621st CRW conducts C-208B ops at JBMDL

Published June 30, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Devin Rumbaugh
621st Contingency Response Wing

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --

The 621st Contingency Response Wing is home to four unique mission sets, one of which is Air Advising under the 621st Air Mobility Advisory Group (AMAG). Recently, after showcasing the aircraft at the JBMDL Power in the Pines airshow, the 621 AMAG Commander and pilots from the 818 Mobility Support Advisory Squadron (MSAS) conducted C-208B Grand Caravan flight training operations at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, for the first time May 19-23, 2025.

Airplane in flight — A Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan flown by U.S. Air Force Maj. Phillip Savitsky, 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron flying operations flight commander, conducts an observation pass over a landing zone at Solberg Airport, New Jersey, May 20, 2025. The C-208B was contracted through U.S. Air Education and Training Command as the U.S. Air Force does not own or operate any C-208Bs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin M. Rumbaugh)

The 818th MSAS and their sister squadron, the 571st MSAS at Travis Air Force Base, CA, are the Air Force’s only air mobility focused Air Advisor squadrons. While each squadron has historically been geographically aligned, both now operate globally to train, advise, assist, assess, accompany and equip partner nations advancing their capabilities and capacity in support of Combatant Command Objectives. Pursuant to those objectives, both MSAS units are capable of conducting flying operations in the Cessna C-208B, a single engine turboprop aircraft, known for being reliable, versatile, and economical. The Department of Defense has used the platform for global train and equip building partner capacity efforts, directly tying into the MSAS mission.

Airmen talk in group — Members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing discuss the mission plan for a C-208B Grand Caravan flight at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., May 19, 2025. This marked the first time a C-208B had been flown to JBMDL for 621 CRW pilots to maintain their currencies on the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin M. Rumbaugh)

MSAS squadrons conduct partner nation C-208B training on air mobility, air-ground integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, airdrop, and casualty evacuation. The training also allows for additional cross-training for maintenance personnel, communications personnel, base operations, and operational support.

While the U.S. Air Force does not own or operate C-208Bs, there are 11 qualified instructor pilots assigned to the MSASs. They receive their training through the U.S. Air Force Air Education Training Command and conduct currency flights on a bi-monthly basis at locations outside of JBMDL. This training event marked the first time a C-208B had been flown to JBMDL for 818th MSAS pilots and the 621st AMAG commander to train and maintain their currencies on the platform.

Airman prepares to land plane — U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Rowland, 818th MSAS director of operations, prepares to land a C-208B Grand Caravan flight at Monmouth Executive Airport, N.J., May 21, 2025. Air advisors assigned to the 621st CRW earn certifications as instructor pilots to train partner militaries operating the C-208B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin M. Rumbaugh)

The story of U.S. Air Force flight and training operations with the C-208B started in 2011. Mobility support advisory squadrons were initially designed to advise in tandem with units that owned and operated C-208Bs. While the creation of C-208B flying units never came to fruition, demand for expertise in the light mobility aircraft remained. Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs and U.S. Africa Command requirements drove the first MSAS pilot and combat systems officers to become C-208B qualified in June 2017.

Following the initial batch of Caravan pilots, the MSAS flying program continued to develop with observation flights taking place in Chad in December 2018, followed by mobile training teams with MSAS instructor pilots flying Chadian C-208Bs in July 2019.

Airman works on airplane — U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Rowland, 818th MSAS director of operations, conducts pre-flight checks on a C-208B Grand Caravan flight at Monmouth Executive Airport, N.J., May 21, 2025. Air advisors assigned to the 621st CRW earn certifications as instructor pilots to train partner militaries operating the C-208B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Devin M. Rumbaugh)

Since the first flights with the Chadian Air Force, the 818th and 571st MSAS’s Air Advisors have accomplished flying missions with partner militaries in Chad, Belize, and Paraguay, with plans to engage with Djibouti, Mauritania, and Rwanda. Most recently, the 571 MSAS pilots have conducted training in Belize and Paraguay focused on ISR and AGI to counter narcotics and trafficking of personnel, aligning with the POTUS Southern Border operations. Adjacently, the 818th MSAS conducted ISR and AGI training in Chad to advance the counter insurgency operations in the Sahel. Continued engagement from the Air Advisors allows for preservation of the development of partner capabilities, while reducing the capability gaps in training, all while increasing the partner’s capacity to support mutual security challenges around the globe.