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Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs)

Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs) are specialized U.S. Army units designed to provide training, advising, assistance, and liaison support to partner militaries worldwide. Established in 2017, SFABs are composed entirely of officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) with extensive operational experience. Their role has evolved alongside shifting U.S. military priorities, from counterinsurgency in Iraq and Afghanistan to large-scale combat operations and strategic competition. SFABs serve as an intermediary force, enhancing interoperability and providing sustained military assistance to allies while adapting to emerging threats and geopolitical realities.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Jones, operations advisor, 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade, shakes hands with Cpl. Stanimir Nenov, 42nd Mechanized Battalion, 2nd Mechanized Brigade, Bulgarian Land Forces, after a demonstration of capabilities at Bulgaria’s Armed Forces Day celebration, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, May 6, 2022. The 4th SFAB partners with select NATO Allies and partner land forces to increase internal capability and interoperability in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa security cooperation objectives. This provides USAREUR-AF the opportunity to improve combined force interoperability in an environment of mutual learning. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Angelo Mejia, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Jones, operations advisor, 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade, shakes hands with Cpl. Stanimir Nenov, 42nd Mechanized Battalion, 2nd Mechanized Brigade, Bulgarian Land Forces, after a demonstration of capabilities at Bulgaria’s Armed Forces Day celebration, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, May 6, 2022. The 4th SFAB partners with select NATO Allies and partner land forces to increase internal capability and interoperability in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa security cooperation objectives. This provides USAREUR-AF the opportunity to improve combined force interoperability in an environment of mutual learning. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Angelo Mejia, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

History

  • 2017: The first SFAB was established to support the Afghan Army, focusing on advisory missions within counterinsurgency operations.
  • 2019: The Army refined SFAB doctrine to integrate security assistance into large-scale military operations, emphasizing competition with near-peer adversaries.
  • 2020s: SFABs transitioned into a training and liaison role, playing a critical function in interoperability, advising, and strategic military cooperation. Their adaptability ensures they can scale from peacetime competition to crisis response and conflict.

Characteristics and Key Functions

  • Composition: Each SFAB consists of six battalions, with cross-functional teams of 4-12 advisors specializing in movement and maneuver, medical support, logistics, engineering, fire support, protection, and intelligence. These teams tailor their composition to the mission requirements.
  • Global Force Posture: By 2019, the Army had planned six SFABs, each with approximately 800 personnel, assigned to specific regions aligning with the six combatant commands.
  • Qualifications: SFAB candidates undergo a rigorous selection process conducted by the Security Force Assistance Command. Selection criteria emphasize leadership, adaptability, strategic empathy, and experience under pressure.
  • Mission Scope: SFABs perform more than just training and liaison duties. Their core functions include assessing, advising, supporting, and liaising with partner forces. These roles expand as needed to organizing, training, building, rebuilding, and assisting allied militaries.
  • Deterrence: SFABs contribute to deterrence by disseminating military expertise in a way that enhances partner capabilities while signaling strength to adversaries.

U.S. Army Infantry SFAB structure. Wikimedia Commons.U.S. Army Infantry SFAB structure. Wikimedia Commons.

The Training Triad

  • Task Force Spartan: Provides sustained readiness through training and exercises, ensuring a strong, flexible force presence in theater.
  • State Partnership Program: Develops limited capabilities and fosters interoperability without permanent deployments.
  • Persistent Partnerships: Establishes long-term advisory relationships with foreign militaries, building capability from basic to advanced levels.

Operational Impact and Regional Engagement: Select Cases

  • Middle East: SFABs support partners like Jordan and the UAE in operational logistics, including complex airlift missions.
  • Indo-Pacific: SFAB teams have trained forces in the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and Mongolia, bolstering regional security and multilateral cooperation.
  • Europe & Central Asia: SFABs in Kazakhstan contribute to countering Russian influence, reinforcing U.S. and NATO objectives.

Challenges and Future Considerations

  • Resource Constraints: SFABs are limited in number and can be stretched thin across multiple theaters.
  • Transition to Conflict: While SFABs train at the battalion level, in high-intensity conflict they may be required to scale up to advising at brigade level, posing doctrinal and operational challenges.
  • Strategic Evolution: As military competition intensifies, SFABs continue to refine their structure and doctrine to meet emerging threats and maintain operational effectiveness.