Photo By Maria Blanchard | Navy Rear Adm. Tom Copeman, commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, officiates over...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Soldiers and Airmen from the U.S. Virgin Islands National Guard's 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion out of St. Thomas replaced the Soldiers from the 191st Regional Support Group of the Puerto Rico National Guard at Joint Task Force Guantanamo during a transfer of authority ceremony, Nov. 24, 2009.
With the new service members comes a new senior leader for Joint Task Force Guantanamo. Army Brig. Gen. Timothy Lake from the VING will replace Army Brig. Gen. Rafael O'Ferrall from the PRNG as the deputy commander of the JTF. Lake spent his early days in GTMO getting to know the JTF troopers and their mission.
"The troopers here are very professional and understand the criticality of the mission and the national security implications of what we do here not only for the United States but internationally," Lake said. Of his Soldiers from the Virgin Islands, Lake said, "They are true Americans and true professionals who will be successful in their mission."
The National Guard Soldiers will make up the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of Joint Task Force Guantanamo and will spend their year-long tour acting as the support element to the JTF, with a variety of missions including housing, trooper safety, logistics and keeping track of and taking care of Soldiers.
The 786th commander, Army Capt. Hector-Murphy, visited GTMO prior to the unit's deployment to get an understanding of her upcoming mission and responsibilities.
"[The site survey visit] was pretty intense. I didn't realize the big impact of responsibility that is placed on the HHC shoulders," Hector-Murphy said.
In addition to the extensive training the Virgin Islands Soldiers received prior to deployment, the two units spent the past two weeks learning from each other during what is called, "right-seat, left-seat training," where the new unit started out observing the experienced Soldiers at their jobs, eventually switching places and taking over their new jobs.
"The Puerto Rico National Guard has been very professional and went above and beyond to make sure we've been taken care of," Hector-Murphy said.
During their deployment, Soldiers from the Puerto Rico National Guard, along with other Hispanics at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, brought their unique culture and heritage to the Guantanamo community through dancing, gatherings and music from "Puerto Rican Fever," a steel drum band comprised of members of the Puerto Rico National Guard.
"Puerto Rico is very warm and hospitable and we've tried to bring that here to GTMO," said O'Ferrall. "We do the missions at the highest standards and then we try to share our culture. We fight for our nation like any other service member and these Soldiers can go home satisfied."
The deployment provided an opportunity for Soldiers at all levels to gain experience and confidence in their jobs and serve their country at an important point in history.
The deployment provided an opportunity for Soldiers at all levels to gain experience and confidence in their jobs and serve their country at an important point in history.
"This deployment has helped me to see where the younger troopers are at and what they expect from the leadership," said Army Capt. Manuel Rodriguez, the commander of the 191st. "I also try to let them know what I expect from them and help them to see the big picture."
For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil
| Date Taken: | 11.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.27.2009 18:58 |
| Story ID: | 42080 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 301 |
| Downloads: | 166 |
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