Photo By Maj. Marie Denson | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jose Roberto DaSilva, 151st Logistics Readiness Squadron,...... read more read more
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ANZI, Morocco – U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jose (Roberto) Da Silva, a readiness spare package (RSP) supervisor with the 151st Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS), Utah Air National Guard, plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role in the success of the humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) mission supporting African Lion 2025 (AL25).
Da Silva, originally from Brazil, moved to the United States in 2007 and eventually joined the Utah Army National Guard in 2013. His motivation to join the National Guard was rooted in education and opportunity.
“At first, I was interested in the education benefits so I could go to school and the medical benefits for my family,” Da Silva said. “But, with a young family it became difficult to attend school, so I focused on the Guard instead.”
In 2019 DaSilva transitioned to the Utah Air National Guard, drawn by the positive experiences of a fellow service member who had made a similar move.
Since making the switch, Da Silva says he’s found his home.
“I noticed right away the people are really nice, really friendly… I love it. I like the people. I like my job.”
While Da Silva doesn’t work directly with patients during African Lion 2025, his work is critical to ensuring pharmacists and medical providers have the supplies they need to care for local residents.
“We do the inventory,” he said. “We organize the medication and the supplies for the providers and pharmaceutical tent to issue to patients. It’s really rewarding for me too.”
All of the pharmaceuticals used during the HCA event are procured locally through Moroccan sources.
“All the medication that we have is all from the Moroccans that they brought,” he said.
Da Silva and his teammates have spent hours organizing, sorting, and distributing these supplies. “It was the whole morning. It’s still not done. Like 90 percent done — it was a lot.”
Despite the long hours, Da Silva finds moments of connection that have left a lasting impression. He recalls one local woman who works in the upstairs area of the building where their team is staged, a women’s birthing center, and her efforts to connect despite a language barrier.
“She likes to talk to us, even though we don’t really speak her language,” he said. “We realized that the only language she speaks is the dialect from Anzi.”
Even so, they managed to form a bond. “She is just so happy,” Da Silva said. “I was teaching her how to say, ‘I’m smiley.’”
Da Silva’s commitment to his work is matched by a love for outdoor adventure and staying active.
“My hobbies are mostly volleyball. I love hiking, backpacking, camping, and running that type of stuff,” said DaSilva. “Being really active outside.”
Though he has not had time to participate in the morning group runs while in Morocco, he says exploring Tiznit’s many shops and streets has been a highlight.
As African Lion 2025 continues, Staff Sgt. Da Silva’s behind-the-scenes contributions help sustain the mission’s momentum. His attention to detail, logistical experience, and quiet dedication serve as a strong example of how every Airman plays a vital role in delivering care and compassion across the globe.
AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2025 04:35 |
| Story ID: | 498550 |
| Location: | ANZI, MA |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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