Photo By Staff Sgt. Aubree Owens | U.S. Army Capt. Weston Hayes, Joint Task Force Southern Guard behavioral health...... read more read more
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Joint Task Force Southern Guard works around the clock supporting Department of Homeland Security-led migrant operations. As the mission evolves, leadership emphasizes the need to maintain the holistic health of the team.
“Things are changing at an exponential rate out here — but we still need to maintain our overall fitness in every way,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. David H. Ickles, JTF-SG commander.
Four months into the mission, JTF-SG is shifting from rapid stand-up to building sustainable operations.
“Maintaining the holistic health of the team is critical,” said Ickles. “We have to take care of ourselves physically, mentally, spiritually and socially to keep getting after the mission.”
Behavioral health support plays a vital role. U.S. Army Capt. Weston Hayes is the sole behavioral health provider for more than 500 joint service members, helping them manage the stresses of deployment and staying resilient.
“Deployments often place unique stressors on service members—being away from loved ones, working long hours, and operating in unfamiliar environments,” said Hayes. “Behavioral health is essential because it gives individuals a safe space to address those challenges before they escalate.”
Within the base’s two main living areas, service members assigned as “mayor cells,” who are responsible for maintaining those spaces, have recently established United Service Organization rooms. These rooms provide amenities where personnel can relax and recharge during downtime or between missions.
In addition to these facilities, chaplain assets are available 24/7, providing spiritual support and counseling to those who need it.
“We’re here for warrior care,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dustin Kennedy, JTF-SG Chapel religious affairs noncommissioned officer in charge. “We provide or arrange spiritual accommodations for everyone supporting Operation Southern Guard. We also offer one-hundred percent confidentiality in counseling and advise leadership on morale and ethical decisions.”
Support services are vital to JTF-SG’s mission. Keeping the force healthy is key to maintaining readiness and ensuring mission success.
“Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness in a deployed environment,” said Hayes. “Taking care of your mind ensures you’re ready to take care of the mission and each other.”
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2025 09:54 |
| Story ID: | 501697 |
| Location: | NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, How JTF-SG keeps service members healthy, resilient, by SSgt Aubree Owens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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