TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Air Advisors from the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron (MSAS) recently completed a multi-week engagement with the Costa Rican Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea (SVA), strengthening the nation's aviation maintenance, flight safety, logistics, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and base defense capabilities under the U.S. Southern Command Theater Maintenance Partnership Initiative (TMPI) program.
Maintenance development remained the mission's central focus. MSAS maintenance and logistics advisors worked hands-on with SVA technicians to refine technical data usage, tool control procedures, hazardous material management, parts tracking, procurement processes, and equipment inspection practices. The team also collaborated with SVA leadership to improve coordination with contracted maintenance providers, ensuring the safe sustainment of Costa Rica's fixed- and rotary-wing fleets.
In parallel, MSAS flight safety instructors delivered training on U.S. Air Force safety culture, risk management, and standardized crew briefing practices. Together with air advisors, SVA pilots developed a new operational risk management (ORM) worksheet tailored for their daily mission profile. SVA pilot crews will adopt this product as part of their routine mission planning and safety decision-making.
An Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) specialist from the 137th Special Operations Wing provided tailored instruction on mission planning, sensor employment, and target identification.
Logistics advisors reinforced best practices for warehouse organization and hazardous material storage, while security forces advisors enhanced base defense and gate security procedures through practical, scenario-driven discussions.
This engagement lays the groundwork for future aircrew integration as air advisors and SVA pilots prepare to fly together during the next training event.
MSAS personnel also strengthened community ties by interacting with students from a local school and organizing a friendly soccer match with SVA personnel, reinforcing the partnership both inside and outside the airfield.
The 571st MSAS remains committed to helping partner nations build long-term aviation capability. This mission highlights the United States' continued support to Costa Rica and reflects U.S. Southern Command's commitment to strengthening regional security cooperation through the Theater Maintenance Partnership Initiative.