Guard Force patrols the CLO

GUANTANAMO BAY , CUBA

08.26.2016

Story by Sgt. Sarah Kirby 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA (AUGUST 26, 2016) --- “This isn’t an organic unit that comes from the same base; we all come from about 9 different states,” said Army Cpt. Shea Johnson, the internal security guard force commander for the Commission Liaison Office. “That’s really how we’re all are here at Joint Task Force Guantanamo; service members from all five service branches across the nation, all here to accomplish one mission.”
“The MUTSS cover the internal security guard force running in depth physical security for the Expeditionary Legal Complex, Area of Operation Patriot and Camp Justice,” said Johnson. “We maintain the integrity of the site’s security, which includes making sure all sniper netting surrounding the perimeter is intact and all gates are secured.”
Several high profile visitors have visited the CLO, not to include the five men currently on trial for masterminding the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but also Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command.
“Our work really kicks off during the military commissions, which is held inside AO Patriot,” said Staff Sgt. Steve Staton, sergeant of the guard. “During this time we work with Navy personnel, federal prosecutors and civilians; everyone contributes in their own way and if we didn’t work with others outside of our service branch then we couldn’t complete the mission.”
The Uniform Code of Military Justice abides to federal law and differs greatly from the civilian justice system, and covers national security threats to minor military charges according to a military tribunal general overview.
“Each branch here adds a lot of value to the JTF GTMO mission,” said a Joint Task Force Trooper with the internal security guard force. “The BEEF (Base Engineer Emergency Force) supports the repairs and maintenance of the structural parts of the ELC, the Coast Guard secures the bay and surrounding waters and then we cover the internal security portion. We all have a job and they are all equally important.”
JTF GTMO’s primary mission is to conduct safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission, according to the mission statement overview.
“We are the ones who chose to do this and chose to be involved in this mission,” said Johnson. “I try to remind my guys that this is a unique operation; we are working with different government agencies and other networks. GTMO is on a large scale and our guys are right at the center. The whole world has its eyes on us; this is much bigger than them and the effects of their safe and humane efforts sends a message globally proving that our nation is better than the ones we are guarding here. That transparency that we emulate proves that we are the good guys in this.”

• Date Taken: 08.26.2016
• Date Posted: 09.14.2016 09:01
• Story ID: 208727
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY , CU