571st MSAS continues to build partnerships

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Robert Hicks
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron has completed training with the Peruvian Air Force at Las Palmas and Callao Air Bases, Peru, from Sept. 7-25.

Fourteen air advisors conducted training on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, aircraft maintenance, combat search and rescue, military free fall, and a number of other courses to approximately 75 Peruvian airmen.

 The MSAS mobile training team also conducted an airfield management and air traffic control assessment for potential future training opportunities.

“Working with the Peruvian Air Force was a success, their professionalism and safety practices are consistently increasing,” said Maj. Daniel Wilcox, 571st MSAS mission commander. “One area in particular is their hyperspectral imaging system. They have had the hardware for a long time, but are now starting to use it with the training we provide. The system is operational, and they have been gathering and starting to assess and process intelligence data that will eventually help identify illegal coca cultivation.”

 During the free fall course between the Peruvian special operations group and the 571st MSAS survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist identified unsafe parachute packing techniques that could result in injury. 

 Throughout the team’s time in Peru they helped service members accomplish classroom instruction, provided hands-on activities and also participated in friendly soccer matches to help build interpersonal relationships.

 “A lot of what we do is centered on not just building up partner nation’s capacity, but building partnerships,” Wilcox said. “That’s the very first thing we do and it’s the one constant regardless of what we are doing. We want to make sure we build interpersonal relationships so when we point out an issue it’s from a friend and someone they trust.”

 The 571st MSAS visits Peru two times a year and bases the engagements on U.S. Southern Command, Air Forces Southern, the U.S. Embassy in Peru and the unit’s mission priorities; training plans are built and tailored to meet everyone’s needs.

 "Our teams, while working at the tactical level, are truly achieving strategic results for our country,” said Lt. Col. Nathan Flint, 571st MSAS commander. “Not many squadrons in the Air Force are really impacting our national strategy and influencing partners on the scale of our MSAS. I'm really proud of this team in Peru, and of all of our teams' contributions."

The 571st MSAS is charged with strengthening partner nation’s capabilities and the squadron trains, advises and assists partner nations in developing airpower capabilities. The unit includes Spanish-speaking Airmen and is aligned with the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.