‘First in Support’ RSE-UA: life at the ISA

by Sgt. 1st Class Alexander A. Burnett
21st Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs
Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Alexander BurnettNoncommissioned officers assigned to the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s Regional Support Element-United Assistance help contractors download pallets of food and supplies for the Intermediate Staging Area Nov. 22 in Dakar, Senegal.
Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Burnett
Noncommissioned officers assigned to the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s Regional Support Element-United Assistance help contractors download pallets of food and supplies for the Intermediate Staging Area Nov. 22 in Dakar, Senegal.

DAKAR, Senegal — The Soldiers of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s Regional Support Element-United Assistance have been conducting operations in Dakar, Senegal, for over a month. Recently, with the arrival of the element’s main body and the completion of construction operations, the team moved into the Intermediate Staging Area and began conducting daily operations.

Every day, the Soldiers of RSE-UA can be found compiling informational products tracking equipment and personnel coming in and out of the ISA, conducting refuel operations for generators, in- and out-processing multiservice forces and even conducting food service support.

Warrant Officer 1 Gabriel Taylor, 21st Theater Sustainment Command Regional Support Element-United Assistance intelligence officer, prepares to go running on the Intermediate Staging Area Nov. 21 in Dakar, Senegal. Members of RSE-UA do not have dedicated fitness equipment and do what is necessary to maintain physical readiness.
Warrant Officer 1 Gabriel Taylor, 21st Theater Sustainment Command Regional Support Element-United Assistance intelligence officer, prepares to go running on the Intermediate Staging Area Nov. 21 in Dakar, Senegal. Members of RSE-UA do not have dedicated fitness equipment and do what is necessary to maintain physical readiness.

“There is definitely work to be done here,” said Command Sgt. Maj. James Murrin, RSE-UA senior enlisted adviser. “In addition to conducting their typical mission in logistics support inside the tactical operations center, these great Soldiers are taking on other missions to help manage the ISA.”

Since the construction of their TOC, the element has remained vigilant in maintaining their operational tempo. The team conducts 24-hour operations to ensure their workspace maintains power and communications. They have also contended with visits from members of the local wildlife.

“We had a very large lizard enter the tactical operations center,” said Master Sgt. Jon Mayle, human resources NCO in charge for RSE-UA. “After we pushed him out, he decided to run around the tent and, 30 minutes later, re-enter to take part in one of our daily update briefings.”

During very limited free time, the Soldiers of RSE-UA keep busy by conducting physical readiness training, reading and trying to improve living conditions at the ISA.

“We have pretty limited means to conduct physical training; we don’t have a gym or designated work-out area,” said Staff Sgt. David Maybury, human resources NCO assigned to the RSE-UA. “A few of us are helping our Air Force partners build strength training equipment and using local resources to get a good work out in.”

The Soldiers of RSE-UA will continue to conduct operations in Senegal until relieved. During their tenure, they will continue to improve living conditions as much as possible.