3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade

The 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade (3rd SFAB) is a Security force assistance brigade of the United States Army. It is based in Fort Cavazos, Texas.[1]

Advisors from the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade don their brown berets at a ceremony standing up the unit
3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade
The SFAB's shoulder sleeve insignia
FoundedJanuary 2019–present
Country United States of America
Branch United States Army
TypeMilitary education and training
RoleTrain and advise foreign militaries
Security force assistance
Garrison/HQFort Cavazos, Texas, U.S.
Color of Beret  Brown
Commanders
Current
commander		Col. Zachary L. Miller
Command Sergeant MajorAaron Spahl
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
Beret flash

Security Force Assistance Brigades

SFABs are brigades whose mission is to train, advise, and assist other states' armed forces. Operationally, an 800-soldier SFAB would free-up a 4,500-soldier Brigade Combat Team from a training and advisory mission.

On 23 June 2016 General Mark Milley revealed plans for train/advise/assist Brigades, consisting of seasoned officers and NCOs with a full chain of command, but no junior Soldiers.[2]: Minute 18:40/1:00:45  The SFABs were to consist of 800 senior officers and NCOs, which, the Army says, could act as a cadre to reform a full brigade combat team in a matter of months.[3] In May 2017, the initial SFAB staffing of 529 soldiers was underway, including 360 officers. The officers will have had previous command experience.[2]: 21:20  Commanders and leaders will have previously led BCTs at the same echelon.[4] The remaining personnel, all senior NCOs, are being recruited from across the Army.[5][6][7] Promotable E-4s who volunteer for the SFAB are automatically promoted to Sergeant upon completion of the Military Advisor Training Academy.[8] In the event of a national emergency SFABs could be augmented with new soldiers entering basic training and advanced individual training.[2]

On 16 October 2017, Brigadier General Brian Mennes of Force Management in the Army's G3/5/7 announced accelerated deployment of the first two SFABs, possibly by Spring 2018 to Afghanistan and Iraq, if required.[9] This was approved in early July 2017, by the Secretary of Defense and the Chief of Staff of the Army. These two SFABs would be trained in languages, how to work with interpreters, and equipped with the latest equipment including secure, but unclassified, communications and weapons to support coalition partners,[10][9] as well as unmanned aircraft systems (UASs).[11] An SFAB could provide up to 58 teams (possibly with additional personnel for force protection).[9]

A team of twelve soldiers would include a medic, personnel for intelligence support, and air support.[12]

Brigade deployment plans

The brigade was established on 4 January 2019. In August 2019 it was announced that 3rd SFAB would relieve 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade in Afghanistan for the Winter 2019 rotation.[13] On 10 June 2021, the brigade cased its colors in preparation for deploying 20 teams in 10 nations across the United States Central Command area of responsibility.[14][15]

References
  1. Myers, Meghann (2018-05-21). "These three posts will be home to the Army's next security force assistance brigades". Army Times. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  2. Milley 2016.
  3. "CSA explains how skeletal advisory brigades could regenerate force". Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  4. United States Army (16 October 2017). "First security force assistance brigade training for deployment".
  5. Lolita C. Baldor (4 May 2017) Associated Press Uncle Sam: We want you... to train others! $5K bonus offered Archived 5 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine accessdate=2017-05-05
  6. Security force assistance brigades to free Brigade combat teams from advise, assist mission
  7. Army Moves Closer to Establishing First Security Force Assistance Brigade
  8. 1st SFAB promotes first Soldiers to sergeant under new policy
  9. AUSA (16 October 2017) AUSA Video clip, Warriors corner #9: All things Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), part of the article, "First security force assistance brigade training for deployment"
  10. Capt. John May (November 27, 2017) Military Advisor Training Academy prepares 1st SFAB as combat advisors and (December 21, 2017) Equipping SFABs: A 'Rubik's Cube' of logistics over 5,000 pieces of equipment
  11. United States Army (6 December 2017). "Eyes in the Sky with 1st SFAB".
  12. Jaffe and Ryan (21 January 2018). "Up to 1,000 more U.S. troops could be headed to Afghanistan this spring". Washington Post.
  13. U.S. Army Public Affairs (August 16, 2019) Army announces upcoming 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade unit rotation
  14. Brandy Cruz, Fort Hood Public Affairs (10 Jun 2021) 3rd SFAB battalion cases colors for unique assignment
  15. Colin Clark (28 Sep 2021) Lessons Learned From Afghanistan: Gen. Mark Milley
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