Mechanics at sea

Photo By Cpl. Justin Wheeler | Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyle Thompson, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Walker and Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Dyer, all deployed to Maritime Safety and Security Team 91103 in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, drop a boat into the waters of Guantanamo Bay, Feb. 22. MSST 91103 is deployed here to perform maritime anti-terrorism and force protection duties for JTF Guantanamo. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

02.26.2010

Story by Sgt. Derrol Fulghum 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

Without planes, the Air Force would be a land force. Likewise, without boats, the Coast Guard would be a shore-bound organization.

That's why it's imperative to have a strong team of able mechanics to keep the boats in perfect working order for the Maritime Safety and Security Team 91103. The Los Angeles-based unit is deployed here to perform maritime antiterrorism and force protection duties for Joint Task Force Guantanamo. As part of the JTF mission, members of the Coast Guard work to keep Guantanamo Bay safe and secure, and have been doing so since 2002.

To perform that mission, highly trained mechanics pull together to keep every water craft in tip-top condition.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Roxana Guerrero is one of those mechanics who plays an essential role in the MSST mission.

"I believe everyone is here for a reason," said Guerrero. "No matter how small the job seems, it all fits together."

Guerrero spends eight to 12 hours a day working on engines. Not just fixing the broken ones, but tuning up the working ones as part of a service check routine before any craft heads out to water.

"If we don't do our job, the safety of the base could be at stake," she said.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class John Frangullie said the mission in Guantanamo Bay keeps him and his fellow mechanics very busy.

"I don't mind it, though," said Frangullie. "Staying busy helps me keep my mind off being so far away from home." Frangullie has decided to take the time while he's here to learn as much as he can about different motors and boat systems, and to get into shape.

Coast Guard Lt. Bryan Burkhalter, MSST's executive officer, is happy with the performance of his Guardians.

"I appreciate the hard work our [Guardians] put in every day," said Burkhalter. "They're out there on the boats and turning wrenches. I'm proud of them."

Burkhalter said he loves being deployed and helping everyone put their training to use in an operational environment.

"You know, we're out there on the water every day, slaying the dragon," he said. "We feel useful."

• Date Taken: 02.26.2010
• Date Posted: 03.04.2010 11:51
• Story ID: 46152
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU