Security Force
Assistance Brigade (SFAB)
(2012-2013 Afghanistan)
Editorial Note: In 2012-2013 the
U.S. Army deployed a number of SFABs to Afghanistan. These units were
Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) that were given the mission of 'Train, Advise,
and Assist' with the Afghan security forces. The SFABs deployed during
this time period were an adhoc arrangment. Upon return to the United
States they resumed their original mission. In September 2017 the U.S.
Army established the
1st
Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) - a permanent organization
with the primary mission of 'Train, Advise, and Assist'. The information
below pertains to the adhoc SFABs deployed to Afghanistan in the 2012-2013
period.
The Army fielded a number of mission-tailored brigades
configured to accomplish the Security Force Assistance (SFA) mission in
Afghanistan. These brigade formations were called Security Force Assistance
Brigades or SFABs. They were formed ad hoc from existing Brigade Combat Teams or
BCTs. As of winter 2012 two of these brigades had deployed to
Regional Command East - the 1/101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) from
Fort Campbell and the 4/1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood. The 4/1 CD
was the first SFAB to deploy followed shortly after by 1/101st Abn Div.
1. Each brigade
had less than 2,000 personnel - which is significantly less than the usual
3,500 Soldiers found in a BCT.
SFAB Purpose. The purpose of the
SFABs was to conduct Security Force Assistance through the organic
Security Force Assistance Advisor Teams or
SFAATs that came from within the SFAB structure.
Total Number of SFABs to Deploy.
Eventually, by the spring of 2013 there were as many as eight SFABs
deployed in Afghanistan - most in the east and south of the country.
Mission of SFABs. The SFABs
had an advisory, assist and support role in relation to the Afghan
National Security Forces (ANSF) and a very diminished combat role. The
SFABs provided enabling support to the ANSF in the form of
intelligence, base support, logistical, force protection, close air
support, MEDEVAC, and other support to the SFAATs that will be advising
the ANSF.
SFA Principles. In early 2012
General John Allen, COMISAF, released a memorandum entitled "15 Principles
of SFA". These principles provided sound advice on the SFA advisor mindset. See
Principles of SFA.
SFAB Training. The BCTs
conducting the SFA mission in Afghanistan attended pre-deployment
training at one of the Combined Training Centers (NTC, JMRC, or JRTC).
Part of this training was a mission readiness exercise to test the
brigades advisory skills. 2.
Functional SFA. SFABs
deployed to Afghanistan tailored the selection and training of their
advisor teams to the
Functional SFA model that ISAF adopted for 2014 and beyond.
SFAB Critical Tasks. There are
several critical SFAB tasks that are aligned with Articles listed in FM
7-15, Change 9, Army Universal Task List.
ART 2.2 Support to Situational Understanding
ART 2.3 Perform Intelligence Surveillance and
Reconnaissance
ART 3.1 Integrate Fires
ART 3.2 Provide Fire Support
ART 3.3 Integrate Air Ground Operations
ART 5.1.3 Execute Tactical Operations
ART 5.3 Conduct Knowledge Management and
Information Management
ART 6.12.3 Conduct Improvised Explosive Device
Operations
ART 5.4.1 Provide Interface or Liaison Among
Military and Civilian Organizations
Future Advisory Brigades Needed.
The success of the AAB concept in Iraq and SFAB concept in Afghanistan
provided many with the belief that the Army needs a full-time advise and
assist brigade to accomplish the specialized Security Force Assistance
(SFA) and Foreign Internal Defense (FID) missions.
News Articles about SFABs
January 14, 2016.
"Learning From Our Mistakes in Selection and Training of Military
Advisors." SOFREP. Establishment of an 'SFAB' or 'AAB' like
unit could assist in professionalizing the train, advise, and assist
mission.
July 24, 2014.
"Brave Rifles: here to help". DVIDS. 3rd Cavalry Regiment is
replacing 3rd BCT, 10th Mountain Division in Regional Command East in the
Security Force Assistance mission.
January 31, 2014.
"Fort Polk to keep 162nd SFAB for 2014". Leesville Daily Leader.
The Army has decided to keep the 162nd Brigade intact for 2014. One would
think that is a no-brainer given that the only wartime mission we have
right now is
Security Force Assistance in
Afghanistan. Evidently there were some plans to do away with the SFAB
at the beginning of 2014. The 162nd trains up the SFAATs deploying to
Afghanistan.
January 30, 2014.
"Strike cases colors for sixth time since 9/11". Fort Campbell
Courier. 2nd BCT 101st Airborne Division is returning to Afghanistan.
Their last deployment there was in 2012 when they provided a number of
SFAATs. On this deployment they will form an SFAB and provide SFAATs.
December 27, 2013.
"Currahee year in review". DVIDS. The 4th Brigade Combat
Team, 101st Airborne Division recently completed their 9 month tour of
duty in the Regional Command East area of Afghanistan. 4-101 deployed as
an SFAB with a number of SFAATs. The news article describes in brief the
train up and employment of SFAB 4-101.
July 31, 2013.
"Slugger arrives in Kunar". DVIDS. 3-89 Cav (Task Force
Slugger) has arrived in Kunar province, Afghanistan as part of the 4-10th
Mountain SFAB.
July 27, 2013.
"1st Cavalry's 4th Brigade closes out its Afghanistan deployment",
Killeen Daily Herald. The "Long Knife" Brigade, deployed as an SFAB,
returns home after a 9-month long deployment to the North of Kabul area
HQ'd at FOB Gamberi.
July 23, 2013.
"After 9 months in Afghanistan,Long Knife soldiers ready to come home".
DVIDS. 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood will soon
depart Afghanistan after performing its mission as an SFAB in northeastern
Afghanistan. COL William Benson (BCT Cdr) and MAJ Mark Andres (DCO)
provide a positive view on the ANA 201st Corps.
April 8, 2013.
"Chairman of Joint Chiefs visits Commando Brigade in Afghanistan".
Regional Command East. 2-10 SFAB hosts General Dempsey.
Bibliography for Resolute Support
Afghan War News has
compiled a "Resolute Support Annotated Bibliography" for the use of ISAF
staff and SFA advisors participating in the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
It is an Adobe Acrobat PDF, over 200 pages long, and less than 3 MBs
big. Easy to read online or download and it is available at the link
below:
www.afghanwarnews.info/pubs/RSM-Bibliography.htm
Videos about SFABs in Afghanistan
April 11, 2013. 2-10 SFAB in Afghanistan.
YouTube.com. Video (with music)
depicts photos of 2-10 SFAB (Commandos from 10th Mountain) during
early stages of their deployment to Afghanistan.
Endnotes
1. See "Back in the saddle again", Regional
Command East, November 28, 2012. Cites 4/1 CD as the first BCT to deploy
to Afghanistan as an SFAB. Blog post accessed
here. (Blog no longer online).
2. See "Final Afghanistan-bound Stryker Brigade
Trains for Deployment", American Forces Press Service, March 13,
2013 for details on the MRE that the SFABs conduct during pre-deployment
training
here. (Link no longer working).
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