GUANTANAMO BAY: NOT AN EXILE

IMCO crews have nearly completed the first of four phases of contract work for Lakeshore/TolTest. Each phase of the project consists of essentially the same work package. IMCO crews are demolishing approximately 20 homes, each of which are round 2,400 square feet. After the homes are demolished IMCO’s scope of work is to grade a building pad for new homes to be built in close proximity of the old home. IMCO will also be replacing all of the utility services to each home.

Working on GTMO has some very specific challenges as well as unique opportunities:

• Base clearance takes approximately one month so we must plan way ahead for our work. 
• We are confined to the base and the only travel opportunity is to fly directly to Jamaica.
• Availability of materials is non-existent. If you don’t bring it with you, you learn how to get by without it, or it costs $2.00 per lb. to have things flown in. Barging supplies takes approximately one month.
• Our craft workers are primarily from Jamaica and we are very happy with their performance. It is an eyeopening experience for our people who have not worked with Third Country Nationals. They are very friendly and feel fortunate to have a job making $3.55 per hour.
• Travel is challenging and takes two long days; you fly in to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, spend the night and fly out on a charter flight that takes 3 hours to get to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Once you clear security you take a Military ferry to the Windward side of the base.
• Our crews are living in Military housing and eating at the Military chow halls. Our people have access to all things that the Military has, with the exception of special clearance into high security areas.
• All operations stop at 8:00 am and 6:00 pm when the National Anthem is played across the base. This is a very unique experience to get a glimpse of Military life (minus the dangers of war and battle). It has increased our sense of gratitude for the service men and women of our country and their sacrifice.
• IMCO has been able to buy equipment on base from KNIK Construction. This has really been a benefit and saved on shipping costs. We currently have a 330 excavator, 416 backhoe, D-5 dozer, roller, two pickups, three dump trucks and one lowboy trailer.

Kurt Rutgers and his crew did an outstanding job of getting IMCO’s 40-foot container well outfitted for the job. Having everything that you need is so very important when working in a remote location. Our team did a great job of preparing the container for just about any situation.

Frank Imhof traveled to GTMO in March. He said upon returning-

“I was very impressed with how well organized our operation was set up and progressing. Being prepared and getting everything in order is critical to performing work on base. Tony and our crew have a good working relationship and communications with TolTest, the General Contractor, as well as with Navy representatives.  It was great to have Jacquelyn Anderson there, not only as an IMCO employee, but she was also getting our guys out running and hiking after work and keeping them in shape.”

Tony and the Cuba crew would also like to thank the teams that have contributed personnel to help us get this new opportunity up and running.

Thank you to the GTMO team for your hard work and willingness to tackle new challenges.