Major James “Doc” Crabtree has been selected to lead the 4th Public Affairs Detachment (Guantanamo Forward) during a one-year tour of duty at the controversial detention facility in Cuba.

The 4th PAD is an ad hoc U.S. Army unit specially organized for this mission, taking U.S.

Army Soldiers from Fort Bragg and Fort Hood in order to make up its authorized compliment. The 10th Public Affairs Operations Center, where Major Crabtree was assigned as the Executive Officer, is providing most of the leaders for the unit.

During its deployment the 4th will be an element of Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) and will be responsible for media matters stemming from public interest in the Camp Delta detention facility, where suspected terrorists have been held for over six years.

Major James Crabtree has previously served in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Desert Fox and Iraqi Freedom. He also served as a Multinational Force Peacekeeper in 2007 in the Sinai. His parents and grandparents reside in Ironton.