Photo By Sgt. Michael Baltz | Detention operations center escorts explain the process of transporting a detainee to...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba— In order to ensure safe, humane, legal and transparent care of the detainees in custody at Joint Task Force Guantanamo, troopers are assigned to escort detainees to medical appointments, lawyer appointments and commissions.
The Naval Expeditionary Guard Battalion conducts detainee escorts at JTF Guantanamo as part of the ongoing detention mission. They also escort contractors who come into the camps to do enhancement projects.
"My mission is to support detainee movements," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian, non-commissioned officer-in-charge for Detention Operation Center escorts. "We also escort contractors throughout the camps."
Most of the troopers who are escorts were guards in the camps for several months until earning the opportunity to become escorts.
"They normally work in the camps for a few months until they learn about the environment," said Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Glen Porter, senior enlisted advisor for the escorts. "They are then properly trained on how to be an escort."
The escorts are broken into teams, and a dispatcher assigns the team's task.
"When I come into the office, I lay out a plan for the day," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler, an escort dispatcher. "There are [many] detainee movements every day and it is imperative to make sure everyone is on time."
The escorts pick up the detainee at the camp, where he has already been informed of an appointment.
"We go pick up the detainee as a team, then safely transport him," Porter said.
The detainee has the right to refuse to be transported. They are never forced to attend an appointment of any sort.
"If they refuse to go, we cannot force them," Tyler said. "If it is an appointment that is important, someone will visit them at their location."
The escorts are also responsible for maintaining the flag program. This program supports trooper morale by affording the opportunity to have a flag flown over Camp Delta. After the flag is flown, the individual for whom the flag is flown receives an official certificate for the flag.
The troopers of the DOC escort program work hard and have daily struggles like many others who are deployed, but that doesn't change their focus on the mission.
"I think we are doing what needs to be done here," Tyler said in regards to the mission at JTF Guantanamo. "I am proud to be here during this historical period."
For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2009 10:25 |
| Story ID: | 33555 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 179 |
| Downloads: | 145 |
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