Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA), Guantanamo Bay and Company L, Marine Support Battalion held a joint decommissioning ceremony on top of John Paul Jones Hill March 16, 2000.
LCDR Daniel L. Currie III, commanding officer of NSGA, and Capt Charles M. Cromwell presided over the ceremony.
“On this day, we gather not with a tear in our eyes but rather with a great moment of pride and hope for the future,” said GTMO Chaplain LCDR Timothy Koester during the ceremony.
Commander Naval Security Group Command RADM H. Winsor Whiton and Marine Support Battalion Commanding Officer LTCOL Norman C. Davis were the guest speakers.
“Today we celebrate the proud service of our Sailors and Marines who have been the heart and soul of NSGA Guantanamo for almost 34 years of dedicated, superior cryptologic support for the United States of America,” said Whiton.
NSGA Guantanamo Bay traces its roots back to 1943 when Communications Security (COMSEC-204) was established on Radio Range and was manned by Sailors. Some years later, a separate Special Operations Unit, consisting of only Marines, was formed on Radio Range.
In 1961, Sailors were assigned to the Special Operations Unit and the Marines were phased out. This unit later relocated to its current facility on John Paul Jones Hill. On September 16, 1966, the unit was officially designated as Naval Security Group Activity Guantanamo Bay. From 1966 through 1970, the site was manned exclusively by Sailors. In November 1970, Sub-unit One, Company L, Marine Support Battalion was established. In early 1971, the Company L guide on officially arrived in GTMO from Phu Bai, Republic of Vietnam. In 1973, Marines replaced all Navy personnel and the manning remained that way until 1980 when Navy billets were once again established. NSGA Guantanamo Bay has the distinction of being the only Naval Security Group Activity to have been commanded by both Navy and Marine Corps officers.
The NSGA/Company L team would like to thank the Guantanamo Bay community for their support through the years. You have made our time here very enjoyable and enabled us to succeed and efficiently perform our mission.
By CTMCS(AW) Kent Beach (NSGA Senior Enlisted Advisor)
Editor’s Note: JO3 Scott New contributed to this report.
Source: nsgtmo.navy.mil (no longer valid URL)
16 March 2022 at 10:29
I have some problem with the above history, since I served at Radio Range 1958-1960 as a CT/R and was there when the first Marines arrived.
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17 March 2022 at 19:44
Nice memory. Stationed NSGA GTMO 70-71 and 79-80. Photo of site on JPJ is NOT it. Cinder block building about 2000 sq ft with fence. I was the last PCS Navy lingy to leave in July 71 and the first to return in Jan 79. USMC failed to put enough linguists through language school.
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9 March 2024 at 04:41
You’re right Anonymous. Not JPJ Hill at all….not even a hill. Tried to find the site you remember on Google recently, but no luck. Would love to go back for visit.
Was there 4/69 to 4/70 so we may have crossed paths. At the time I was a CTM3….Jim Stuart.
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19 March 2022 at 04:19
See above anonymous comment
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29 August 2022 at 18:41
Stationed at NSGA GTMO ’90-92 – lots of fond memories!
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11 November 2022 at 09:52
In Sept 1966, when the site was renamed, I submitted designs for a new logo in a contest. I won. At the Spooks Reunion in 2019 at Corry Field I donated my copy of the plaque to the museum.
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13 January 2023 at 08:41
1990-1991 Lcpl RAKnox , intercepted msg from Haitians
“HOTEL FRANCIA” during the coup
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8 August 2023 at 09:21
Michael Balash
I was stationed at gitmo naval
station up on the hill in 1967
As a cto operator. I had a good time
going to the surrounding islands
and drinking beer at the enlisted
club. I miss all my good friends
that where stationed with me.🍺🍺
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12 August 2023 at 23:41
Had the pleasure of serving here about July 67 to June 68. Loved driving the duce and 1/2 up the hill on shift change. Trick HATED it when I drove down. Much to fast, but you had to have some excitement, no? Had my friend Wayneson (did not get that name till TORRI) with me here and at Torii. He’s gone now but I’ll never forget that huge WVA man.
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9 March 2024 at 04:38
Hi Mate,
I was a CTM stationed here from 4/69 to 4/70 right out of C school as my 1st duty station, and I also drove that truck up and down the hill. Remember the crabs on the road during certain times of year (or were they frogs?)
Spent too much time at the Bay Hill EM Club, so lots of memories are buried. For isolated duty, it wasn’t bad.
Jim Stuart CTM3
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22 November 2023 at 20:02
Jim Hansen- I was TAD from 2nd Radio Battalion from September 6th to December 7th 1971. Left a stripe and $75.00 there and learn the lesson of “arbitrary and capricious”. Was with Ed Kennington. Had a great time “fishing” with 2nd Battalion 8th Marines 2 1/2 horse wooden boats out in the bay.
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