Issue 7.Indd
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
15 Minutes of Fame, pg. 11 Volume 6, Issue 17 www.jtfgtmo.southcom. www.jtfgtmo.southcom. mil mil Friday, Friday, May April 20, 8, 2005 2005 15 Minutes of Fame, pg. 1111 SOUTHCOM Commander visits GTMO By Spc. Seth Myers JTF-GTMO Public Affairs Office Distinguished visitors, Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, the com- mander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and Army Brig. Gen. David B. Lacquement, J2, SOUTHCOM, visited Gauntanamo Bay this week. The pair met with JTF-GTMO Commander, Brig. Gen. Jay Hood, Steve Rodriguez, Director, Joint Intelligence group, and other members of the JTF senior staff and intelligence community, to discuss the intelligence mission here and to visit the newly com- pleted JTF Intelligence and Operations Facility. Lacquement oversees the intelligence mission of SOUTH- COM, of which, JTF-GTMO is a major contributor. According to an unclassifi ed fact sheet of information gathered here and published by the Offi ce of the Secretary of Defense, JTF- GTMO has contributed more intelligence from detainees about Photo by Spc. Seth Myers the al-Qaida network than any other element in the Department Army Gen. Bantz “John” Craddock, the com- of Defense. mander of U.S. Southern Command is greet- “[GTMO] has helped in a myriad of ways that most people will ed by Steve Rodriguez, Director Intelligence never fully appreciate. [GTMO] has been a major contributor to Group, as he arrives at the new Intelligence and the complexities of the diffi cult threats that we face,” said Lacque- Operations Facility. ment. The fact sheet states that intelligence gathered here helps the camps. Because of the information gathered here, the country now military to understand more about the terrorist organizations they has a better idea of what kind of people are more likely to be- are dealing with and where the terrorists are located. Detainees pro- come participants, recruiters, and leaders for the Islamic extrem- vide information about leadership structures, recruiting practices, ist movements. The detainees have also provided information that funding mechanisms, relationships, and the cooperation between has led to the location of training compounds, safe houses, terrain al-Qaida terrorist groups, training programs, plans for attacking features, travel patterns and routes used for smuggling people and the United States and other countries, and individuals connected to equipment. al-Qaida’s pursuit of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. “From the very beginning of our mission, we set the standards We have learned a lot about the training programs used to teach for detention and intelligence operations; in fact our standard op- recruits how to make improvised explosive devices. These courses erating procedure is the model and the blue print for like missions are very structured. Some are only a few days long, but others are in Iraq and Afghanistan…It took great Troopers and government/ a few weeks. In these longer courses, they learn in-depth talents contract civilians to set the foundation for what we do today. The such as electronic circuitry, according to the Defense Department trend continues, and as future GTMO rotations arrive, we get bet- fact sheet. ter and better at what we do. We are one team with an important The fact sheet also details how detainees have talked about mission, and I am very proud of everyone for what they do on a their recruitment into al-Qaida, and how they were encouraged to daily basis,” said JTF Command Sgt. Maj. Angel Febles. participate in the jihad against the United States. Some of the de- With the war on terror still going, GTMO’s contribution to in- tainees were themselves recruiters, it states, and they have shared telligence is still key, and will remain critical for as long as the information about recruiting interested youths to go to training Global War on Terror continues. PAGE 2 | TROOPER-TO-TROOPER FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2005 | THE WIRE JTF-GTMO Command Do something for yourself Commander: Brig. Gen. Jay W. Hood Joint Task Force CSM: Command Sgt. Maj. Angel Febles Public Affairs Officer: Col. Brad K. Blackner 326th MPAD Commander: Capt. Jeffrey Weir: 3713 Command Information Officer: Lt. Angela King-Sweigart: 3651 326th MPAD First Sergeant: Sgt. 1st Class David Zerbe: 3649 Circulation: 1,100 The Wire NCOIC/Editor: Photo by Army Sgt. Todd Lamonica Sgt. 1st Class Sheila Tunney: 3594 By Army Col. Jane Anderholt Managing Editor: JTF-GTMO Commissons OIC beach and the beautiful ocean. An after- Spc. Dave Lankford: 3593 noon at the beach just sunning or visiting “The ship took ground on the Photo Editor: with friends can be restful and rejuvenat- Spc. Timothy Book: 3592 shore of this uncharted desert ing. How many of us, realistically, will isle, with Gilligan…” Layout Editor: ever have this incredible opportunity to Spc. Ian Shay: 3594 So, here you are, deployed, at beautiful scuba dive or snorkel weekly in waters this Staff Writers & Design Team: Guantanamo Bay. You can’t seem to get pristine again? Even if you never have time Sgt. Todd Lamonica: 3499 the words to the Gilligan’s Island song out to scuba dive again, the experience is one Spc. Seth Myers: 3589 of your mind! You work 12-plus hours a which will stay with you long after you Spc. Jeshua Nace: 3499 day, six days a week or more, and live with leave Camp America and Club Survivor far fi ve or six of your new “closest” friends. behind. Without meaning to sound like a You’re tired, hot, desperately craving pri- commercial for MWR, check out the Ma- Contact us: vacy, and all you want is a few hours of un- rina. Sailing and boating lessons are avail- Base Information: 2000 interrupted sleep! Your mind keeps wan- able for the asking. Public Affairs Office: 3499 or 3651 dering to the castaways’ crazy schemes to For those who don’t like water sports, get rescued…maybe you really can fl oat a there are lots of other diversions to enjoy. From the continental United States: ‘56 GTMO special to Florida… When will you ever have a better chance Commercial: 011-53-99-3499 Relax. You’re on a beautiful Caribbe- to get into great physical shape? Never DSN: 660-3499 an island, with a view of the ocean Ameri- picked up a golf club? Give it a try. Swim- can tourists pay hundreds of dollars a day ming, hiking, biking, running and all types Online: for! But, your family (or signifi cant other) of sports leagues are available. You have www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil isn’t here, so what fun is this? Well that’s only to ask and you can fi nd someone who up to you, isn’t it? Rather than sit around is interested in a sport or activity you might focusing on who or what you’re missing, enjoy. What have you got to lose (except spend some time focusing on what you can some weight?). do for yourself. Not your cup of tea? Try making a cup, The last thing you want to hear me tell or a pot or a bowl. Did you know there is a you to do is to think about spending your great ceramics workshop here? Lessons in limited off-duty time taking college cours- pottery making and all the supplies needed es or “bettering yourself.” So, I won’t. are available for a small fee. Still not what Granted, there are incredible opportuni- you’re looking for? Try the chapel services ties here on the island to work on college or spend some time with a good book at the courses and military education, but there library. The 326th Mobile Public Affairs are other things you can do to put your free What happens to you during this de- Detachment, Joint Task Force- time to good use. This truly is a chance of a ployment is up to you. Take advantage of Guantanamo, produces The lifetime to do things you would never have this incredible opportunity and go explore Wire, which is printed under time for in your busy lives back home. Guantanamo Bay! the provisions of Department of The most obvious opportunity is the Honor Bound! Defense Instruction 5120.4. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2005 | THE WIRE NEWS/OPINION | PAGE 3 Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Know your rights By Army Capt. Matthew Edwards JTF-GTMO Legal Assistance Office The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) became law in Stay of Proceedings 2003 and is the successor to the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Many servicemembers also Act. The SCRA improves upon all the benefi ts that servicemem- take advantage of the “stay of bers have received through the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Act for nearly proceedings” provision of the 90 years. SCRA. This protects you from The Servicemembers Act has been in the news recently because lawsuits in civil court, which might result in a default judgment of one lender’s refusal to comply with the six percent interest rate against you since you are not present to defend yourself. Once cap provision. The lender attempted to charge an exorbitant inter- again, it is important that you notify the court in writing regarding est rate to a National Guardsman returning from Iraq. Fortunately, your military status, and if done properly, you will be granted a the servicemember knew his rights under the law and successfully delay in the court proceedings until you can return. Since we are enforced those rights against the lender. The returning Soldier can stationed overseas it is easier to demonstrate to a court that we will now look forward to a maximum six percent interest rate on all not be able to return to the United States in order to appear.