Photo By 1st Sgt. James Wagner | Some of the members of the 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment from Madison, Wis.,...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Scott Griffin
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – There's a new set of eyes in Joint Task Force Guantanamo – the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. The 112th replaces the 241st MPAD out of Carville, La.
"We're here to tell the Joint Task Force story," 1st Sgt. James Venske said. "We're trained in various specialties to provide accurate information in a timely fashion."
Based out of Madison, Wis., the 112th is specialized in all of the complex roles necessary for successfully telling the story of the JTF.
"The 112th brings with it a variety of talent to include a newspaper editor (and cartoonist), an Armed Forces Korea television news anchor, and a DJ to name a few," said 112th commander, Maj. Richard Morehouse. "The whole unit is trained and very motivated to be here at Guantanamo. They will continue the great job that Louisiana's 241st MPAD has been doing over the past year, while prepping for the excitement that the commissions will bring to the JTF."
That training breaks the MPAD down into three sections comprising multiple responsibilities. Media Relations is exactly what it sounds like – they're the people who bring the media in and provide them with access to the JTF. Media Relations clears civilian media from all over the world for access then provides tours of the facilities. They also coordinate all of the civilian media for the historic commissions.
Public Information interacts with another critical audience – the average person, the guy reading the paper at home, even your family.
"It's critically important that the average citizen gets a good understanding of all the operations within the JTF – not just what they might see on the news," said PI Staff Sgt. Jim Wagner. "It's our job to get that information out to them."
PI provides photo coverage of visits by distinguished visitors; they maintain the JTF website and market stories to outside, non-military venues to increase awareness; they send releases to your hometown to let your family and friends know what you're doing.
The third section is Command Information – you're holding their product in your hand and reading it right now. CI is responsible for internal information for the JTF via print, broadcast and radio stories. The Wire has been a JTF publication since 2002. Tune into the local radio and you'll hear the sound of JTF productions. Check out defenselink.mil or the Pentagon Channel and you'll see examples of broadcast packages. All handled expertly by the mighty arm that is Command Information.
The Wire itself will be getting a minor facelift over the coming weeks, according to Wire editor Sgt. 1st Class Vaughn Larson. "We plan a stronger emphasis on photos and a slight format change that we hope the readers will find to their liking," he explained.
Many of the members of the 112th are no strangers to deployment. The majority of the officers have deployed in various roles and some of the enlisted deployed with their predecessor unit, the 139th MPAD. The 139th was a "split-unit," with the parent half based out of Illinois and the detachment in Madison.
"Having that previous deployment experience by so many in the unit truly was a great benefit," Venske said. "That really got us started on the right foot with the right attitude."
"Our unit collectively has a great deal of deployment experience, either to Iraq or Afghanistan," said Sgt. Gretel Sharpee, assistant editor/page designer for the Wire, Guantanamo's finest news source. "Regardless of experience, every member has something valuable to offer to the unit and the JTF."
In spring 2007, the 139th was moved entirely to Illinois and Wisconsin gained the 112th MPAD. The unit quickly started recruiting to fill their new openings and began training for deployment. The Wisconsin PA specialists mobilized at Ft. Lewis, Wash., to prepare for their tour in Guantanamo.
"The evaluators at the mobilization station had nothing but positive remarks on the unit's abilities, and I feel one hundred percent confident of their journalistic, photographic and video talents," Morehouse said.
The 112th is looking forward to the challenges of the next year and the many opportunities for success. They're also looking forward to taking advantage of the wide variety of Morale, Welfare and Recreation opportunities made available.
"I'd really like to get scuba certified as soon as I can," said Pfc. Eric Liesse, a staff writer for the Wire. "I'm also looking forward to enjoying the beaches and the round-the-clock weather."
"This will be a good year for all," Morehouse said.
For his part, the commander of the outgoing 241st MPAD, Lt. Col. Edward M. Bush, said this past year has surpassed his expectations.
"As a Public Affairs Officer, I can't imagine a more challenging environment," Bush said. "As a soldier, it has been an amazing experience. I will never forget the men and women I have met here and served alongside. As a Commander, I am so very proud of what we were able to accomplish during our time here.
"I say goodbye to Gitmo with mixed emotions," he continued. "Certainly, this last year will be a lasting memory for me."
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2008 13:43 |
| Story ID: | 18694 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 326 |
| Downloads: | 216 |
This work, 112th MPAD Storms the Beach, by SSG Scott Griffin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
