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 multi-service forces and even conducting food service support.
"There is definitely work to be done here," said Command Sgt. Maj. James Murrin, the RSE-UA senior enlisted adviser and a native of Boston. "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," Master Sgt. Jon Mayle, the human resources noncommissioned officer in charge for RSE-UA and a native of Minot, Maine, said with a smile. "After we pushed him out, he decided to run around the tent and, thirty 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, a human resources noncommissioned officer assigned to the RSE-UA and a native of Tacoma, Washington. "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.
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