NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba- U.S. Service members from all branches rapidly deployed from all corners of the United States to support interagency partner’s illegal alien holding operations, as a part of Joint Task Force Southern Guard (JTFSG), here in early February.
These warriors, in a collage of camouflage, built tents, fences and barriers. Each service branch accomplished specific tasks that contributed to a shared goal of establishing the foundation of JTFSG, which would allow the Department of Homeland Security to begin moving thousands of illegal immigrants.
This machine needs water, sleep and fuel to keep going. The Leeward Galley was only staffed to feed around 200 people a day. One Marine looked at the problem and got after how to feed Joint Task Force Southern Guard.
“Right now, I am in charge of the logistics, figuring out how to get the supplies we need,” said U.S Marine Staff Sgt. Tyler Faaborg, the field mess chief, with Task Force Belleau Wood. “Many of the troops working security or on the flightline can’t always make chow time, so I make sure they get fed.”
Marines in food services work to prepare meals for other service members in garrison and the field. Mess Chiefs, such as Faaborg, often coordinates how much food is needed for those who are working during operations.
“Since it’s such a secure place, staffing a team can be challenging,” said Faaborg. “We must find who can work here, the people who want to work here, then figure out how to do the background checks. It can get very complicated.
The Marine field mess chief organized a team, consisting of Marines and the galley’s sailors and contractors, to be able to feed the hundreds JTF Personnel, partners and medium-low threat illegal aliens. They were soon bolstered when the U.S. Army field mess staff arrived.
“It’s hard work but we all have an end goal, I definitely think the chow hall improves morale here,” said U.S. Marine Corp Lance Cpl. Seth Bennet, and logistics specialist with Task Force Belleau Wood, who is working to support the Leeward galley staff.
The team at the Leeward galley is tasked with ensuring readily available, nutritious meals are provided three times a day.
“I’ve been in almost 12 years, and this is one of the best chow halls I have been to, it’s definitely a morale boost for sure,” said U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Will Owens, the logistics chief for Task Force Belleau Wood, comprised of 6th Marine Regiment Headquarters, two companies reinforced from 1st Battalion, 6th Marines and enablers from 2d Marine Division and 2d Marine Logistics Group, to fully support Joint Task Force Southern Guard in its mission to assist the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in removing illegal aliens from the continental U.S..
The Leeward Galley food services team has navigated logistical, financial and manpower constraints to ensure that Joint Task Force Southern Guard service members and interagency partners can continue to perform.
“During downtime we sit down as a group and ‘break bread’, said Faaborg. “It’s a time for us to meet and focus on how we can make the experience better for the people we serve.”
| Date Taken: |
02.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: |
02.26.2025 14:16 |
| Story ID: |
491492 |
| Location: |
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: |
157 |
| Downloads: |
1 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, U.S. Marines keep Joint Task Force Southern Guard fed, by LCpl Brian Michalski, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
