Photo By Spc. Cody Black | Army Brig. Gen. Rafael O'Ferrall, former deputy commander of Joint Task Force...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — Army Brig. Gen. Rafael O'Ferrall, of the Puerto Rico National Guard, reflects on operations at Joint Task Force Guantanamo after serving as deputy commander for the past year.
"This has been a unique, important and relevant mission," O'Ferrall said. "Unique because of its jointness, important because it is the center of gravity for the world and relevant because we are all doing a great job and mission for our nation."
During his tour, O'Ferrall was instrumental in many key improvements in the quality of life for service members and detainees.
"I think our most important accomplishment is the way we continue to enhance and evolve, not only with the transitions and rotations of service members, but also in improving the Morale, Welfare and Recreation opportunities and resources available for our service members," O'Ferrall said. "We've also continued improvements to the detention facilities, inside and out."
O'Ferrall took the time to get to know the service members at the JTF during his tour and feels the service members contribute greatly to the success of the mission at Guantanamo Bay.
"Even though the [service members] here are young, we have a good and diverse mix of [service members] — from all services — who understand the task and take it in a professional manner and make it easier to accomplish the mission," O'Ferrall said.
This diversity is due in part to the joint environment which is truly unique to Guantanamo. According to O'Ferrall, while many "joint" task forces may have one or two people from each service, Joint Task Force Guantanamo provides an opportunity to work with members of all services and get a feel for what each service is all about.
"There is a true mix of services here — complete units from all the services — that work together to accomplish the mission," O'Ferrall said.
O'Ferrall was tasked with sharing the Joint Task Force mission with groups from around the world, including distinguished visitors, government officials, human rights organizations and various groups of community leaders. One such opportunity was the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, in which O'Ferrall escorted a group of 50 distinguished visitors from across the nation around the U.S. Southern Command area of operations. These visits are an opportunity for others to see firsthand the JTF Guantanamo mission. O'Ferrall feels it is important for the message to get out about what really happens at Guantanamo Bay.
"Whatever is done here with the detainees is what the world should see," O'Ferrall said. "We are the center of gravity on detainee procedure."
O'Ferrall realizes that not everyone can visit Guantanamo to get a firsthand experience of what conditions are really like.
"Even if people can't get here to visit Guantanamo, they should praise the service members for keeping us safe and keeping these people out of combat," O'Ferrall said.
During his tour, O'Ferrall has learned a few things that he will take with him in his career. He will go back to Puerto Rico and continue to serve as the assistant adjutant general for the Puerto Rico National Guard.
"I've learned how to let things go and let leaders do their jobs. We really have professionals here, from the O-6s down to the E-5s," O'Ferrall said.
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.07.2009 12:56 |
| Story ID: | 42407 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 398 |
| Downloads: | 317 |
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