{{Short description|Specialized type of United States Army unit}} {{for|the British Army brigade|11th Security Force Assistance Brigade}} {{use mdy dates|date=December 2019}} 350px|thumb|1st Security Force Assistance Brigade activation ceremony A '''Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB)''' (pronounced {{respell|ESS|fab}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB9ITFT1n9Q&t=84s 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310013549/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB9ITFT1n9Q&t=84s |date=March 10, 2022 }}, The U.S. Army YouTube Channel, dated 6 March 2018, last accessed 9 March 2022</ref>) is a specialized United States Army unit formed to conduct security force assistance (SFA) missions: to train, advise, assist, enable and accompany operations with allied and partner state armed forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortbenningausa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/TCM_SFAB_2018.pdf|title=Operational and Organizational Concept|date=2018-04-04|access-date=2018-05-22|website=Fort Benning|archive-date=May 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522112518/https://fortbenningausa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/TCM_SFAB_2018.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> SFABs are intended to reduce the burden of such irregular operations on conventionally focused forces, allowing conventional maneuver divisions and brigades to focus on decisive, regular battle.
Designed on the model of a standard infantry brigade combat team, SFABs are composed of roughly 800 personnel, primarily commissioned and non-commissioned officers selected from regular and Army National Guard units and given additional training at the Military Advisor Training Academy (MATA) at Fort Benning, Georgia.
==History== During the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) and the War in Iraq (2003-2010) the Department of Defense attempted to build foreign armies, other military forces, police forces, and other security forces.
United States MiTTs trained the Iraqi Army and National Police and ETTs did the same in Afghanistan. Training over 350,000 soldiers and police between the two nations MiTTs and ETTs were heavily employed but suffered from a lack of standardization in programs of instructions, force structure, and selection criteria. Trying to draw lessons from these experiences the U.S. Army utilized portions of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) as Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF). Utilizing BCTs as RAF as the primary mechanism to deliver training and assistance did improve performance. However, as the primary role of brigade combat teams were seen as winning in conventional regular warfare, rather than irregular operations, RAFs were not seen as sufficient. Therefore, Security Force Assistance Brigades were created as a dedicated answer from 2017.
From August 2017 to May 2020 the Army established six Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs). Originally designed to provide advice, assist, and accompany capabilities to Afghan, Iraqi, and Peshmerga Security Forces, the Army reorganized SFABs in 2019 to meet the global challenges inherent to strategic competition. With the completion of global alignment in summer 2021, SFABs transitioned and assumed a role the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army described as "the Army's leading edge of campaigning." In addition to providing Combatant Commands' persistent, predictable, and effective capabilities during competition, SFABs help marshal United States allies and partners. SFABs' role in crisis and conflict has not only been tested during Combat Training Center rotations and Warfighter Exercises, it was put to use as part of EUCOM and NATO's assure and deter operations during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.<ref name= 4thsfabMediaRoundtable >U.S. Army Public Affairs [https://www.army.mil/article/260499/4th_sfab_acoet_media_roundtable (23 Sep 2022) 4th SFAB ACOET Media Roundtable] </ref><ref name=aimpoint2035 >Chief of Staff Paper #1 [https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2021/03/23/eeac3d01/20210319-csa-paper-1-signed-print-version.pdf (16 Mar 2021) Army Multi-Domain Transformation: Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516213122/https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2021/03/23/eeac3d01/20210319-csa-paper-1-signed-print-version.pdf |date=May 16, 2021 }}</ref><ref name=csa2 >Chief of Staff Paper #2 [https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2021/03/29/bf6c30e6/csa-paper-2-the-army-in-military-competition.pdf (1 March 2021) The Army in Military Competition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602133203/https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2021/03/29/bf6c30e6/csa-paper-2-the-army-in-military-competition.pdf |date=June 2, 2021 }}</ref>
<gallery widths=250 heights=170> File:Security Force Assistance Command.jpg|Security Force Assistance Command File:4th Security Force Assistance Brigade.jpg|4th Security Force Assistance Brigade File:Security Force Assistance Brigade.jpg|5th Security Force Assistance Brigade </gallery>
==Overview== {{Listen | image = 50px | help = no | filename = US Army Security Force Assistance Brigade-Overview.ogv | title = "Soldiers:" A Security Force Assistance Brigade overview video | pos = right }} The mission of the SFAB is to carry out training, advise, and assist (TAA) missions overseas with foreign nation military partners. SFABs are the United States Army's latest solution to providing dedicated and trained personnel to relieve the Brigade Combat Teams from performing combat advisory missions. Combat advisory is not seen as a primary combat mission.<ref name="www.army.mil4 2017">{{cite web | title=Security force assistance brigades to free brigade combat teams from advise, assist mission | website=U.S. Army | date=2017-05-18 | url=https://www.army.mil/article/188004/security_force_assistance_brigades_to_free_brigade_combat_teams_from_advise_assist_mission | last=Lopez | first=C. Todd | access-date=2018-01-14 | archive-date=March 11, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311204809/https://www.army.mil/article/188004/security_force_assistance_brigades_to_free_brigade_combat_teams_from_advise_assist_mission | url-status=live }}</ref>
Before the creation of SFABs, the combat advisory role was filled by non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers detailed from the Brigade Combat Teams to train host nation military forces, leaving critical leadership billets unfilled. Operating in units with roughly 800 personnel, SFABs are designed to be versatile and deployable worldwide and are made up exclusively of NCOs and officers, however E-4s with promotable status are accepted and receive promotion to sergeant (E-5) upon graduation of MATA.<ref name="www.army.mil3 2017">{{cite web | title=1st Security Force Assistance Brigade promotes first Soldiers under new promotion policy | website=U.S. Army | date=2017-11-02 | first=Joseph | last=Truckley | url=https://www.army.mil/article/196383/1st_security_force_assistance_brigade_promotes_first_soldiers_under_new_promotion_policy | access-date=2018-01-14 | archive-date=November 7, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031150/https://www.army.mil/article/196383/1st_security_force_assistance_brigade_promotes_first_soldiers_under_new_promotion_policy | url-status=live }}</ref>
SFABs are conventional units composed of volunteers recruited from units across the Regular Army. Volunteers undergo a five-day assessment at Fort Benning which evaluates a candidate's physical fitness, decision-making, problem solving, and communications skills as well as their ethics and morals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/222867/so_you_want_to_be_an_sfab_advisor_heres_how|first=Mark|last=Albright|publisher=U.S. Army|date=June 6, 2019|title=So you want to be an SFAB Advisor? Here's how...|access-date=June 10, 2019|archive-date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103164004/https://www.army.mil/article/222867/so_you_want_to_be_an_sfab_advisor_heres_how|url-status=live}}</ref> All SFAB volunteers then attend MATA training. Trainees may receive additional language training, culture training, foreign weapons training and medical training, among other topics.<ref name="www.army.mil 20171">{{cite web | title=1st SFAB Assesses Candidates | website=U.S. Army | first=Arjenis | last=Nunez | date=2017-11-03 | url=https://www.army.mil/article/196416/1st_sfab_assesses_candidates | access-date=2018-01-14 | archive-date=July 24, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724124000/https://www.army.mil/article/196416/1st_sfab_assesses_candidates | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="www.army.mil2 2017">{{cite web | title=Equipping SFABs: A 'Rubik's Cube' of logistics | website=U.S. Army | first=Kevin | last=Fleming | date=2017-12-21 | url=https://www.army.mil/article/198514/equipping_sfabs_a_rubiks_cube_of_logistics | access-date=2018-01-14 | archive-date=January 13, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093303/https://www.army.mil/article/198514/equipping_sfabs_a_rubiks_cube_of_logistics | url-status=live }}</ref> The SFABs are equipped with secure, but unclassified communications gear, utilizing T2C2 (Transportable Tactical Command Communications) systems, a novel type of backpack satellite voice and data terminals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/army-buying-portable-satcom-gear-that-fits-in-soldiers-backpacks/|first=Sandra|last=Erwin|date=October 8, 2018|title=Army buying portable satcom gear that fits in soldiers' backpacks|website=SpaceNews|access-date=October 25, 2018|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424044124/https://spacenews.com/army-buying-portable-satcom-gear-that-fits-in-soldiers-backpacks/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>ASA(ALT) Weapon Systems Handbook 2018, T2C2</ref> United States Army Communications-Electronics Command is augmenting this equipment with vehicle-mounted and hand-carried radios.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fortcarsonmountaineer.com/2019/07/4th-sfab-gearing-up-with-high-tech/|first=Scott|last=Prater|date=July 23, 2019|title=4th SFAB gearing up with high tech|website=Fort Carson Mountaineer|access-date=December 4, 2019|archive-date=December 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204173218/https://www.fortcarsonmountaineer.com/2019/07/4th-sfab-gearing-up-with-high-tech/|url-status=live}} * For the Humvee-mounted retrofits: *# Replace the alternator. *# Install a hardened computer. *# Install 11 different types of radio systems, antennas and components.</ref>
In March 2020, Logistics Advisor Team 1610, 6th Battalion, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade delivered a Vehicle Maintenance and Recovery Course to the Senegalese Army in Dakar, Senegal. This was 1st SFAB's first mission in USARAF's area of responsibility.<ref name= usarafSenegalLogisticsTeam >Matthew Fontaine (7 May 2020). [https://www.army.mil/article/235353/1st_sfab_begins_advising_mission_to_africa_with_vehicle_maintenance_training_in_senegal "1st SFAB begins advising mission to Africa with vehicle maintenance training in Senegal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515160330/https://www.army.mil/article/235353/1st_sfab_begins_advising_mission_to_africa_with_vehicle_maintenance_training_in_senegal |date=May 15, 2020 }}.</ref>
The creation of SFABs is part of a broader trend by the Defense Department to free line troops from the perceived distraction of military aid and assistance to weak, fragile states. The aim is to try to stand up capable security institutions within weaker states. However, it is unlikely that the SFABs will be able to overcome the "three SFA traps" of trying to create an effective military in a state that cannot afford one; political leadership that views their army as a threat; or political leadership that uses that army against rivals in an unconstitutional fashion.{{sfn|Matisek|Reno|2019}}
===SFAB Structure=== <gallery widths="325px" heights="200px"> File:US Army Infantry SFAB structure.png|Infantry security force assistance brigade structure<ref name="ATP 3-96.1">{{cite web|url=https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN8448_ATP%203-96x1%20FINAL%20Web.pdf|title=ATP 3-96.1: Security Force Assistance Brigade|website=Headquarters, Department of the Army|date=May 2018|access-date=10 November 2018|archive-date=November 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111093222/https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN8448_ATP%203-96x1%20FINAL%20Web.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> File:US Army Armored SFAB structure.png|Armored security force assistance brigade structure<ref name="ATP 3-96.1"/> File:US Army SFAB advising team structure.png|Security force assistance brigade advising team structure<ref name="ATP 3-96.1"/> </gallery>
Each Security Force Assistance Brigade consists of about 800 senior and noncommissioned officers.<ref name="FayetObs10Dec18">{{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Drew |title=Fort Bragg picked for new 800-soldier unit |url=https://www.fayobserver.com/news/20171210/fort-bragg-picked-for-new-800-soldier-unit |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=The Fayetteville Observer |date=10 December 2018 |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125031240/http://www.fayobserver.com/news/20171210/fort-bragg-picked-for-new-800-soldier-unit |url-status=live }}</ref>
According to Drew Brooks from The Fayetteville Observer, members of the brigade are picked on voluntary basis among the best soldiers of other units across the Army.<ref name="Military29Jul18">{{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Drew |title=Fort Bragg Unit Will Play Key Role in Army's Future Strategy |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/07/29/fort-bragg-unit-will-play-key-role-armys-future-strategy.html |access-date=20 December 2018 |work=Military.com |date=29 July 2018 |language=en |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917064529/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/07/29/fort-bragg-unit-will-play-key-role-armys-future-strategy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While not all personnel in the Brigade are meant to be advisors, all personnel are meant to be able to deploy.{{sfn|Friberg|2018}} According to ''SOF News'', the brigade requires over seventy different military occupational specialties, including infantry, medics, intelligence analysts, and logistics personnel.{{sfn|Friberg|2018}}
[[File:1st Security Force Assistance Brigade Beret and flash.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Brown beret of the SFABs (1st SFAB flash and DUI depicted)]] The 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade was the first SFAB raised in the United States Army. Based in Fort Benning, Georgia the 1st SFAB is made up of the first graduates of MATA and are under the command of Colonel <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/210073/1st_sfab_commander_earns_1st_star_and_promotion_to_brigadier_general|first=Matthew|last=Fontaine|date=August 18, 2018|title=1st SFAB Commander earns 1st Star and Promotion to Brigadier General|website=U.S. Army|access-date=August 25, 2019|archive-date=August 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825095058/https://www.army.mil/article/210073/1st_sfab_commander_earns_1st_star_and_promotion_to_brigadier_general|url-status=live}}</ref> Christopher Landers and Command Sergeant Major Christopher Goodart. On February 8, 2018, the 1st SFAB held its official activation ceremony at the National Infantry Museum on Fort Benning, Georgia.<ref name="1st SFAB Activation Ceremony">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/200244/1st_sfab_hosts_activation_ceremony_heraldry_announced|title=1st SFAB hosts activation ceremony; Heraldry announced|website=U.S. Army|date=2018-02-08|access-date=2018-03-02|archive-date=March 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302044743/https://www.army.mil/article/200244/1st_sfab_hosts_activation_ceremony_heraldry_announced}}</ref> The Army plans to raise a total of six SFABs, five of which will be in the active duty Army, and one in the Army National Guard.<ref name="Home » Home 2017">{{cite web | title=SFAB » Home | website=Tradoc News | date=2017-10-23 | url=http://tradocnews.org/tag/sfab/ | access-date=2018-01-14 | archive-date=December 30, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230054450/http://tradocnews.org/tag/sfab/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The Indiana Army National Guard is providing the headquarters for the newly designated 54th SFAB. 1st Battalion is being organized by the Georgia Army National Guard.<ref name=newassistance /> Two battalions are being organized by the Florida Army National Guard, the 3rd Squadron, 54th Cavalry, and the 2nd Infantry Battalion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/204820/florida_officer_first_guardsman_to_complete_sfab_training|title=Florida officer first Guardsman to complete SFAB training|date=2018-05-07|access-date=2018-05-22|website=National Guard|first=Carmen|last=Fleischmann|archive-date=May 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522112641/https://www.army.mil/article/204820/florida_officer_first_guardsman_to_complete_sfab_training|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://capitalsoup.com/2018/05/04/florida-soldier-becomes-first-national-guard-member-graduate-combat-advisor-training-course/|date=2018-05-04|access-date=2018-05-22|website=Capital Soup|title=Florida Soldier becomes first National Guard member to graduate Combat Advisor Training Course|archive-date=May 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522180933/http://capitalsoup.com/2018/05/04/florida-soldier-becomes-first-national-guard-member-graduate-combat-advisor-training-course/|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to Meghann Myers, the U.S. Army prioritized installations that are also home to divisions, with a two-star general on site to provide guidance and facilitate training, as homes for the Security Force Assistance Brigades.<ref name="ArmyTimes21May18">{{cite news |last1=Myers |first1=Meghann |title=These three posts will be home to the Army's next security force assistance brigades |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/05/18/these-three-posts-will-be-home-to-the-armys-next-three-security-force-assistance-brigades/ |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=Army Times |date=21 May 2018 |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424044124/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/05/18/these-three-posts-will-be-home-to-the-armys-next-three-security-force-assistance-brigades/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On May 18, 2018, the Army announced that the Security Force Assistance Command (SFAC) will be established at Fort Bragg. This division-level Command,<ref name=sfac,2ndSfab /> led by a Brigadier General, will oversee the Army's six Security Force Assistance Brigades, as well as the MATA<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fayobserver.com/news/20180518/fort-bragg-will-be-home-to-security-force-assistance-command|date=2018-05-18|title=Fort Bragg will be home to Security Force Assistance Command|website=The Fayetteville Observer|first=Drew|last=Brooks|access-date=2018-06-11|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140049/http://www.fayobserver.com/news/20180518/fort-bragg-will-be-home-to-security-force-assistance-command|url-status=live}}</ref> for SFAB training and oversight.<ref name="3 new SFAB locations" /> SFAC and 2nd SFAB were activated on 3 December 2018 at Fort Bragg;<ref name=sfac,2ndSfab >{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/214605/security_force_assistance_command_2nd_security_force_assistance_brigade_activate_at_fort_bragg|website=Security Force Assistance Command Public Affairs|date=December 3, 2018|title=Security Force Assistance Command, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade activate at Fort Bragg|access-date=December 10, 2018|archive-date=December 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210202629/https://www.army.mil/article/214605/security_force_assistance_command_2nd_security_force_assistance_brigade_activate_at_fort_bragg|url-status=live}}</ref> BG Mark Landes and BG Donn Hill are the Commanding Generals of SFAC and 2nd SFAB, respectively.<ref name=sfac,2ndSfab />
By 2020, the SFABs are to include missions to US Central Command, US Southern Command, US Indo-Pacific Command, and US Africa Command.<ref name= sfabsGrowForce >{{Cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/235370/sfabs_look_to_grow_force_expand_missions_around_the_world |title=Sean Kimmons (7 May 2020) SFABs look to grow force, expand missions around the world |access-date=May 13, 2020 |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516020755/https://www.army.mil/article/235370/sfabs_look_to_grow_force_expand_missions_around_the_world |url-status=live }}</ref> According to a US military journal, "such specialized security force assistance units is a stopgap measure that frees up more resources for conventional warfare, allowing the rest of the US military to focus on combined-arms training and equipping for conflict and competition with China and Russia."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Matisek |first1=Jahara |last2=Williamson |first2=Joshua |title=Limited Wars in the Periphery: The Dilemma of American Military Assistance |journal=Expeditions with MCU Press |date=June 2020 |doi=10.36304/ExpwMCUP.2020.03|doi-access= }}</ref>
Army officials told the press in May 2025 that the 4th and 54th Security Force Assistance Brigades will be deactivated, with no timeline announced, freeing up seasoned soldiers for duty in traditional line units, leaving the Army with four operational SFABs.<ref name="Task & Purpose">[https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-sfab-units-shuttered/ Army to eliminate 2 Security Force Assistance Brigades, reassign experienced soldiers], Task & Purpose, by Patty Nieberg, dated 13 May 2025, last accessed 3 June 2025</ref>
The Army announced that as of November 2025, the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade has been deactivated at a ceremony on Fort Bragg, North Carolina on the 26th of November 2025 <ref name=":0" />
==SFAB recruiting== The SFAB Recruiting and Retention Team<ref name="www.facebook.com 2018">{{cite web | title=SFAB Recruiting & Retention Facebook Page | website=Facebook | date=2017-09-15 | url=https://www.facebook.com/SFABRecruiting/ | access-date=2018-03-02 | archive-date=January 27, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127061531/https://www.facebook.com/SFABRecruiting/ | url-status=live }}</ref> was formed to provide SFAB leader development briefs and recruit Army-wide Soldiers and leaders for SFAB opportunities. Eligible Soldiers volunteer for SFAB assignments by completing two SFAB Volunteer forms<ref name="www.armyreenlistment.com 2018">{{cite web | title=SFAB Volunteer Forms | website=www.armyreenlistment.com | date=2017-09-15 | url=http://www.armyreenlistment.com/sfab.html | access-date=2018-03-02 | archive-date=March 4, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304054947/http://www.armyreenlistment.com/sfab.html | url-status=live }}</ref> DA Form 4187 (Personnel Request) and SF 600 (Medical Screening) and e-mailing both to the Human Resources Command (HRC) SFAB Team for screening. On May 15, 2018, Army officials released new guidance on the Army's Selective Retention Bonus (SRB) Program, which includes first-ever bonuses up to $52,000 for those who reenlist for critical Security Forces Assistance Brigade positions.<ref name="SFAB Retention Bonues">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/205376/army_announces_new_changes_to_retention_bonuses_kickers|title=Army announces new changes to retention bonuses, kickers|website=U.S. Army|first=Sean|last=Kimmons|date=15 May 2018|access-date=16 May 2018|archive-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516202018/https://www.army.mil/article/205376/army_announces_new_changes_to_retention_bonuses_kickers|url-status=live}}</ref>
==List of Security Force Assistance Brigades== {| class="wikitable" |+Security Force Assistance Units ! Unit name ! Shoulder sleeve insignia ! Distinctive unit insignia ! Beret flash ! Unit location ! Aligned to ! Status |- |Security Force Assistance Command | rowspan="7" |175px|center | 75px|center | 75px |Fort Bragg, North Carolina | |Deactivated as of 12 JAN 2026<ref name=sfac,2ndSfab /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sampson |first=Eve |date=2026-01-12 |title=Army inactivates Security Force Assistance Command |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/01/12/army-inactivates-security-force-assistance-command/ |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Army Times |language=en}}</ref> |- | 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade | 75px|center | 75px | Fort Benning, Georgia | SOUTHCOM | Active |- | 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade | 75px|center | 75px | Fort Bragg, North Carolina | AFRICOM | Deactivated as of 26 NOV 2025<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Army shuts down foreign training brigade mission focused on Middle East and Africa|url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2025-11-28/army-sfab-cuts-19911575.html|newspaper=Stars and Stripes|access-date=2025-11-29|language=en|archive-date=November 28, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251128192407/https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2025-11-28/army-sfab-cuts-19911575.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2nd SFAB">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/197954/army_announces_activation_of_second_security_force_assistance_brigade_at_fort_bragg|title=Army announces activation of second Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Bragg|website=U.S. Army|date=8 December 2017|access-date=10 March 2018|archive-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223010623/https://www.army.mil/article/197954/army_announces_activation_of_second_security_force_assistance_brigade_at_fort_bragg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sfac,2ndSfab" /> |- |3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade |75px|center |75px |Fort Hood, Texas | CENTCOM | Active |- | 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade<ref name=4thSfabActivation /><ref name= 4thSfabRotation >{{Cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/234812/ |title=U.S. Army Public Affairs (23 April 2020) Army announces upcoming 4th Security Forces Assistance Brigade, unit rotation |access-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319025657/https://www.army.mil/article/234812/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |75px|center |75px | Fort Carson, Colorado | EUCOM | Active<ref name=4thSfabActivation >{{Cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/235048/latest_sfab_activates_prepares_for_afghanistan_mission |title=Sean Kimmons, Army News Service (28 April 2020) Latest SFAB activates, prepares for Afghanistan mission |access-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-date=May 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504023605/https://www.army.mil/article/235048/latest_sfab_activates_prepares_for_afghanistan_mission |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="4th SFAB Homepage">{{cite web|url=http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4sfab.html|title=4th Security Force Assistance Brigade|website=Fort Caron|access-date=24 February 2019|archive-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225161849/http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4sfab.html}}</ref> |- | 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade |75px|center |75px |Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington | INDOPACOM | Active<ref name="5thsfab">[https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/05/29/final-sfab-activates-with-upcoming-missions-in-asia-as-army-plans-a-pacific-pathways-restart/ Final SFAB activates with upcoming missions in Asia, as Army plans a Pacific Pathways restart] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424044124/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/05/29/final-sfab-activates-with-upcoming-missions-in-asia-as-army-plans-a-pacific-pathways-restart/ |date=April 24, 2023 }}, ArmyTimes, by Kyle Rempfer, dated 30 May 2020, last accessed 31 May 2020</ref><ref name="5th SFAB Facebook">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/5thSFAB/|title=5th Security Force Assistance Brigade Official Facebook page|website=Facebook|access-date=13 July 2019|archive-date=July 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718103942/https://www.facebook.com/5thSFAB/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="3 new SFAB locations">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/205490/army_announces_the_stationing_of_three_security_force_assistance_brigades|title=Army announces the stationing of three Security Force Assistance Brigades|website=U.S. Army|date=18 May 2018|access-date=18 May 2018|archive-date=May 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519033222/https://www.army.mil/article/205490/army_announces_the_stationing_of_three_security_force_assistance_brigades|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade (National Guard)<ref name=newassistance>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/1480551/indiana-national-guard-to-stand-up-new-assistance-brigade/|title=Indiana National Guard to stand up new assistance brigade|work=National Guard|access-date=2018-06-10|language=en-US|date=2018-03-30|first=Jeff|last=Lowry|archive-date=May 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522111522/http://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/1480551/indiana-national-guard-to-stand-up-new-assistance-brigade/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="54th SFAB">{{cite web|url=http://smtc.dodlive.mil/files/2018/07/SMOM-18-040-AC-ARNG-54th-Security-Force-Assistance-Brigade-SFAB.pdf|title=Memorandum for NG J1 RRF (All-Entire RRF), ARNG 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) (SMOM #18-040)|website=National Guard Bureau|date=30 April 2018|access-date=6 October 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006234758/http://smtc.dodlive.mil/files/2018/07/SMOM-18-040-AC-ARNG-54th-Security-Force-Assistance-Brigade-SFAB.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> |75px|center |75px |HHC: Indiana, 1st Battalion: Georgia, 2nd & 3rd Battalions: Florida, 4th Battalion: Texas, 5th Battalion: Ohio, and 6th Battalion: Illinois<ref name="54th SFAB"/> | | Active<ref name=4thSfabActivation /><ref name="54th SFAB"/> |}
== See also == * United States Security Assistance Organizations * 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade - British Army equivalent.
== References == <!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --> {{reflist}} * {{cite news |last1=Friberg |first1=John |title=2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade- 2nd SFAB |url=http://www.sof.news/afghanistan/2nd-sfab/ |access-date=25 December 2018 |work=SOF News |date=20 December 2018 |language=en}} * {{Cite journal|last1=Matisek|first1=Jahara |last2=Reno |first2=William |date=2019|title=Getting American Security Force Assistance Right: Political Context Matters|url=https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/1738248/getting-american-security-force-assistance-right-political-context-matters/|journal=Joint Force Quarterly|volume=92|pages=65–73|access-date=March 1, 2019|archive-date=May 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510095110/https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/1738248/getting-american-security-force-assistance-right-political-context-matters/|url-status=live}} * [https://mwi.westpoint.edu/no-more-train-and-pray-the-consequences-of-cutting-the-armys-security-force-assistance-capability/ No More Train and Pray: The Consequences of Cutting the Army's Security Force Assistance Capability - Jahara Matisek, Anthony Messenger and Curt Belohlavek | 07.22.25]
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Category:Brigades of the United States Army Category:Military advisory groups