Fair winds, following seas

Photo By Spc. Cody Black | Marine Corps Maj. Jerry Willingham, commander of the Marine Corps Security Forces Company, presents Navy Capt. Peter Husta, outgoing Joint Task Force Guantanamo chief of staff, with a "live minefield" plaque prior to Husta's departure from U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, April 23. Navy Capt. Paul O'Connor replaces Husta as the new chief of staff for JTF Guantanamo. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, 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.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

05.01.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Emily McCamy 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — Outgoing Joint Task Force Guantanamo chief of staff, Navy Capt. Peter Husta, departed U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, April 24, after three years of dedicated service.

During Husta's tour, he influenced and supported many changes that took place at the JTF.

"I think the force has evolved substantially over the last three years," Husta said. "The biggest single accomplishment of the task force has been the improvement in conditions of detention and the second would be the improvements we've built, provided, or bought to support both JTF and naval station troopers."

Husta's efforts supported troopers by addressing issues important to their morale.

"I think the improvements in trooper well-being [were very significant]," Husta said. "From housing renovations, to additional liberty centers to additional access to the Internet at all levels — I think those kinds of things have been the most instrumental [changes]."

Working in a joint environment left an impression with Husta that will remain with him for years.

"I was able to work in a joint environment that had pieces of politics, pieces of trooper care, and pieces of detention management; all the different [experiences] and [working through] inter-agency aspects have been extraordinary."

The last three years have kept Husta busy, yet the position and the experience have left him with an appreciation for the nature of joint operations and specifically the JTF and its members.

"The operational tempo has been the biggest challenge," Husta said. "For the last three-and-a-half years, I've worked seven days a week, 365 days a year.

"A lot of folks don't understand the nature of the business that we're in here," Husta said. "I think the performance across the board, of the 6,700 men and women who have been through here during my tenure [can be summed up in] one word — marvelous."

Husta will soon go on to his next duty station as the Navy's 4th Fleet liaison officer at U.S. Southern Command in Florida, but leaves the JTF troopers with some advice.

"Drive on, stay on mission," Husta said. "We've done a marvelous job over the course of the years and have done it the right way, for all the right reasons. Follow this until the end."

• Date Taken: 05.01.2009
• Date Posted: 05.04.2009 10:46
• Story ID: 33164
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU