from all across the Navy. They first come together at Fort Lewis and that is where they begin to form a cohesive group. By the time they get here they are a team," Meneley said.
While there is still another wave of Kilo Detachment scheduled to arrive at the end of the month, the first wave is already at work, preparing to relieve Juliet of their duties when they begin to leave next month.
"The left seat, right seat ride is an important part of our turnover," said Meneley. "This group is learning to assume a large amount of duties in a short amount of time. We want to set them up for success."
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Keeling, with the Joint Stress Mitigation and Restoration Team, is training his replacement in the duties he has fulfilled during his six months here at Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
"I feel confident that the new group will take charge of the responsibilities here and do a good job," said Keeling.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Sanidad is learning the ropes from pharmacy technician Seaman Jonathan Silva, a hospitalman with Juliet Detachment, at the detainee hospital.
"So far everything is going really well," said Sanidad. "There are some specifics we have to learn for this location, but overall it is business as usual."
Silva is pleased with the turnover process so far.
"I am lucky, I have a great motivator replacing me," Sanidad said. "The key to this job is to be prepared. We cater to every need."
Navy Chief Petty Officer Helen Zaldana is with Kilo Detachment and will be the new JMG supply chief.
"As a naval chief I have learned to adapt and overcome," Zaldana said. "This job is no different."
Chief Petty Officer Engle Montemayor, Juliet Detachment supply chief, said the key for this turnover is to make sure the newcomers are taught the particular needs of the JTF mission.
"Kilo Detachment Sailors are all professionals and know how to do their jobs," said Montemayor. "What we are doing now is teaching them what they need to know for this location and mission."
At the Joint Medical Clinic, Seaman Joseph McGeoy, a hospitalman with Kilo Detachment, is learning how the pharmacy operates. He joined the Navy to go somewhere "warm and sunny," getting his wish with this assignment.
"I am learning a lot so far," McGeoy said. "This job is allowing me to step outside of my comfort zone and do a broad spectrum of things that are new for me."
"Our goal is to make this a seamless transition," said Meneley. "We want it to be as smooth as when Juliet Detachment replaced Foxtrot Detachment."
As Juliet Detachment prepares to depart they are reflective on their time with the JTF.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Fernando Guzman, the detainee hospital facilities chief, said he has enjoyed his time at Guantanamo Bay.
"I almost retired last year, but I am glad that I decided to stay in the Navy long enough to do this one last deployment," said Guzman. "The last six months, like any other deployment, have been good and bad, but you remember the good and learn from the bad. Kilo detachment is very motivated and I am very convinced that they will do great."
Meneley said while he is sad to see Juliet Detachment leave, he is confident their replacements will live up to the high standard that has been set.
"The Kilo wave looks like a promising group and I know they will continue with the tradition of quality care for both detainees and Troopers," said Meneley.
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2009 14:40 |
| Story ID: | 32923 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 286 |
| Downloads: | 209 |
This work, Kilo replaces Juliet at Joint Medical Group, by SGT Emily Greene, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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