The Department of Defense and the Office of Military Commissions (OMC) will allocate seats for news media aboard a military-chartered aircraft for travel from Joint Base Andrews (JBA) in Maryland to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) Cuba to cover military commission proceedings scheduled for United States v. Abd al Hadi al Iraqi, January 4 - 7, 2022.
Currently, the tentative flights will be available as follows:
- January 3 – Joint Base Andrews to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay
- January 8 – Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to Joint Base Andrews
Please note that the flight schedule, to include departure and arrival locations, is subject to change. Media desiring to view this hearing from NSGB must complete the registration form. All requests must be received no later than noon EST, Friday, November 19. Multiple requesters from the same organization must register separately via the form.
Due to a limited number of seats aboard the flight and limited accommodations at NSGB, selection is not guaranteed. All traveling media shall have printed proof of a negative polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 viral test within 72 hours prior to departing the national capital region. Additionally, on the day of the outbound flight, all media will be tested at JBA. A negative test result is required. Requests to travel by media who have tested positive for COVID 19 within the last 90 days will be processed in accordance with CDC and DoD guidelines.
Media who provide proof of being fully vaccinated will be allowed on the OMC charter flight. Media who are fully vaccinated (post 14-days from receiving COVID 19 vaccination) are not required to quarantine upon arrival at NSGB. Media who are not fully vaccinated may not view the hearing from NSGB. All media are subject to surveillance testing while on NSGB and will adhere to personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements directed by the NSGB Commanding Officer.
Additional viewing is available for media via Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) from a media work center at Fort George G. Meade, in Maryland. Regular COVID-19 mitigation protocols, such as mask wearing and social distancing may apply at all locations depending on local guidance and vaccination status, although media viewing from Fort Meade are not subject to COVID-19 testing or quarantine requirements.
Media desiring to view this hearing from Fort Meade must send their requests via email to osd.mc-alex.OMC.mbx.omc-pa@mail.mil with the following information (multiple requesters from the same organization must send separate emails):
Email Subject Line: Hadi 4-7 JAN 2022
- Individual's full name
- Individual's occupation/position
- Sponsoring organization (News Outlet)
- Contact information (cell phone and email)
NOTE 1: The primary purpose of travel to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is courtroom reporting. Tours of the detention facilities are not available during military commission proceedings. Requests for reporting on Guantanamo topics unrelated to the military commissions must be coordinated in advance through the respective Public Affairs Officers of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Southern Command, and/or NSGB.
NOTE 2: All media must ensure their passports and visas (foreign press) are up-to-date and eligible to enter and exit the United States.
Expeditionary Legal Complex – B-roll 2017
Expeditionary Legal Complex – Photos 2014
This is a shot from inside a courtroom, ELC, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Further information including the media ground rules can be viewed at the Office of Military Commissions website at https://www.mc.mil.