New Troopers, same mission

U.S. NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

10.01.2010

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shane Arrington 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – The Puerto Rico Army National Guard’s B Company 1/296th Infantry Regiment relieved the Rhode Island Army National Guard’s 115th Military Police Battalion of its responsibility of providing external security to Joint Task Force Guantanamo during a transfer of authority ceremony, Sept. 22.

Capt. Nicholas Pacheco, 115th MP Battalion commander, said he is proud of the job his Soldiers have done this past year.

“The accomplishments of the 115th are many, too long to list,” Pacheco said. “We believe that we have raised the bar for our mission and completed a number of different tasks to improve our readiness.”

Providing external security to JTF Guantanamo is a complex mission. The soldiers of the B 1/296th will find themselves doing everything from checking identification badges at the gates to providing security and manning specialized security forces within the detention facilities.

Capt. Roberto Dekony, B 1/296th commander, said he is proud to take on the mission the 115th has so diligently carried out the past year. Dekony, like Pacheco when he and his soldiers began carrying out their mission in GTMO, strives to find better ways to carry out the mission.

“We hope to accomplish new standards and raise the bar,” Dekony said. “I have no doubt that my soldiers will accomplish that mission. We will keep supporting the Overseas Contingency Operations here, and enforce the SOPs [Standard Operating Procedures] and regulations at JTF Guantanamo.”

Until the last detainee is released or transferred, providing external security is critical to ensuring the safety of everyone within the gates of JTF Guantanamo. Dekony said he looks forward to providing this safety for the next year.

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

• Date Taken: 10.01.2010
• Date Posted: 10.06.2010 09:47
• Story ID: 57593
• Location: U.S. NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU