Photo By Shanita Simmons | Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, responds to a question...... read more read more
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By Army Spc. Shanita Simmons
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited the Naval Station, Jan. 13, to share his vision for the joint services and express his gratitude to those serving.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen toured the new Expeditionary Legal Complex and the Joint Task Force detention facilities where he thanked service members, who guard detainees, for their service. He also met with service members in a 'town hall' meeting where he discussed future goals for the military and Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
"JTF Guantanamo has performed extraordinarily well and has really delivered during a difficult mission," Mullen said. "The naval station has also done great work to support the mission here. I am equally proud of what the naval station has done."
During his visit, Mullen spoke favorably of the need to continue fostering the integrated capabilities that have allowed service members to perform the JTF mission in a safe and professional manner.
"The world is focused on Guantanamo Bay. We've got to get it right every single hour. The consequences of getting it wrong could be global," said Mullen.
Although Mullen admitted to going on record in support of closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities, he said no decision has been made to do so.
"There is no decision to close Guantanamo Bay. Clearly, we have worked our way in the last several years through processes, which have allowed us to understand where we are and what we are doing in a very comprehensive way," said Mullen.
"Guantanamo Bay is known to the world and there are many who editorialize on the fact that Guantanamo Bay should be closed down. The decision to close it down would be made completely out of our purview, and I am not aware of anyone who is considering doing that."
Since the Joint Task Force mission here plays an essential part in fighting the War on Terror, Mullen mentioned that the operations here are necessary to help protect Americans against possible terrorist attacks.
"The joint detention operation is a part of mitigating risk. We need to keep the detention facilities operating as best as they can be to protect Americans against individuals who have pretty bad backgrounds in terms of the War on Terror," Mullen. "This facility helps mitigate that global risk."
Mullen was sworn in as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Oct. 1, 2007. He serves as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council.
| Date Taken: | 01.13.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.13.2008 20:24 |
| Story ID: | 15405 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 185 |
| Downloads: | 176 |
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