Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Master Sgt. Russ Asbel, right, 582nd Helicopter Group aircraft maintainer, inspects a main helicopter generator with mechanics from the Burkina Faso Air Force at Airbase 511 in Burkina Faso, Africa, April 10, 2019. Asbel augmented the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron during their building partner capacity engagement to Burkina Faso, Africa, April 5-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)818th MSAS, Burkinabé Partnership: Restoring Rotary Wing Capability
                        
                        
                        Master Sgt. Russ Asbel, right, 582nd Helicopter Group aircraft maintainer, inspects a main helicopter generator with mechanics from the Burkina Faso air force at Airbase 511 in Burkina Faso, Africa, April 10, 2019. Asbel augmented the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron during their building partner capacity engagement to Burkina Faso, April 5-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Air Advisors observe a hover check by the Burkina Faso Air Force at Airbase 511 in Burkina Faso, Africa, April 10, 2019. The 818 MSAS sent a seven member Rotary Wing Maintenance and Operations mobile training team to identify the cause of a significant maintenance issue that had grounded the Burkina Faso Air Force’s UH-1H helicopter fleet for nearly a year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)818th MSAS, Burkinabé Partnership: Restoring Rotary Wing Capability
                        
                        
                        Air advisors observe a hover check by the Burkina Faso air force at Airbase 511 in Burkina Faso, Africa, April 10, 2019. The 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron sent a seven-member rotary wing maintenance and operations mobile training team to identify the cause of a significant maintenance issue that had grounded the Burkina Faso air force’s UH-1H helicopter fleet for nearly a year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Advisors from the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron build partner capacity. They train, assist, and advise partner nations in developing air mobility platforms and processes, enabling nations to extend the reach of their governance and rapidly respond to contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)818th MSAS, Burkinabé Partnership: Restoring Rotary Wing Capability
                        
                        
                        Advisors from the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron build partner capacity. They train, assist and advise partner nations in developing air mobility platforms and processes, enabling nations to extend the reach of their governance and rapidly respond to contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Master Sgt. Todd Chandler, right, 40th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, leads a small group discussion focusing on aircrew in-flight responsibilities and post flight inspections with flight engineers and mechanics from the Burkina Faso Air Force at Airbase 511 in Burkina Faso, Africa, April 11, 2019.  Chandler augmented the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron during their building partner capacity engagement to Burkina Faso, Africa, April 5-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)818th MSAS, Burkinabé Partnership: Restoring Rotary Wing Capability
                        
                        
                        Master Sgt. Todd Chandler, right, 40th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, leads a group discussion focusing on aircrew in-flight responsibilities and post-flight inspections with flight engineers and mechanics from the Burkina Faso air force at Airbase 511 in Burkina Faso, Africa, April 11, 2019. Chandler augmented the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron during their building partner capacity engagement to Burkina Faso, April 5-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Members from the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron pose for a group photo at Airbase 511 in Burkina Faso, Africa, April 18, 2019. The 818th MSAS sent a seven member Rotary Wing Maintenance and Operations mobile training team to identify the cause of a significant maintenance issue that had grounded the Burkina Faso Air Force’s UH-1H helicopter fleet for nearly a year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)818th MSAS, Burkinabé Partnership: Restoring Rotary Wing Capability
                        
                        
                        Members from the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron pose for a group photo at Airbase 511 in Burkina Faso, Africa, April 18, 2019. The 818th MSAS sent a seven member Rotary Wing Maintenance and Operations mobile training team to identify the cause of a significant maintenance issue that had grounded the Burkina Faso Air Force’s UH-1H helicopter fleet for nearly a year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

818th MSAS, Burkinabé Partnership: Restoring Rotary Wing CapabilityPublished May 2, 2019
                    
                    By Maj. Stephen Nava and Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell
                    
                    
                    818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron
            **Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (AFNS) --**The 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron sent a rotary wing maintenance and operations mobile training team to Burkina Faso, Africa, April 5-20 to train and aid the partner nation in identifying the cause of significant mechanical issues impacting the Burkina Faso air force’s UH-1H helicopter fleet.
The 818th MSAS deployed to Base Aérienne 511 in Burkina Faso at the request of the Burkina Faso air force and the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou-Office of Security Cooperation to support grounded aircraft.
This 818th MSAS mission was a follow-on engagement from a September 2018 crew resource management MTT, in which the Burkina Faso air force highlighted their maintenance challenges with the helicopters. The UH-1H helicopters are a recent addition to the Burkina Faso air force fleet and will play an important role in counter-terror operations.
According to the U.S. Embassy’s security cooperation office, the Burkinabé defense forces are conducting land and air operations to neutralize jihadist threats, whose attacks have claimed nearly 300 lives since 2015. Burkina Faso has seen a dramatic spike in attacks in the north and eastern regions of the country bordering Mali and Niger over the past couple of years.
“Our goal heading into this mission was to build upon and continue to foster the long standing partnership with Burkina Faso by helping them to improve their air mobility capacity and combat regional threats,” said Master Sgt. Sarah Colwell, 818th MSAS security forces air adviser and team sergeant for the mission. “This engagement certainly enhanced interoperability and trust with the Burkina Faso air force.”
While in Burkina Faso the adviser team identified the cause of the fleet readiness challenges. The helicopter fleet had been grounded for nearly a year preventing the Burkina Faso air force from executing casualty evacuation missions.
Working on the aircraft with the Burkina Faso air force pilots and mechanics also provided an opportunity to build personal and professional relationships.
“I was impressed with the partner nations mechanical aptitude and their initiative to learn the UH-1H helicopter,” said Master Sgt. Russ Asbel, an 582nd Helicopter Group, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, UH-1H helicopter mechanic. “Determining a problem that had grounded both of their helicopters was extremely rewarding and really helped build trust which evolved into friendship over our two-week trip.”
The 818th MSAS team coordinated with the U.S. Embassy’s security cooperation office and developed a $1 million proposed list of parts and equipment to help the Burkina Faso air force restore their aircraft back to operational flying status and continue with preventative maintenance.
In addition to the maintenance work, the adviser team’s mission was to train and advise the Burkina Faso air force in rotary wing operations. The team provided instruction courses such as flight planning and systems operations, crew resource management and preventative maintenance.
“The significance of this mission and the outcome lies with Burkina Faso being strategically situated in a difficult location with many insurgent groups operating along the long borders with Mali and Niger,” said Lt. Col. Jared Cordell, 818th MSAS assistant director of operations. “The country is also a long-standing partner with the United States in the war on terror and continues to support ongoing counter-terror operations in the region.”
One of the Burkina Faso air force pilots, Capt. Aziz Compaore, explained how this training provided them with the necessary tools to expand their knowledge and displayed his gratitude for the efforts to the adviser team.
“Thank you to the trainers for spending two-weeks with us and sharing your experience with us to upgrade our knowledge,” Compaore said. “You have helped us to discover what’s wrong with our helicopters. Proof for us that we can work together and reach the same goal. Thank you for this training.”
During the mission, 16 partner nation personnel were trained and the team identified a clear plan to help restore the helicopters to flying status. The U.S. and Burkinabé teams shared knowledge and strategies for helicopter operations and maintenance to empower the partner nation’s capability to address regional threats.
The Burkinabé hosted a closing ceremony and said they are already planning a follow-on training event to continue progress and increase operations and maintenance proficiency for the next engagement in September 2019.
“Training events help to equip Burkina Faso with the tools to advance their ability to protect their citizens and prevent terrorist organizations from operating in their borders,” Cordell said. “Aviation has the unique ability to quickly project power, transport people and supplies, and deliver help when needed. It is essential that Burkina Faso has a professional and capable military aviation force; and the (818th) MSAS is supporting this endeavor.”FS 



Burkina Faso air force Air Base 



Africa 



JB Mcguire-Dix Lakehurst 



818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron 



818th MSAS 



partnership 



training 



alliances 



UH-1H helicopter 



AF 



mobile training team Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF, CSAF, CMSAF begin Indo-Pacific trip focused on ACE
                    
                    DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fightInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil