Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathaniel Moger | Army Spc. Miguel Huertas (foreground) and Army Sgt. Joseph Maldonado, both members of...... read more read more
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By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathaniel Moger
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – A constantly clear sky/serves as its canopy/and placid lullabies are sung/by the waves at its feet.
From an objective standpoint these words could be recounting any of the innumerable beautiful days on Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. However close these lyrics might seem to be describing Guantanamo, they are not. They are describing Borinquena, a name given to the island of Puerto Rico by its early native inhabitants.
The words are from La Borinquena, the national anthem of Puerto Rico. Located a little less than 500 miles east of Guantanamo Bay, Puerto Rico shares more than just similar skies, mountainous terrain and the blue waters of the Carribean. Now, more than 140 Borinquenos and Borinquenas are present to protect the Joint Task Force.
On Feb. 28 the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Field Artillery from the Puerto Rico National Guard assumed the duties that Company C, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry from the PRNG have been fulfilling for the past year: the external security for those who work and live in Camp America.
These responsibilities, common to any force protection unit, primarily entail manning static and roving security positions in and around Camp America. It's a job that requires hours of constant vigilance performed in generally hot weather conditions.
"The hardest part is taking the sun and the heat," said Army Capt. Pedro Pomales, commander of HHSB 2. "It's definitely an outdoors job, not an office or desk job."
Fortunately, life back in Puerto Rico has certainly prepared these Soldiers for the challenges posed by the muggy tropical heat. In fact, these troopers may be the only ones who look at a deployment to Guantanamo as a trip to a slightly cooler climate.
"My guys are really enjoying this," explained Pomales. "It's not much different than back home. Actually, it's drier here, not as humid and it doesn't rain as much. Now, back in Fort Lewis, Wash. they were freezing."
Fort Lewis was the site of their mobilization training, and they are looking to bring the lessons learned there to bear.
"We were trained well in Fort Lewis," said Pomales. "They taught us how to do all of the different jobs we have down here."
However, there were still JTF specific aspects of the jobs that required a ten day stretch of "left seat, right seat" activity with Charlie Company where HHSB was taught the finer details of their responsibilities.
"Charlie Company showed us the different standard operating procedures for the security positions and the 'Mavericks,' (up-armored HUMMVEEs that provide roving security)," said Pomales. "Altogether the training went well."
Now, with all responsibility for external security in their hands, HHSB is starting to enjoy their role in the JTF.
"This is our first joint mission as a unit, but we don't see any difference between branches," said Pomales. "Everyone is respectful to my guys and they're the same back."
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.13.2008 08:51 |
| Story ID: | 17320 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 253 |
| Downloads: | 236 |
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