Volume 9, Issue 16 Friday, June 13, 2008

High value detainees arraigned U.S. Army celebrates 233 years JDG Deputy Commander gets in sync Do your part: VOTE! JTF GUANTANAMOJTF-GTMO Commander: Commander: Navy Rear Adm. David M. Thomas Jr. JointNavy Rear Task Adm. Force Mark CMC: H. Buzby Am I my Navy CommandJoint Task Master Force ChiefCMC: NavyBrad Command LeVault Master Chief Brad LeVault Office of Public Affairs: Office of Public Affairs: Director: Director:Navy Cmdr Navy .Cmdr. Pauline Rick Storum Haupt:: 99289928 Deputy: Army Lt. Col. Edward Bush: 9927 brother’s SupervArmyisor Maj.: Army Richard 1st Sgt. MorehousePatrick Sellen:: 99273649 Supervisor: Army 1st Sgt.The James Wire Venske: 3649 TheEditor Wire: Army Staff Sgt. Paul Meeker: 3651 Executive Editor: keeper? Army 1st Lt.Assistant Adam Bradley: Editor: 3596 Navy Command Master Chief NavyEditor Petty: Officer 2nd Class Jeff Johnstone: 3594 Army Sgt. 1stLayout Class and Vaug Design:hn R. Larson: 3651 Brad LeVault Assistant Editors: JTF Guantanamo NavyArmy Petty Staff Officer Sgt. 2nd Emily Class Russell: Gary Keen: 2171 3594 ______Command Master Chief ArmyArmy Sgt. Sgt. Scott Gretel Griffin Sharpee:: 3594 3594 ArmyStaff Sgt.Writers: Jody Metzger: 3592 The title is an age old question that has many levels Navy Petty OfficerWeb Design 2nd Class: and is pertinent at all of them. The answer is always the Cheryl Dilgard: 3499 Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Wolff: same. Yes – you and I, we are all “our brother’s keeper.” Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Why? Why do I have to step in if someone is being 8154Nathaniel Moger: 3592 foolish? They are responsible for their own actions and Army Spc. Megan Burnham: 3589 must face the consequences for them – right? Correct, Army Pfc. EricStaff Liesse Writers:: 3589 but if you are there and do not act to prevent a bad Army Sgt. Jody Metzger: 3592 incident from happening, then you enable it – and not Contact us acting is nonetheless a decision, and you now have Army Spc. Shanita Simmons: 3589 responsibility in the matter. ArmyPublic Spc. Affairs Daniel Office: Welch: 35893651 or 3596 Unfair? The point is moot – by reasonable From the continental United States: standards, you are involved and are now part of the Commercial:Contact 011-53-99-3651 us: problem. DSN: 660-3651 Understand fi rst that the term “brother” applies BaseEmail: Information: [email protected] 2000 to everyone, not just your sibling. The fact of the PublicOnline Affairs: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil Office: 3651 or 3596 matter is that sometimes people are not able to From the continental United States: make rational decisions and require help. Maybe Commercial: 011-53-99-3651COVER: they are under a great deal of stress or have had a DSN:Coast 660-3651 Guard Petty Offi cer 2nd Class traumatic event, but whatever the reason, it will David Tillman, a boatswain’s mate take an outside infl uence for them to make the from Port Security Unit 307 out of right choices. Another thing to understand is that Clearwater,Cover Fla., Photo mans anBy: M-240B the responsibility to infl uence never ends. crewNavy served Petty Officer weapon 2nd while Class on You may be a complete stranger, but your patrol in Guantanamo Bay, June rational infl uence in a situation may mean the 10. – JTFRobert Guantanamo Clowney photo by difference between someone making a choice Navy Petty OffiOnline: cer 2nd Class Nat that changes lives or otherwise. I submit Moger that intervening as a stranger is easier than www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil intervening as a friend. As a stranger you step in and step out. There is no judging afterward or hurt feelings. Friends, however, are put to the test in these situations. If you are truly a friend, it becomes your responsibility to be the fi rst line of defense. Many times people make bad choices to draw attention. What they really want is to be noticed by you and asked what is wrong. They are looking for a true friend. Enabling your friend’s bad choices by agreeing, or actually The WIRE is the official news magazine of Joint Task Force participating, sends the message that you Guantanamo. It is produced by the JTF Public Affairs Office to inform and educate the Troopers of JTF Guantanamo don’t care. It strengthens the bad choice, through news, features, command guidance, sports and making it more diffi cult for your friend to see entertainment. The WIRE seeks to provide maximum Tdisclosure h e Public with minimum Affairs delay with regards Office to security, the mistake or legitimately ask for help. accuracy, propriety and policy. This DoD news magazine is It requires maturity and effort to be a true anJointTaskForce authorized publication for the-Guantanamo, members of the Department friend. True friends call a bad choice a bad producesof Defense. Contents The of The WIRE Wire are, not which necessarily isthe official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the choice before it goes bad. Be a true friend, Departmentprinted of Defense,under or Joint the Task Forceprovisions Guantanamo. It and fi nd only true friends. ofis printed Department by the Document Automation of & Production Defense Service And, yes – you are your brother’s keeper. Instructionwith a circulation of 1000. 5120.4

PAGE 2 | THE WIRE TROOPER-TO-TROOPER | FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 New Port Security Unit on Station

Members of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 307, from Clearwater, Fla., simulate aggressive screening and herding maneuvers while patrolling Guantanamo Bay.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class areas which are more accessible by boat Nat Moger challenges for a PSU. than by land vehicles. To fulfill these ______JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs “The biggest thing for us this deployment missions, PSU 307 has brought cutting was the incorporation of our shore side edge equipment. U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is security into commissions support,” “We’ve got the transportable port security the oldest overseas naval station. It is also said Howatson. “This meant a larger boat from Boston Whaler out there,” said the only one in a country with which the detachment and bringing our security force Grassino. “It’s got everything you need: U.S. does not have diplomatic relations. from home.” machine guns, crewserved weapons, state- While Marines patrol the fence line Following a turnover period between of-the-art electronics, a complete comms separating Gitmo from the rest of Cuba, Howatson and Coast Guard Cmdr. Robert suite. Of coure, we’ve also got the best there are still miles of coastline exposed to Grassino, PSU 307 commanding officer, trained crews in the world.” the water. PSU 307 has completely taken over all of These crews draw experience from their Coast Guard port security units are PSU 313’s responsibilities. work back home in Florida. responsible for that coastline. “We went through a right-seat, left-seat “We’re a reserve unit and the majority On the morning of June 5, Port Security period,” said Howatson. “Cmdr. Grassino of our people are police officers and Unit 313, from Tacoma Wash., transferred was my co-pilot, until we switched seats firefighters,” said Grassino. “This mission authority over to PSU 307, from Clearwater, and I was his co-pilot. Now he’s steering is the nexus of their civilian and Coast Fla., in a ceremony by the boathouse here. the whole thing.” Guard jobs. They’re perfectly suited for Looking over the past six months, Coast Grassino views success not only in this. And the ones who aren’t policemen Guard Cmdr. Jim Howatson, commanding flawless operations while in theater, but or firefighters are mature, successful officer of PSU 313, saw the deployment as also by passing down his lessons learned professionals with top notch educations.” an opportunity to put all of 313’s skills to to his replacements, creating a sustainable Fortunately for the Coast Guardsmen in the test. rotation between the Coast Guard’s eight PSU 307, Grassino doesn’t look at the next “Our deployment has been excellent,” PSUs. six months as all work and no play. said Howatson. “This was a great “If the next PSU can improve on us “I’ve asked all my folks to turn in a operational opportunity. The op tempo because we’ve left them in good shape, professional goal, a personal goal and a was continuously high, so everyone was then we’ve done our job,” said Grassino. fitness goal,” said Grassino. “Hopefully constantly engaged.” Currently PSU 307 conducts many all my guys will leave in better shape and Besides providing anti-terrorism and secondary missions, including vessel take advantage of everything that Gitmo force protection for the waters surrounding escort, search and rescue missions, random offers, from education, to scuba diving to the naval station and Joint Task Force anti-terrorism measure, and insertion and the classes offered at the gym.” Guantanamo, Howatson’s unit faced new extraction missions with the Marines in

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 | MISSION THE WIRE | PAGE 3 JDG deputy commander accepts challenge

Army Staff Sgt. Emily J. Russell ______JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs Conducting a symphony requires a keen ear, a quick eye and a steady hand to maintain the perfect tempo. As deputy commander of the Joint Detention Group, Joint Task Force, Guantanamo Bay, Navy Cmdr. Ed Weisbrod must orchestrate intelligence, operations and civil military affairs in an environment that sometimes struggles for harmony. “The biggest challenge the deputy commander faces,” said JDG commander Army Col. Bruce Vargo, “is the synchronization of all aspects of the JDG. I primarily rely on him to manage the intelligence, military operations and civil military operations functions within the camps. “He handles who is going where and when, who needs to move, which detainees need to move and where the priorities are,” continued Vargo. Weisbrod also manages all visits to the camps, whether from United Service Organizations, Joint Civilian Orientation Conference or distinguished visitors. He coordinates the activities with intelligence, force protection and detainee operations in mind. “The challenge of the position was overwhelming at first,” said Weisbrod. “There is a lot of minutia you have to know, Navy Cmdr. Ed Weisbrod, Joint Detention Group deputy commander, takes time especially when it comes to the detainees. to speak with a Trooper during a United Service Organization tour while at the The details are extremely important. detention center medical facility. “As the deputy, my job is to ensure that Col. Vargo knows about things that affect “Every once in a while we get a curve “The only way you catch up with the the Joint Task Force,” he continued. “I ball from someone outside the JDG who game is to be 100 percent involved with make sure he doesn’t get bogged down in has a medical, intel, or support service the job, which he is, no doubt,” Vargo said. the details of things that he needs to know. question and the primary staff person is not “You won’t find a day during the week I’m kind of like a filter.” available,” he added. “But the JDG staff is [Weisbrod] isn’t in the camps learning Weisbrod has used the last few weeks constantly communicating. When it comes about them, meeting troops, patting them to settle into the role of JDG deputy down to important issues, rarely does it on the back and watching operations. He is commander. take more than a couple hours to resolve very good at what he does.” “My issue in the beginning was [that] them or come to some sort of agreement. Weisbrod came to Guantanamo to I didn’t know who to ask for the right Everyone works together really well.” serve as an individual augmentee with the answer. The answers are there, [but] part Like in any large organization, leadership JDG. At his home station, a float Training of my ramping up was knowing who to go is key. Knowing the nuts and bolts of the Group in San Diego, he is the head aviation to,” Weisbrod explained. “The staff here is day-to-day operations comes with time but assessor for all flight deck certifications excellent and knows all the answers or can providing oversight and follow-through is and assessments for Pacific Fleet. find them out immediately. critical from day one.

PAGE 4 | THE WIRE MISSION | FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 Army Col. Lawrence Morris, chief prosecutor for the Office of Military Commissions, addresses civilian media during a press conference following A big day the arraignment of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other alleged Sept. 11 co-conspirators in McCalla Hangar here June 5.

civilian objects, intentionally causing  serious bodily injury, murder in violation World’s eyes on Gitmo as of the law of war, destruction of property Sept. 11 terror attack in violation of the law of war, hijacking or hazarding a vessel or aircraft, terrorism and co-conspirators arraigned providing material support for terrorism. Typically an arraignment consists of the Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class formal reading of charges to the accused in Nat Moger his presence and an election of counsel by ______JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs the accused. Mohammed and the four other accused Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, alleged expressed their desires to proceed without Sept. 11 mastermind and former al-Qaeda military or civilian defense counsel and act number three, and four other alleged Sept. 11 as their own counsel, or proceed “pro se.” co-conspirators were arraigned on multiple “From religion point of view we cannot charges of terrorism-related activities accept any American citizen as defense,” at the Expeditionary Legal Complex on said Mohammed in choppy, but confident, U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo, June 5. English, citing Sharia law as the only legal If convicted, the accused may face capital system he would follow. “I’m not talking punishment. about your laws, I’m talking about God The arraignment came after the accused laws.” were served the referred charges of The detailed military judge, Marine Col. conspiracy, attacking civilians, attacking Ralph Kohlmann, urged each of the accused to consider the option of retaining military In this courtroom sketch by artist Janet counsel, patiently listing the advantages Hamlin, detainee Ramzi Bin al Shibh’s legal professionals have over the accused, defense counsel sits to his right during including not being detained and having his arraignment June 5 at Guantanamo Bay. See COMMISSIONS/13

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 | VOICE OF THE FORCE THE WIRE | PAGE 5 Summer heats up with co-ed Volleyball League

Team Joint Effort battles it out during their second game of the match June 10. – JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Sgt. Gretel Sharpee

Navy Petty Offi cer 2nd Class Nat Moger ______JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs Sixteen teams are currently in the Leave the bug spray and the sandals and hunt, with JUNO, GTMO Latino, NEX grab your sneakers and jerseys, because the Rollers and Bubble Gang at the top with hottest volleyball action on base isn’t in the three wins apiece. By June 20, JUNO and sand, it’s in the gym. Bubble Gang will have played each of the The 2008 indoor volleyball season is in other undefeated teams assuring heaping full swing, with teams vying to end up at shovelfuls of furious volleyball action. the top of the leaders board. However, it’s not all competition all The league is following USA Volleyball the time for everyone. Chris Kutyreff, a rules, with exceptions to accommodate a Meredith Denoyer bumps the ball to participant in the league, is still looking for co-ed environment. At least one member of her teammate to make the fi nal hit his fi rst win, but appreciates the balanced each team must be female, but in order to over the net in a match with Joint playing environment and emphasis on play a full complement of six, a team must Effort. – JTF Guantanamo photo by sportsmanship. have two females. Teams may play with Army Sgt. Gretel Sharpee “I wanted to participate in something,” four or fi ve to avoid forfeit. Games are said Kutyreff. “It fi ts in my schedule decided best two out of three, to 25, with and they’ve done a great job keeping the the fi nal game to 15, all rally style. tournament fun but still competitive.”

PAGE 6 | THE WIRE LOCAL SPORTS | FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 The art of stupidity

Army Pfc. fi rst Spider-Man fi lm, with star Drake Bell With more cameos than a Friars Club Eric Liesse playing the high-jumping, super-strong, Roast, the fl ick never lets up on the JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs wish-he-could fl y superhero of Dragonfl y. sometimes-overdone spoofs or hit-and- ______He even gets his power from a class fi eld miss jokes. The many cultural references Spoof movies use to be rare at the trip as his normal self, high school news sprinkled throughout are usually funnier local movie theaters. Lately, however, it photographer Rick Riker, in which he gets anyhow. The movie also deserves plenty of seems one is popping up about every six bitten by a genetically engineered bug. credit for going almost an hour without a months. The latest and not-as-bad-as-most However, in “Superhero Movie,” he then fart joke. is “Superhero Movie.” gets violated by a hoard of random animals With gags as random as Dragonfl y’s aunt Guess what it makes fun of? in heat. stuffi ng a plant and a bottle of vodka in a Continuing the theme that just won’t Of course, every ridiculous hero needs turkey that she is about to bake, it’s obvious die, “Superhero Movie” pokes fun in the a villain with an equally shoddy premise. this movie does not require the audience to eye of all the big comic book heroes’ latest In steps Dragonfl y’s nemesis, Hourglass, a think; only to laugh at the pointless jokes. silver screen adventures, with even more mad scientist in a big suit who is infatuated references to the general American culture, with time because he must consume the life with mockeries of things like Apple’s iPod force of one person per day to stay alive. PG-13 line (again), to internet (teenage) craze Played by veteran villain actor Christopher 1 hour, 25 minutes MySpace, to Barry Bond’s (alleged) steroid McDonald, Hourglass intends to build a Rating: use. machine to kill thousands of people at once The story mostly mirrors that of the and use their life force to gain immortality.

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 | MOVIE RECON THE WIRE | PAGE 7 Historical information provided by Army Spc. Daniel Welch and the Spanish- visualize the battle of American War Centennial Website. cuzco wells Photos and story by Army 1st Lt. Adam Bradley and Army Sgt. Gretel Sharpee

The view of this bay would have been slightly the battle for Cuzco well, the Spanish attacked Spanish were pushed further back the Dolphin’s different in 1898. The USS Dolphin would have and retreated several times. The Marines fire support began encroaching on the Marines been positioned off the coast and firing directly suffered few casualties but because of the and Cubans. To provide a signal for the Dolphin where the white marker is placed. frequent attacks, reinforcement and re-supply to cease fire, Staff Sgt. John Quick climbed atop On June 14, 1898, U.S. Marines and Cuban were difficult. of the hill facing the bay, exposing himself to the officers and guerillas engaged the Spanish In an effort to end the frequent attacks, Col. friendly fire, and used the Meyer signaling system forces in a series of engagements in and around Enrique Thomas, who was in command of 225 to communicate the new enemy position to the the area known as Cuzco, to include the Cuzco Marines and 50 Cubans, advocated to attack Dolphin. water well. at Cuzco to take control of the well. Since The fighting stopped by 3p.m. that day when the The Marines were already encamped in an Cuzco well was the only fresh water source in Spanish were forced to retreat to Guantanamo area now known as McCalla Hwill, a position the immediate area, Thomas thought by taking City. In total from the day of fighting, the Marines gained through the support of Navy gun ships. control and destroying the well, the Spanish captured 18 Spanish soldiers, killed 58 and However, the cacti and rough brush encased would have no choice but to retreat back to wounded over 150 without suffering a single terrain gave the Spanish, who had higher, inland Guantanamo City. casualty. hills, a clear advantage when engaging the The two companies of Marines and Cuban After 110 years, the United States still maintains Marines below. guerrillas engaged the Spanish with the Dolphin a place –by treaty- on the former Spanish territory Over the course of the three days preceding providing support fire from the bay. As the of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

110 Years

PPAGEAGE 88||| TTHEHE WWWIREIREIRE PHOTO FEATURE | FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008 |PHOTO FEATURE TTTHEHEHE WWWIREIREIRE || | PPPAGEAGEAGE 999 Drawn to history Army Sgt. 1st Class Vaughn R. Larson ______JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs Janet Hamlin may have an eye for detail, but it was a nose that made news recently. Not her nose, exactly – Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s nose. Hamlin is a professional illustrator, and you’ve probably seen some of her recent work – sketches of the Sept. 11 conspirators during the military commissions held at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. She described the task as both challenging and rewarding. “It’s a one-shot deal,” she explained. “They are only up for so long, so you have to get what you can when you can. “I feel like a human Polaroid.” Because cameras are not allowed in the Expeditionary Legal Complex where the commissions are held, Hamlin provides the only images the rest of the world will see. She identifies the subject first and captures their image with pastel on tone paper right away. She then adds the surrounding scene. She said a typical sketch takes about an hour, but added that time demands can vary. “Yesterday was the fastest,” she said, referring to the June 5 commissions arraignment. “I did six [sketches]. It was such a big deal – I had to. “You have to visually edit,” she continued. “There’s no way you can capture everything.” One sketch – a profile of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, also referred to as KSM, the professed mastermind of the Sept. 11 terror attacks – required a different kind of editing. Geneva Convention rules extended to enemy combatants prohibit detainees from being paraded in public; this includes images intended for public distribution. This meant that KSM was allowed to see Hamlin’s sketch, and had veto authority over its release. He complained his nose was too big in the sketch, and suggested Hamlin refer to his FBI photo. “I’ve never had to [redraw] before,” she said, despite providing sketches from four previous proceedings at Guantanamo. “I wasn’t surprised, because I didn’t think the likeness was right. I was happy to have the chance to go back and fix it.” This would not have been an issue when she first sketched legal proceedings at Guantanamo Bay. “At first I had to erase faces,” she recalled. “They changed it so I could draw detainees’ faces.” The courtroom sketches are reviewed by a Pentagon official before being approved for release. Hamlin studied illustration at the Art Center College of Design, where she graduated with honors in 1987. A freelance artist for 20 years, she is currently working on a children’s book series. Her clients include the Associated Press – which first sent her to sketch at Guantanamo Bay in 2006 – as well as Time Warner, Universal Studios, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Playboy, IBM and HarperCollins. Still, she said it’s difficult to accept the magnitude of sketching history as it unfolds. “It’s pretty amazing,” she confessed. “I’m proud to be a part of it. I was in New York when 9-11 happened – it’s sort of personal.”

PAGE 10| THE WIRE NEWS & INFORMATION | FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 gitmo to celebrate army’s 233rd birthday

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Nat Moger JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs an Army, and we openly invite others to ______share in our proud traditions and heritage.” Most 58-year-olds have issues lifting The menu will include steak and seafood, 80 pounds, much less strapping that much and will be served in a mess environment weight to their bodies and running around with no segregation between officers, all day. Yet at four times that age, the U.S. I will be reflecting on all the senior enlisted and junior enlisted. The Army and the proud men and women who price will be $3.85, and will be free to those comprise it and its reserve components, the battles the Army has fought with meal cards. There will also be toasts in U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard, throughout history and my honor of the President of the United States, can secure hostile ground in the darkness the U.S. Army, to fallen comrades and to of night through the deployment of highly continued amazment at the ladies, families and loved ones. trained infantry companies, bring order young men and women who “It’s also a time to acknowledge the to chaos with bunker busting and indirect sacrifices we have made to maintain a fire from field artillery batteries, strike have always served and how peaceful and secure nation,” said Troxler. deep into enemy territory with mobile and The ceremony will conclude with the lethal firepower via the rolling thunder of they continue to answer their Army Song and a cake cutting ceremony armored cavalry troops, and place a dozen country’s call. with the oldest and youngest members thick-necked operators directly over the – Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Fowler present, signifying the past and the future rooftop of any building, anywhere in the ““ of the Army and a chance to balance past world ready to Aussie rappel from the achievements with upcoming challenges. relative safety of their UH-60 Blackhawk Maj. Donald Troxler, event coordinator. “I will be reflecting on all the battles the helicopter and kick down a door. “The Army birthday dinner is designed to Army has fought throughout history and Not bad for a 232-year-old. honor the proud history and heritage of our my continued amazement at the young men On June 14, Joint Task Force nation.” and women who have always served and Guantanamo will celebrate the U.S. Army’s Members of all branches of service and how they continue to answer their county’s 233rd birthday with a mess-style dinner at civilians are cordially invited to attend, in call,” said 525th Military Police Battalion the Seaside Galley here at 4:30 p.m. civilian attire, and reflect on the centuries Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Fowler. “I “American Soldiers have fought in of selfless service by Soldiers around the believe everyday we should give thanks 10 wars, from the American Revolution world. for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines through the Cold War, the Gulf War and the “We are in a joint environment,” said and Coast Guardsmen who gave their life in current War on Terrorism,” said Army Sgt. Troxler. “We are proud of our heritage as defense of the United States of America.”

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 | NEWS & INFORMATION THE WIRE | PAGE 11 Be smart: do your part

Navy Petty Officer representative is Navy Petty Officer 1st Follow these steps to cast your vote. Cheryl Dilgard Class James Richardson, located at the ______JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs Troopers One Stop, building 1451, in the 1. Register (either online or by visiting legal offices. Troopers are welcome to come the voting representative) It’s your right and your responsibility, in Monday through Friday between 0830 2. Fill the form out in its entirety, make voting. Presidential elections are on and 1700 to register to vote and request an sure you sign it. the horizon this fall. Not only will absentee ballot. 3. Return the form. our commander in chief be chosen by “Mail here is slow so it is a good idea to 4. Upon receiving your ballot, vote in democratic vote, but also many local fill out the forms early,” said Richardson. secrecy. officials and local issues will be settled. We Generally forms must be filled out and 5. Sign the affidavit that accompanies are in the unique position to actually have mailed between August 31 and September your ballot, and the outside of the a say in who will be the next leader of the 7, depending on the state. To avoid envelope. free world. confusion and possibly missing out on a 6. Mail it off. Our vote counts as we have seen in past vote, register early. These six simple steps allow you to take elections. The absentee vote can make or “I would recommend people register part in one of the greatest freedoms we break an issue or a politician. That is why prior to August 31. At the very least you have the privilege to participate in. The it is so important for each of us to register, need to give your self three weeks to mail presidential election will be held November and actually vote. the form. Allow time for it to be processed, 4, and your vote counts. We have the luxury of being able to and allow three weeks for the ballot to be Members of JTF who are interested in vote using an absentee vote, which means returned to you,” said Richardson. finding out more about voting assistance that our ballots can be mailed to us and we If you do not want to visit the Troopers or becoming a voting assistance officer can can mail it back. In order to make our vote One Stop you can go to FVAP.gov, the call Richardson at 8113. count however we need to meet the specific federal voters assistance program online. deadlines and make sure we are registered There you can follow the links to register to vote. to vote, but you will still need to allow time The Joint Task Force voting for processing and receiving the ballots. Proper sun screening a bright idea For many people who live in Guantanamo still protect against exposure when wet. The UV Index number, on a scale from Bay, this hot-and-humid climate is one that Use sunscreen. Sunscreen, with sun 1 to 11+, is a measure of the amount of getting used used to. Getting too much sun protection factor (SPF) 15, at least, does UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface can do more damage than just the pain and not provide total protection against the during an hour around noon. The higher the irritation of a sunburn. sun. Apply sunscreen to dry skin 20 to 30 number indicates the greater the exposure Overexposure to UV radiation has minutes before going outside so the skin to UV radiation. Guantanamo Bay normally caused 65-90 percent of all skin cancers as has time to absorb the chemicals. has levels of 10+ while most of the well as signs of premature aging such as Pay close attention to and apply United States only obtains a 10 UV wrinkles, pigmented spots and cataracts, generously to areas not covered by level. and a weakened immune system. clothing including the face, ears, The sun and its UV rays can While skin cancer becomes more hands and arms, and reapply every benefit the body but only in limited apparent with increasing age, malignant two hours. quantities of time and exposure. melanoma, the most serious form of skin Wear a Hat. Make sure it has With the effects of overexposure to cancer has been rated as the third most at least a two to three inch brim all UV radiation, it’s not really worth common cancer in people aged 15-24 years. around to protect areas such as the it to ignore potential hazards of Melanoma is also twice as common in young neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and UV rays and fail to minimize these females as young males. Nevertheless, this scalp. hazards. type of skin cancer is unusual in that it is Wear sunglasses. UV-blocking Go out and have fun this 100 percent preventable! sunglasses block 99-100 percent of UVA weekend, and remember, apply the However, there are ways to achieve and UVB radiation. This protects eyes sunscreen! moderate sun exposure that will increase from sun damage and decreases the chance Sources: American Cancer Society. Skin overall health. of developing eye disease. Cancer Prevention and Early Detection; The following tips apply to most Limit direct sun exposure. Avoid direct Health Sponsorship Council. The Risks environments and skin types to avoiding contact with the sun during midday when & Benefits of Sun Exposure in New overexposure. UV rays are most intense; this is normally Zealand. 2006; California School Boards Cover Up. When outside always between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Association. Background: The Harmful wear clothing to protect as much of To increase awareness of the effects of Effects of Exposure to Sun. July 2006; the skin as possible. Ideal sun-protective UV radiation, the Environmental Protection Cancer Research UK. Young People and fabrics are lightweight, comfortable, and Agency (EPA) has developed a UV Index. Skin Cancer. May 2005.

PAGE 12 | THE WIRE NEWS & INFORMATION | FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 Commissions from 5 him. This came after Kohlmann denied access to computers to research and prepare Jackson a continuance until the following Sept. 11 motions. morning to establish a relationship with his Mohammed, Walid Muhammed Salih client. Jackson also informed Kohlmann he co-conspirators Mubarak Bin ‘Attash and Ali Abdul Aziz intended to request to sever the proceedings Ali continued without defense counsel, from the other four cases, saying Hawsawi although they retained their formerly “has been coerced into turning down the arraigned detailed military counsel and civilian election of counsel,” and alleging that defense attorney as Mohammed taunted Hawsawi, asking if he advisers, allowing was “in the American Army now.” them to be next to the The arraignment concluded with accused during trial, Prosecutor Robert Swann expressing the but unable to formally prosecution’s intention of fi ling a motion to represent them. have the accused present at each session, Navy Cmdr. if only to have them express their desire Suzanne Lachelier to be absent to the judge. In the case of and Navy Lt. Richard military commissions, the accused are Federico were able to required to be present at arraignment, but stay on as counsel for there is no requirement during subsequent Ramzi Bin al Shibh, proceedings. due to the unknown In a press conference afterwards, Army effect of medication Col. Lawrence Morris, Offi ce of Military on al Shibh’s cognitive Commissions chief prosecutor, explained abilities. Kohlmann that for the lawyers involved “a case is best made a ruling to revisit prepared and best tried with the accused the matter of counsel next to them,” and noted “there’s no system after examining al in the U.S. where the defendant gets to opt Shibh’s medical out of the trial.” history and present Addressing issues of trying all fi ve at condition. once, Morris said “they’re co-conspirators. Army Maj. Jon It’s not an accident. These are the fi ve Jackson and Navy Lt. people in U.S. custody most responsible for Gretchen Sosbee were the murder of 2,973 individuals.” also allowed to stay OMC chief defense counsel Army Col. on as defense counsel Steven David thanked Joint Task Force for Mustafa Ahmed Troopers, starting off his address to the Adam al Hawsawi press saying “there were many young men after Kohlmann ruled and women who were here early in the that Hawsawi did not morning and who are still here now that understand the charges made all this possible, letting you do what A sketch of Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, done by sketch artist Janet and penalties facing Hamlin, is the only visual dpiction of his arraignment you are here to do.” here since no photography was allowed in the court room. – Contributed sketch by Janet Hamlin Boots on the Ground by Navy Petty Offi cer 2nd Class Cheryl Dilgard What is your useless fact about Gitmo?

Navy Petty Offi cer 3rd Army Staff Sgt. Army Special Agent Army Spc. Class Clarence Knight Jeremy Dubois James Hendry Chandradeo Harry

“I was told when I came “Useless fact about “More cars are held “Iguana tastes like to Gitmo that it only Gitmo? There are fi ve together with Duct chicken. Really expensive rains about 2-inches a beaches on this island tape per capita than chicken.” year. I have been here 3 and no sand.” anywhere else in the weeks and it has been world.” more then that. ”

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 | VOICE OF THE FORCE THE WIRE | PAGE 13 Happy Father’s Day Army Capt. Y.J. Kim th ______Chaplain, 525 MP Battalion When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry. – Jewish Proverb Fatherhood is one of life's most challenging yet fulfi lling endeavors. This day, we honor all our fathers and express our appreciation for all they do to help build a strong foundation for our children. At the outset, I would declare that being a parent is a hard job. I know; I'm a father. I've often thought being an Army Chaplain is a hard job, though it's nothing compared to fathering kids! May God bless those of you who are called by Him to be fathers. There is nothing in life more important than parenting. With such gratefulness, I want to encourage our dads with some suggestions this Father’s Day. Dads, we need to create a context of grace. Our homes need to be a place of love, support, respect and encouragement: a place where we all can speak the truth to one another in love. Basically, any home needs to be a place with your children, you need to know that wonder, love, and beauty of the Lord. to meet the material and the emotional all the fathers tested estimated their time These are the awesome tasks placed needs of children. It means that fathers to be 30 times greater than the actual time before us. take the time to teach, inspire, enlighten, they spent with their children. When we As fathers we need to bring into the warn, discipline and hold accountable, compare 37 seconds with the average four home components of faith, humility, while refusing to be demeaning or to seven hours per day our children watch tolerant love and mutual submission. hurtful. I would suggest that you grant television, why do we wonder what is Unfortunately, too many people act like them as much freedom as possible within happening with today’s kids? demons at home. Our worst selves are legitimate boundaries and avoid placing Time is the greatest gift a father can what the people who are closest to us see. unhealthy expectations on their shoulders. give his family. Fathering is serious The most important witness we have is the It is dangerous for parents to live their business. None of us is perfect. We all witness within our families. Our integrity lives through their children. have shortcomings—children and parents begins in the home, with the family. We All of these things require time. Not alike. Our Heavenly Father knows our need to fulfi ll this salient responsibility by just quality time, but quantity time. fl aws better than we know them ourselves, loving our children with all our heart and The current picture of reality is grim. and yet He has pity on our weakness and demonstrating this love daily. The average time in the United States that loves us anyway. This Father's Day, I encourage you to a father spends daily with his children is God has called us to be fathers. As the recognize the many fathers in uniform only 37 seconds! Researchers had fathers Bible teaches, there are responsibilities who are role models for their children. wear recording devices which revealed an for us all. As children we are called to As Henry W. Beecher once said, average of 2.7 encounters daily with their obedience and to honor our parents. As “Children never know the love of the children, each lasting between 10 and 15 fathers we are called to nurture and to parents until they become parents seconds. instruct in godliness, to pull back the themselves.” Thus, take heart, fathers, for Before you join me in thinking you curtain in such a way that our children your endeavors are not in vain. spend a lot more time than 37 seconds might catch a glimpse of the splendor, Happy Father’s Day! JTF CHAPEL SCHEDULED PROGRAMS Catholic Mass Protestant Worship Sunday: 7 a.m. Confession Sunday: 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. 7:30 Mass Spanish Protestant Worship Wednesday: 11 a.m. Mass Sunday: Noon

PAGE 14 | THE WIRE LIFE & SPIRIT | FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 Not just another Dad

 Quick actions saved the life of fellow Trooper

Navy Petty Officer Cheryl Dilgard Army Master ______JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs Sgt. Thomas Richards, the Master Sgt. Thomas Richards of the NCOIC of the J-6 New Mexico Army National Guard is communications many things: a non-commissioned officer department deals in charge, a dad, a friend. with all forms of Now he can add lifesaver to that list. communications Recently, a Trooper who had been issues. drinking heavily had difficulty breathing and lost consciousness. Richards assessed playing the guitar. Wednesday was his first current events, but when he is at home he the situation, began administering CPR and opportunity to perform at an ‘Open Mic’ keeps busy with projects around the house. saved the Trooper’s life. night at the Caribbean Coffee and Cream. “I love working on my home. When you Thanks to the quick thinking and In his civilian life he is an automotive buy a block home built in 1952, you get training of Richards, this Trooper is alive service equipment technician for the city good at repairs. I put in my own heating, today and getting help. Alcohol is mistaken of Albuquerque and works on large diesel ventilation and air system,” said Richards. by many as a stress reliever, and some may garbage trucks. Richards, married for He has also done other construction have troubles recognizing when enough is almost 19 years is the father of a 16-year jobs around his home such as tearing enough. old son. Back home Richards plays guitar down walls, installing a bar and finding Richards has found other ways to relieve with his son, who is interested in music and ways to make his home more valuable and his stress. Richards loves to swim, go to sports. comfortable for him and his family. the gym, and stoke his creative flames by Richards loves to read about history and Richards, originally from Los Angeles, joined the Army in 1980 and served ten Richards years on active duty and 18 years in the relaxes by National Guard. He has been deployed playing his three times. His first deployment is his guitar after proudest accomplishment in the Army. work. Richards “I was deployed to Prince Sultan Air is preparing for Base in Saudi Arabia. It was there that I his first ‘Open was the NCOIC and was part of the stand Mic’ night in up for the Patriot unit before and after Sept. Guantanamo on 11,” said Richards. Wednesday at Richards also deployed in support of the Caribbean Operation Clear Skies, where he was based Coffee and out of Fort Bliss, Texas. There his primary Cream. duties involved the security and protection of President George W. Bush while he was at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Now, on his third deployment, he is the NCOIC of J-6, which is responsible for JTF communications. In this position he manages many forms of communication including wireless and radio communications. He is responsible for doing research to upgrade systems.

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 | 15 MINUTES OF FAME THE WIRE | PAGE 15 Brad Decker entertains the A member of the 2nd audience at Open Headquarters and Mic Night at the Headquarters Service Caribbean Coffee and Battery, Puerto Rico Cream on June 11. Army National Guard – JTF Guantanamo prepares to unload photo by Navy Petty protective equipment. Officer 2nd Class – JTF Guantanamo Cheryl Dilgard photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Nat Moger 

The New Mexico Army National Guard’s Adjutant General Kenny C. Montoya and Joint Task Force Deputy Commander, Brig. Gen. Gregory J. Zanetti ride across Guantanamo Bay in a viper boat while receiving a briefi ng on naval station operations. – JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Pvt. Carlynn M. Knaak 

Eric Mabius, actor from the television show “Ugly Betty”, Mike Vogel, actor from the movie “Cloverfi eld” and Hilarie Burton of television’s “One Tree Hill” pause for a photo with members AROUND of the 307th Port Security Unit. THE JTF Guantanamo photo by Army Spc. Megan Burnham JTFJTF AROUND THE JTF | FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008