Security Force Assistance Command

Last updated
Security Force Assistance Command
US Army Security Force Assistance Brigade SSI.png
ActiveNovember 2018 – present [1]
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States of America
BranchFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
TypeDivision-level command
RoleTrain and advise foreign militaries
Security force assistance
Part of United States Army Forces Command SSI.svg US Army Forces Command
Garrison/HQ Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Color of berets  Brown
Website Official Facebook page
Commanders
Commanding GeneralBG Kevin J. Lambert [2]
Initial commander BG Mark H. Landes [3]
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
Security Force Assistance Command DUI.png
Beret flash
Security Force Assistance Command Flash.svg

The Security Force Assistance Command (SFAC) is a division-level command element for the United States Army's new security force assistance brigades (SFAB). These units' core mission is security force assistance to conduct training, advising, assisting, enabling and accompanying operations with allied and partner nations. [1]

Contents

Fifth SFAB received four Starshield systems on 1 October 2023, for use in Indo-Pacific Command (IndoPacom)'s Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC). [4] These systems are satellite-enabled, and provide communications services suitable for the distances required to cover the Pacific. [4]

History

SFAB has its roots in Special Forces training and doctrine. The original Military Assistance Training Advisor (MATA) course was established in 1962 as part of the U.S. Army Special Warfare School. It prepared conventional U.S. Army officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) for assignments as advisors to Vietnamese Army units. Instructors were Special Forces NCOs who were trained in conducting Foreign Internal Defense (FID) missions. One notable feature of the school was the “MATA Mile” – a running course through the woods alongside Gruber Road at Fort Bragg. Students were provided with ST 31-179, MATA Handbook for Vietnam (January 1966).[ citation needed ] The SFABs carry on the FID mission of conventional foreign forces today.

Overview

References

  1. 1 2 Security Force Assistance Command, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade activate at Fort Bragg, Army.mil, by Security Force Assistance Command Public Affairs, dated 3 December 2018, last accessed 5 January 2019
  2. Security Force Assistance Command welcomes new commander amid ongoing global security force assistance efforts
  3. Now (18 Aug 2020) CG First Army Div East Fort Knox
  4. 1 2 Ashish Dangwal (6 Oct 2023) US Army Set For Elon Musk's SpaceX 'Starshield' Trials; SFAB To Become 1st Unit To Adopt The Systems
  5. "Security force assistance brigades to free brigade combat teams from advise, assist mission". www.army.mil. 2017-05-18. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  6. "1st Security Force Assistance Brigade promotes first Soldiers under new promotion policy". www.army.mil. 2017-11-02. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  7. "1st SFAB Assesses Candidates". www.army.mil. 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  8. "Equipping SFABs: A 'Rubik's Cube' of logistics". www.army.mil. 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  9. "Army buying portable satcom gear that fits in soldiers' backpacks". SpaceNews.com. 8 October 2018.
  10. ASA(ALT) Weapon Systems Handbook 2018, T2C2
  11. 1 2 3 ATP 3-96.1 Security Force Assistance Brigade, Department of the Army, dated May 2018, last accessed 10 November 2018
  12. "Indiana National Guard to stand up new assistance brigade". National Guard. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
  13. 1 2 Memorandum for NG J1 RRF (All-Entire RRF), ARNG 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) (SMOM #18-040), National Guard Bureau, dated 30 April 2018, last accessed 6 October 2018