The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (2nd SFAB) is a security force assistance formation - a Security Force Assistance Brigade - of the United States Army. It is based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina,[1] under the Security Force Assistance Command. Security Force Assistance Brigades are the dedicated conventional organizations for conducting security force assistance around the world.
| 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 29 November 2018 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Security force assistance |
| Role | Train and advise foreign militaries |
| Size | 800 troops |
| Part of |  Security Force Assistance Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Bragg, North Carolina |
| Color of berets | Brown |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Col. Grant Fawcett |
| Command Sgt. Maj. | Paul M. Fedorisin |
| Insignia | |
| Shoulder sleeve insignia |  |
| Beret flash |  |
In March 2021 the brigade was announced to be aligned with United States Africa Command.[2]
Formation
editThe 2nd Brigade was established on 29 November 2018, upon return of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade from Afghanistan; the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade was scheduled to rotate in Afghanistan in Spring 2019,[3][4] with assistance of some elements of the 1st SFAB.[1]
According to Army officials, the 2nd SFAB was to report to its first combat training centre rotation in January [2019] as a culmination of its ongoing training.[5]
Each SFAB would have a regional focus and its capabilities would enable it to perform with minimal cultural and regional orientation.[6]
Soldiers of the Brigade underwent training for a month at Fort Benning with the Military Advisor Training Academy, before receiving additional training in foreign languages, foreign weapons, cultural mediation, culture and other fields.[5]
Composition
editEach Security Force Assistance Brigade consists of about 800 senior and noncommissioned officers.[7]
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.[5] While not all personnel in the Brigade are meant to be advisors, all personnel are meant to be able to deploy.[8] According to SOF News, the brigade requires over seventy different military occupational specialties, including infantry, medics, intelligence analysts, and logistics personnel.[8]
Structure
editThe 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade consists of 800 troops,[7] and is based on the brigade combat team model,[8] consisting of the Brigade headquarters and of related Battalions.
Each Battalion in turn provides the combat advisor teams, the operational units of a Security Force Assistance Brigade. Each combat advisor team is a small unit, consisting of about 12 troops per team, although additional soldiers may be assigned or attached to a combat advisor team in order to provide force protection.[8]
Garrison
editAccording to Fort Bragg officials, the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade could be housed in space previously used by the inactivated 440th Airlift Wing.[7]
The brigade provided maintenance assistance to the 201st Regional Military Training Center, 201st Corps, Afghan National Army in late 2019-early 2020 to help maintain their 1960-vintage Soviet D-30 122mm howitzers.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Myers, Meghann (3 December 2018). "The Army's second security force assistance brigade is activated and preparing to deploy next year". Army Times. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ McConville 2021.
- ^ a b Clapp 2020.
- ^ "Department of the Army announces upcoming 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade unit rotation". U.S. Army. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ a b c Brooks, Drew (29 July 2018). "Fort Bragg Unit Will Play Key Role in Army's Future Strategy". Military.com. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ "Security Force Assistance Command, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade activate at Fort Bragg". U.S. Army. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ a b c Brooks, Drew (10 December 2018). "Fort Bragg picked for new 800-soldier unit". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ a b c d Friberg 2018.
- Clapp, Christian (January 16, 2020). "Sustaining Fires: 2nd SFAB advisors help ANA improve maintenance program". United States Army.
- Friberg, John (20 December 2018). "2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade- 2nd SFAB". SOF News. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
- McConville, James (16 March 2021). "Chief of Staff Paper #1 (16 Mar 2021) Army Multi-Domain Transformation: Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict" (PDF). Washington DC.: Department of the Army.