Joint Task Force Guantanamo

Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) is one of the U.S. military units based at the United States Navy base located at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba on the southeastern end of island. Since around 2002 the unit has come to world attention as the operators of Camp X-Ray and its successors Camp Delta, Camp V, and Camp Echo where there are detained prisoners captured in the war in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The unit is currently under the command of Rear Admiral David M. Thomas.

The status of these detainees is hotly disputed. The administration of US president George W. Bush calls them enemy combatants, as their status was not recognized under the Geneva Conventions (due to not being affiliated with any government, being alleged members of Al Qaida or groups affiliated with them). On June 29, 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that they had the minimal protection of .

Other partiesWho|date=January 2008 insist that the detainees be granted full prisoner of war rights and privileges listed in the Geneva Convention.

Living quarters

Enlisted personnel live in prefabicated quarters, similar to shipping containers.cite news
url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=25798
title=Guantanamo Troops Deployed in Unusual Surroundings
publisher=American Forces Press Service
author=Kathleen T. Rhem
date=February 25, 2005
accessdate=2008-01-25
quote=Living conditions vary considerably within the JTF. Enlisted servicemembers generally live in prefabricated individual buildings, which they call "houses" with a touch of cynicism. The shipping-container-like quarters each house four to six servicemembers. The troops typically divide the space as evenly as possible and then partition "rooms" by hanging blankets and shower curtains.] Each prefab unit houses four to six personnel. Each prefab unit ships with a toilet and sink, but no internal partitions. Occupants are allowed to erect curtains to make temporary partitions, for privacy. Occupants share communal showers, shared between prefab quarters.

Officers and senior non-commissioned officers typically share cottages left over from family residences that were constructed when the base had a larger permanent population.cite news
url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=25798
title=Guantanamo Troops Deployed in Unusual Surroundings
publisher=American Forces Press Service
author=Kathleen T. Rhem
date=February 25, 2005
accessdate=2008-01-25
quote=Senior enlisted members and officers generally live in converted Navy family housing left over from when the base housed a larger population of permanent- party personnel. For instance, one two-bedroom apartment might be assigned to four junior officers.] cite news
url=http://www.jag.navy.mil/JAGMAG/Winter_%20IA%20Life%20at%20Guantanamo%20Bay.pdf
title=IA: Life at Guantanamo Bay
page=
pages=
publisher=Jag Mag
author=Commander Daniel Jones
date=Winter 2007
accessdate=2008-02-15
quote=Housing is also an interesting topic here. Get used to a loss of privacy and the idea of having a roommate, several in fact. Just hearken back to your childhood and/or college days when you shared everything, labeled your food with your initials, and waited in line to use the bathroom.] Four occupants will share a two bedroom cottage.

According to Commander Daniel Jones, JTF-GTMO's Staff Judge Advocate, JTF-GTMO staff: :

See also

*Unlawful combatant
*Camp X-Ray
*Honor Bound to Defend Freedom
*Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

References