Media

Welcome to JTF Guantanamo!

Members of the media who wish to travel to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to observe military commissions must coordinate travel through the Department of Defense (DoD), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (OASD-PA). The Office of Military Commissions (OMC) does not coordinate either group or individual media travel to Guantanamo Bay.

Media members may occasionally travel to Guantanamo Bay on flights arranged by OMC. On those occasions, the media is escorted by personnel from OASD-PA; media members are also required to reimburse DoD for the cost of the flight.

Media members should check with OASD-PA if they have any questions regarding equipment they intend to bring to Guantanamo Bay. You may reach OASD-PA at +1 (703) 697-5131. As a general rule, there is sufficient cargo space to accommodate large pieces of equipment, but media members should inquire prior to travel.

Media members traveling to Guantanamo Bay during military commissions hearings are lodged in the tent city at Camp Justice, adjacent to the Media Center.

The Media Ground Rules for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO), provide more information.

For more information on the Media Operations Center, click here.

To see photos of the living arrangements, click here.

For virtual tour of the Media Operations Center high band width and low band width.

For virtual tour of Courtroom 2 Courtroom Tour.

Joint Task Force Guantanamo

Public Affairs Office

Media Relations

Phone: 001-559-3383

DSN: 660-3383

Transportation

Media Arrival – JTF GTMO Public Affairs team members will greet press at the air terminal. Media will load all luggage and equipment into designated luggage vehicles.

Each luggage vehicle will be assigned a number, identifiable by a placard with the corresponding color. Each media representative will be provided a card with the color to assist in knowing which vehicle has their luggage.

On the back of each card, the number of luggage will be annotated. Upon arriving at the Media Operations Center (MOC)/Media tents, media will turn in their card coordinating with the luggage vehicle/truck to receive their luggage.

The NEX will have pre-packaged Subway sandwiches, chips and drinks for sale while media await badges at Leeward air terminal.

Badging Process – Media will receive their badges on the 2nd floor of the air terminal. An escort will guide the media to the badging office. Traveling press are required to show their passport in order to receive their JTF Media Commissions Badge. The name on the passport must match the name submitted to OSD PA.

Living Arrangements

Lodging:

Air conditioned tents are available for all visiting media. Each tent holds six twin-sized beds, dressers, closets, a mini-fridge and a microwave.

Restrooms:

Male and female latrine tents are also available in Camp Justice. These tents have running water, 12 flushing toilets and four hand washing stations. Male and female shower tents are located next to the lartine tents. These tents have 12 shower stalls and four vanities with mirrors.

Shower Tent located the across street from Latrines and Berthing Tents.

Laundry:

Next to the shower tents is the laundry tent. This tent contains 10 washing machines and 20 dryers.

Recreation:

A recreational tent is also available. This tent houses two larger fridges, and several amenities common in any den: television, game tables, etc...

Meals

The NEX will have pre-packaged Subway sandwiches, chips and drinks for sale while media await badges on the day of arrival on the Leeward side.

The Navy Exchange (NEX) Mobile Canteen will be available for use 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during Military Commissions. The media have the option of purchasing a variety of sandwiches, salads, snacks, coffee and drinks.

Media have the option of ordering food to be delivered to the Media Center. Both Pizza Hut (77995) and Subway (77099) offer delivery services.

Options for meals:


Breakfast: Gold Hill Galley McDonald’s Subway Caribbean Café	Lunch: Gold Hill Galley McDonald’s Taco Bell Kentucky Fried Chicken A&W Pizza Hut	Dinner: Bayview Windjammer O’Kelly’s Jerk House Cuban Club

Media Operations Center

In 2011, three rooms were renovated and two buildings were constructed in the Media Operations Center, Joint Task Force, Guantanamo Bay, to accommodate visiting press covering military commissions.

Due to limited space in the courtroom viewing gallery, the MOC rooms offer live court room feeds of the proceedings. Complete with individual work stations, telephones and wired internet connections, the MOC features the necessities required for media to complete and publish stories. To further support broadcast outlets, there is a sound booth for voice over tasks.

The MOC also contains a kitchenette complete with a microwave and plenty of cabinet space to accommodate any food and beverages that media may want to store.