Photo By Sgt. Amber Bohlman | Members of U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 312 buckle up as they await departure...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba —The five-minute warning sounded, signaling the start of the transferring authority ceremony here at Joint Task Force Guantanamo Jan. 15.
Members from both units waited patiently in formation, either ready to be relieved, or to begin their new mission after years of preparation for a nine-month deployment.
For the U.S. Coast Guardsmen of Port Security Unit 312, the ceremony signified that their responsibility for the Maritime Security Detachment had officially been handed over to PSU 308 giving them the go-ahead to return home.
“It’s a little bit of a relief to know that we did a job well, and that we got through and had a successful deployment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Gennaro Ruocco, PSU 312 executive officer.
After nine months in country, members of PSU 312 are thankful for the experience and training that they received from this deployment and are ready to head home.
“This is my third deployment in the last six years, so it’s good to have another come to a close. I’m just glad that everybody got through it OK,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Elan Svovoda, maritime enforcement specialist. “It was a good experience for the guys who haven’t deployed before and just more experience for the guys that have.”
Ruocco said it was kind of bittersweet leaving the mission behind, but it also made him feel good that they are going back to their families.
PSU 312 supported multiple training operations, in and around the bay, provided security for U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and JTF GTMO, volunteered their time to the community and gave PSU 308 high standards to live up too.
The unit presented more than 50 awards to its members; three received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, 20 Coast Guard Achievement Medals, 15 Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbons and 15 Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals.
“Enjoy the time here in GTMO and some of the things that they have to do, get involved in as much as possible and try and be part of the community of Naval Station and JTF GTMO,” Ruocco said.
“Just help each other out. Teamwork is what gets everybody through especially people that have families back home,” Svovoda recommended to those on their first deployment.
A few delayed flights later, 75 members of PSU 312 boarded a C-17 Jan. 18 and waved their final goodbye to Guantanamo Bay as they headed off to San Francisco, the place they call home.
“It’s a marathon not a sprint, take your time and enjoy the mission,” said Ruocco in his parting words.
| Date Taken: | 01.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2015 15:31 |
| Story ID: | 152749 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Hometown: | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,298 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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