PR National Guard 480th MP Company Transfers Authority to RI National Guard 115th at JTF Guantanamo

Photo By Master Sgt. Blair Heusdens | Soldiers from the 480th Military Police Company of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard stand in formation during a transfer of authority ceremony at Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Nov. 12, 2009. The 115th Military Police Company of the Rhode Island Army National Guard will take over for the 480th after a year-long deployment to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

11.12.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Blair Heusdens 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Soldiers from the 480th Military Police Company of the Puerto Rico National Guard handed over responsibility for their external security mission at Joint Task Force Guantanamo to the 115th Military Police Company of the Rhode Island National Guard during a ceremony, Nov. 12, 2009.

During their tour which was just short of one year, the 480th conducted security operations in order to protect friendly forces and detainees from surveillance, sabotage and attack. The external security mission at the JTF provides the first line of defense for the safety and security of both troopers and detainees by providing entry control access, roving patrols and observation from both guard towers and observation posts throughout the task force area of operations.

Army Lt. Col. Alex Conyers, commander of the 525th Military Police Battalion which the 480th reports to at JTF Guantanamo, praised the efforts of the Soldiers of the 480th.

"A little over a year ago, you assembled from all over Puerto Rico from 17 different units to train and serve as one unit," said Conyers. "You have successfully completed a challenging mission in a dynamic environment."

Army Capt. Edwin Cruz, the commander of the 480th , spoke of the training required for the unit to deploy and the continuous efforts of the troopers to maintain a high level of proficiency at their jobs.

"I want to congratulate the Soldiers from 480th for a job well done, as individuals and as a unit," said Cruz. "We made several accomplishments throughout this year and [these accomplishments] were made possible by Soldiers' commitment and dedication to our mission."

During the ceremony, Cruz and Army 1st Sgt. Davis Dumeng cased the unit guidon, signifying the successful completion and release from the JTF external security mission. The 115th MP Company Commander, Army Capt. Nicholas Pacheco and Army 1st Sgt. Thomas Burdick unfurled their unit guidon, signifying assumption and responsibility for JTF mission.

"We have provided you with the tools necessary to continue the mission and to be successful and we did it with professionalism and to the best of our abilities," Cruz said as he addressed the incoming unit.

The 115th will continue the mission at Joint Task Force Guantanamo at a time when plans are underway to close the facility. The external security mission will remain a critical part of JTF operations until all of the detainees are released or transferred.

"You have a tough job ahead of you, but I have no doubts that you will excel," said Conyers. "The challenges will increase, but just as in 1638 when the training band of Rhode Island's first colonial defense force was formed in Portsmouth as a militia, subject to call and expected to perform certain military duties in the protection of the people; you too, in 2009 and 2010 will rise to the occasion."

For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

• Date Taken: 11.12.2009
• Date Posted: 11.27.2009 19:30
• Story ID: 42082
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU