Senior Enlisted Receive New Housing Opportunity

Photo By Staff Sgt. Megan Leuck | Construction of the Bay Hill Senior Enlisted Housing is underway and is expected to be finished the week of July 21. The Bay Hill housing project is reserved for Joint Task Force senior enlisted; however, they won't be allowed to move in for another couple weeks after completion of the project scheduled for the end of this month. (Photo taken July 17, 2008) JTF Guantanamo conducts safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants. The JTF conducts interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence in support of the Global War on Terror and supports law enforcement and war crimes investigations. JTF Guantanamo is committed to the safety and security of American service members and civilians working inside its detention facilities.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

07.18.2008

Story by Spc. Megan Leuck 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Joint Task Force Guantanamo senior non-commissioned officers are looking forward to the date when the Bay Hill Senior Enlisted Housing project will be completed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This means that they will be able to move into a spacious 462-square-foot trailer that they can call their very own.

Currently, construction continues on Bay Hill to create a new housing area that will consist of 40 new units.

Due to Bay Hill being a previous housing area where some facilities and infrastructures were already in place and the prime geographical location, JTF engineers and the facilities engineering acquisition division felt this would be the best area for this project.

"It was a perfect fit," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Jason Marino, JTF Engineering NCO in-charge. "The Navy Exchange and Gold Hill Galley are in easy walking distance and the cleaners is right down the street."

The issue of additional living space arose as more JTF personnel continued to deploy to Guantanamo Bay filling the Tierra Kay apartments and Camp America.

"Windward Loop was filled up with senior enlisted and officers," said Marino. "We had senior enlisted that were in TK and Cuzco, so we needed more [housing]."

While one of the most noticeable differences are the larger dimensions of the trailer, 462 square feet as compared to the roughly 290-square-foot trailer in Cuzco, there is, in fact, much more that makes these homes a hot commodity. When a resident walks into their trailer they will see a washer and dryer of their very own. To the right of the entry way will be their bedroom and bathroom area and to the left will be the living/dining/kitchen area.

According to Marino, residents can expect the same rules and regulations as those in Cuzco and TK. Prime Projects International will continue to provide any maintenance on appliance problems and getting a room unlocked.

"That's one of the greatest things," said Marino. "To have someone on call, and there on site, so you don't have to wait."

The original completion date for this project was July 21. However, with the ground being harder than expected and having to extract an in-ground pool, it has taken a bit longer to put all the utilities in. Project managers have decided to push the expected completion date to the 24th of this month.

"It was going to be a couple weeks before people would move in even if it was the 21st," said Marino. "I don't think it's going to cause any inconvenience or delays of folks moving in."

• Date Taken: 07.18.2008
• Date Posted: 07.21.2008 10:55
• Story ID: 21690
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU