By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cheryl Dilgard
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – From ordering or shipping equipment for your unit to just taking leave, the strategic mobility department plays a vital role in the Joint Task Force mission at Guantanamo Bay. Their official mission is the validation and movement of personnel, visitors and cargo. So when you take leave for any reason, invite a family member to visit or ship cargo these are the people who will help you get it done.
The biggest challenge for the strategic mobility department is moving people and items in a timely manner. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Joseph Crider, deployed from Camp Lejeune, N.C., deals with all cargo shipped to or from the island. Crider's chief hurdle is getting people to follow instructions and pay attention to details. Crider explained that most of the complications come when people try to order from vendors in the States, not realizing they need a tracking number from his office. It is those same people who then get upset when no one can find their order.
"They have to get a tracking number from me, otherwise when they order things from DHL or FEDEX it will get to Norfolk and then sit in the frustrated cargo area because the folks in Norfolk don't know where it goes," explained Crider. "That makes items very hard to track."
Crider's office partners, Air Force Capt. Craig Dutton (Ramstein Air Base, Germany), Air Force Staff Sgt. Michelle Wickell (Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.), and Air Force Tech Sgt. Jason Short (Hickham Air Force Base, Hawaii), handle all personnel movement issues. Dutton and Wickell process and verify all JTF personnel movements and Short processes leave transportation.
"One of our greatest accomplishments since I have been here is getting over 100 Troopers off island within 24-48 hours for emergency leave or medical evacuation within the last four months," Dutton said.
Like many other department operations here, planning will only take this group so far; they have to be flexible and resourceful. They often run into problems and challenges that are beyond their immediate control.
For instance, flight patterns don't always meet trooper' needs. If troopers have to be medically evacuated or need to take emergency leave on a Thursday, for example, they face a problem: there are no rotator flights until Saturday. It is times like these when the strategic mobility department kicks into high gear to meet the needs of the trooper.
"Airlifts are beyond our control," said Dutton. "Troopers need to be patient, and often we have delays that are out of our control. Recently we had a lift that was 60 hours behind schedule due to mechanical problems. Mechanical problems, people and weather all play a part. If there isn't a rotator leaving we will try to put personnel on an FBI flight, or a C-12 if we have to. We get resourceful to try and meet the needs of the troopers,"
This customer service orientation is crucial to their mission. They know that they are counted on to get people on and off the island, and that their performance can directly impact the morale of JTF troopers.
"Many times people will call trying to get off the island for emergency leave and they are distraught, or just got off of a 12-hour shift and are tired and not thinking clearly. We have to bear with them and be patient," said Dutton.
The number of people they deal with on a daily basis can be a trial, especially considering each person's specific needs and requirements. The continuous dealing with personnel can be emotionally draining and tiring.
"The biggest challenge for me is the sheer volume of people I deal with on a daily basis," said Short.
Dutton emphasized the importance of Troopers having proper documentation and getting it to the right places so that they can depart and return, regardless of reason, without problems.
"Any time you take leave, whether for recreation or emergency, make sure you have the right paperwork with you," said Dutton.