Peeling back the layers of the Joint Task Force Southern Guard medical support system

Story by Sgt. 1st Class ShaTyra Reed-Cox

Joint Task Force Southern Guard

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – A strong military operation relies on layers of support, each one reinforcing the next to keep the mission standing.

The Joint Task Force Southern Guard (JTF-SG) medical team serves as the reinforced foundation, ensuring that service members remain fit for duty and that illegal aliens (IAs) temporarily held at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-led migrant operations center receive essential care. It’s a system of interconnected elements, each serving a unique purpose ensuring that no medical need on Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB), Cuba, goes unmet.

“The JTF-SG surgeon cell coordinates all medical operations,” Jeffrey Bridges, the JTF-SG medical plans and operations specialist, explained. “Role I, Role II, and medical logistics provide constant updates, facilitating efficient patient flow and resource use. This integrated approach ensures all medical needs are met.”

At the core of medical operations is the JTF-SG surgeon cell, responsible for overseeing all medical assets within the task force.

“We coordinate all medical operations, ensuring seamless communication and resource allocation between medical units,” Bridges continued.

In addition to managing daily healthcare operations, the surgeon cell also serves as the advisory team for medical policy, providing leadership with guidance on troop medical readiness, emergency response capabilities, and public health concerns.

JTF-SG Role I, or Blue Forces (BLUFOR) Aid Station, serves as the first line of defense for routine sick call services, primary medical treatment, and preventive health care.

Primarily made up of Army medics and physicians assistants, as well as corpsmen with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, this facility ensures that service members receive timely medical attention for minor illnesses, injuries, and other health concerns before they become mission-impacting issues.

“Our mission is to provide care and transport to higher levels of treatment for BLUFOR personnel,” said Sgt. Esai Franco, JTF-SG BLUFOR Aid Station medic. “Our priority is keeping them healthy. We make sure they have the information they need to stay medically ready, whether it’s knowing where the nearest facility is or understanding the process for medical evacuations.”

In addition to treating JTF-SG personnel, Role I teams also support medical screenings for IAs, ensuring that those temporarily held in the DHS-led migrant operations center receive basic medical care and evaluations.

“We conduct occupational health screenings on every IA upon their arrival to NSGB, daily sick call operations to address and manage both acute and chronic ailments and perform fit-to-fly physical examinations for every IA prior to their transfer from NSGB,” Sgt. Michaela Robertson, BLUFOR Aid Station NCOIC explained. “Fit-to-fly physicals ensure that each patient has a 14-day supply of their medications and are in good health preceding their departure from GTMO.”

The 36th Medical Company Area Support (MCAS) operates the Role II facility, the primary emergency and trauma care center for JTF-SG. Designed to handle disease non-battle injuries, nonsurgical trauma, and provide ancillary support, the Role II facility serves as the first stop for life-threatening injuries or serious medical conditions requiring immediate stabilization. It also maintains evacuation capabilities, ensuring patients receive higher-level care when needed.

“Our personnel includes provider support such as physicians, physician assistants, a dentist, and a behavioral health officer,” said Sgt. 1st Class Renee Seymore, the 36th MCAS treatment platoon sergeant. “We also have medical support, including paramedics, EMT-B medics, a nurse, and ancillary staff like a lab technician, dental technician, radiological technician, and patient administration technician.”

Beyond treating JTF-SG personnel, the Role II facility plays a critical role in supporting operations at Camp VI, where a dedicated medical team, comprised of a physician and medics, provides on-site care for detainees and personnel assigned to the facility.

Ensuring that the Role II facility functions efficiently around the clock requires a high level of coordination and oversight. That responsibility falls on Seymore, who ensures the facility can sustain continuous operations.

“As the treatment platoon sergeant, I orchestrate personnel assignments, logistics, and equipment requests to keep Role II running in accordance with the Army Health System’s echelon of care,” Seymore said. “At the same time, I ensure the health, morale, and welfare of the Soldiers within our platoon, because without them, none of this would be possible.”

No medical facility can function without proper supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals. That’s where Bermorys “Moe” Matos, the JTF-SG medical logistician, comes in.

As the Single Integrated Medical Logistics Manager (SIMLM), Matos coordinates with Army, Air Force, Navy, DHS, and Defense Logistics Agency to ensure that every aspect of medical support remains well-stocked and operational.

“It is crucial that I understand the complexity of the mission, the medically-supported population , and the services involved in the mission in order to ensure we identify the key resources that will enable the establishment of the medical supply chain in support of key medical logistics (MEDLOG) functions,” said Matos.

Managing everything from blood supply and pharmaceuticals to medical maintenance and regulated waste disposal, Matos ensures that both Role I and Role II facilities operate at full capacity.

“We must be able to quickly identify these key MEDLOG support elements and synchronize them to ensure a fast, agile, and adaptable supply chain that will provide the required medical material and equipment that will enable our medical organizations to provide the highest medical care to those we serve.”

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Hospital: A Critical Support Partner
Despite JTF-SG’s self-sufficient medical structure, there are some cases where additional support is required. The NSGB Hospital serves as a key partner, providing specialty care, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, and long-term treatment for complex cases.

“They provide higher-level care and expertise, acting as a safety net for the operation and offering specialized support, particularly given their understanding of Guantanamo Bay,” said Bridges. “This integrated approach ensures all medical needs are met.”

Working in sync with JTF-SG medical assets, the hospital enhances overall medical readiness, ensuring that all personnel receive the highest level of care available.

From preventative care to emergency response, medical logistics to trauma stabilization, the layered medical system at JTF-SG ensures that no aspect of healthcare is overlooked. Each component plays a distinct role, working together to provide comprehensive, mission-ready medical support.

Bridges gives credit to the entire team – comprised of elements from the 44th Medical Brigade, 6th Medical Logistics Management Center, the Army Medical Logistics Command, the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, U.S. Transportation Command, the Defense Health Agency, DHS and FEMA – whose contributions of both personnel and resources during the early stages of JTF-SG operations streamlined medical logistics despite the challenges that come with such a complex, unique mission.

“The success of JTF-SG hinges on the seamless coordination and collaboration of numerous organizations, including interagency partners, within the medical enterprise,” Bridges concluded. “The enterprise’s unified effort directly enabled the rapid generation of capability and capacity required for this operation.”