MSAS air advisors complete military engagement in Honduras

by Staff Sgt. Brittney Daly
612th Air Base Squadron

9/10/2014 - SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras -- The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, California, deployed a mobile training team here to provide instruction to the Honduran Air Force and Navy, July 11-27.

The training helped the Honduran military operate jointly during counter-narcotic missions, specifically utilizing maritime capabilities. The MTT supported two separate seminars; aircraft maintenance and radio communications.

According to Lt. Col. Katherine Callaghan, 571st MSAS director of operations, the goal of this mission was to "provide professional air advisors to the geographic combatant commander and to execute building partner capacity in support of mutual objectives while building partnership, creating stability and increased access with our partner nations."

The MSAS team provided detailed instruction on radios operations and facilitated discussions between the Honduran military. This provided a unique opportunity for cross talks between the Honduran Navy and Air Force who typically do not have interaction between the services. Additionally, the 612th Operations Support Flight supported the MTT by providing a training frequency from air traffic control allowing them to practice the techniques that they had learned during classroom instructions.

Throughout the year, the 571 MSAS supports the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility by furthering mission objectives and building enduring relationships with key countries. Specifically for Honduras, "we are trying to prevent drugs from making it into the United States," said Tech. Sgt. Gerson Henriquez, 571 MSAS air advisor.

At the end of the training, 30 Honduran students were awarded a certificate for the training they accomplished. The MSAS team is scheduled to return next year to build on the capabilities that were provided during this engagement.