818th MSAS and Mauritanian Air Force Complete Capstone Engagement Published Feb. 4, 2026 By 621 CRW Public Affairs 621st Contingency Response wing JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Members of the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron (MSAS) completed a mission from Jan. 9-24 to advise the Mauritanian Air Force on its Cessna 208 Caravan program, part of an engagement funded by the U.S. Department of State. The visit was the culmination of a multi-year project to improve maintenance and logistics practices, marking the squadron's first engagement in two years. Tech. Sgt. Vance Senical, the lead logistics trainer, said the multi-year effort was most successful in logistics. "Every process that was taught, shown, and even worked on together was actively being utilized and was being further developed during each mission," Senical said. "The logistics mission is a success story in Mauritania.” This willingness to learn was also a theme in the maintenance training, led by Tech. Sgt. Syed Ali. "I was most impressed with their willingness to learn and succeed despite their limited resources," Ali said. "It shows that they are driven from within and will adapt regardless of their circumstances." Maintaining global partnerships is a core part of the 818th MSAS mission, allowing the U.S. to share security responsibilities with allies. For Mauritania, operational Cessna Caravans are vital for their Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. These missions help counter terrorism, stop illegal activities, and protect natural resources. In addition to enabling regional stability, Mauritania serves as a key transit point for U.S. Air Force aircraft, such as the C-130 and C-17. The 818th MSAS plans to return to Mauritania later this year to begin the next phase of capability development. Air Advisors in Mauritania Members of the U.S. Air Force's 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron and the Mauritanian Air Force pose for a photo in front of a Cessna 208 Caravan following a joint maintenance training engagement. U.S. Air Force Air Advisors are specially trained to assess, train, advise, assist, and equip partner nation militaries and support Department of State objectives throughout the world. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Members of the U.S. Air Force's 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron and the Mauritanian Air Force pose for a photo in front of a Cessna 208 Caravan following a joint maintenance training engagement. U.S. Air Force Air Advisors are specially trained to assess, train, advise, assist, and equip partner nation militaries and support Department of State objectives throughout the world. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)