Guantanamo’s 9/11 hearing – 12 April 2014 (GTMO DAY 1) (Jeff Meding)

I woke up on time and did not miss my flight! I woke up at 4:45 AM and a cab got me at 5:45 AM. I arrived at AAFB at 6 AM and checked in. I still can’t believe I’m going to GTMO! Speaking of which, I just saw Brig. Gen. Mark Martins, Chief Prosecutor for the MC. I think the disbelief will wear off once I’m there. I am looking forward to this trip and the lasting memories I’m sure it will create. I arrived safely at GTMO at around 2 PM EDT and the experience so far has been great! We took a ferry ride from the airport to Camp Justice. The view was incredible and it was crazy to think that Cuba was just a few miles away. Once we arrived at Camp Justice, we did a bunch of procedural duties. We got our Security Badges in order to enter the court room and toured the base real quick. We went to the Navy Exchange Commissary, also called the “NEX” in order to get some supplies for the week. After the NEX, we went to a BBQ. The Defense team for Ammar al-Baluchi had us over for a cookout and everyone was very nice. I spoke with Lt. Col. Sterling Thomas, lead counsel for Ammar al Baluchi, for awhile and he was awesome. He was a really nice guy and easy to talk to. He provided information on some of the difficulties he has had with trying to fully defend his client. Some of these issues include: atty-client privilege information, the prosecutions non-disclosure of evidence and the Govt placing “smoke detectors” in the rooms where clients and attorneys meet.

Still can’t believe I am here, it is somewhat surreal in a way.

Please see below selected photos from Day 1. The internet is only dial-up speed, so it takes FOREVER to upload photos. Once I am back in the US, I will post the rest of the photos from each day.