What Is 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (1st SFAB) is a U.S. Army unit activated on January 12, 2018, at Fort Benning, Georgia, specifically trained to advise, assist, and train foreign security forces. It marked the Army’s first permanent unit dedicated to security force assistance missions, enhancing partner nation capabilities.

Key Facts

Activated on January 12, 2018, at Fort Benning, Georgia
Comprised of approximately 800 Soldiers with specialized language and advisory training
Deployed to Afghanistan in 2019 as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel
Part of a larger initiative to establish six SFABs by 2020
Trained over 20,000 foreign troops during initial deployments

Overview

The 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (1st SFAB) is a specialized unit within the United States Army designed to train, advise, and assist foreign military forces. Formally activated in 2018, it represents a strategic shift in how the U.S. conducts security cooperation and builds partner capacity abroad, especially in counterinsurgency and stability operations.

Unlike traditional combat brigades, the 1st SFAB focuses on non-combat advisory roles, embedding small teams with allied units to improve leadership, tactics, and operational effectiveness. The brigade’s creation responded to lessons learned from prolonged conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, where building host-nation security forces proved critical.

Activation date: The 1st SFAB was officially activated on January 12, 2018, at Fort Benning, Georgia, marking a milestone in U.S. Army modernization.
Size and structure: The brigade consists of approximately 800 Soldiers, including infantry, engineers, medics, and support personnel trained in foreign language and cultural awareness.
Mission focus: Its primary mission is security force assistance, which includes training, advising, and equipping foreign military units to enhance their combat readiness.
Deployment history: In 2019, the 1st SFAB deployed to Afghanistan, becoming the first SFAB to conduct operational missions under Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
Strategic importance: The unit allows conventional combat brigades to focus on core warfighting while SFABs handle long-term partner development missions.

How It Works

The 1st SFAB operates through small, agile teams embedded with foreign units, providing mentorship and tactical guidance without engaging in direct combat. These teams are carefully selected and trained to operate in complex, culturally diverse environments.

Advisory Teams:Each team consists of 12-16 Soldiers, led by experienced NCOs and officers, who live and work alongside partner forces to build trust and institutional capacity.
Training Pipeline: Soldiers undergo a 6-month qualification course at the Security Force Assistance Academy, focusing on language skills, cultural awareness, and small-unit tactics.
Command Structure: The brigade is organized into three infantry battalions and a support battalion, enabling scalable deployment across multiple regions.
Deployment Model: Units typically deploy for 9-12 months, rotating in and out of theaters like Afghanistan, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific to support U.S. strategic objectives.
Partner Integration: The 1st SFAB works closely with State Department officials and Special Operations Forces to align military training with broader diplomatic and security goals.
Performance Metrics: Success is measured by increased partner force readiness, reduced dependency on U.S. support, and improved operational effectiveness in joint missions.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1st SFAB with a conventional Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT):

Feature	1st SFAB	IBCT
Primary Mission	Train, advise, and assist foreign forces	Direct combat and offensive operations
Unit Size	Approximately 800 personnel	3,000–4,000 personnel
Deployment Duration	9–12 months	6–9 months
Combat Role	Non-combat advisory	Frontline combat
Training Focus	Cultural awareness, language, mentoring	Weapons, tactics, and large-scale operations

This table highlights the specialized nature of the 1st SFAB. While IBCTs are built for high-intensity warfare, the SFAB is optimized for long-term security partnerships, enabling sustainable military development in allied nations. This distinction allows the U.S. Army to maintain global presence without overextending combat units.

Why It Matters

The 1st SFAB plays a crucial role in advancing U.S. national security by strengthening alliances and promoting regional stability through military cooperation. Its success has led to the expansion of the SFAB model across the Army.

Force Multiplier: By training foreign troops, the 1st SFAB enables local forces to take lead security roles, reducing the need for U.S. boots on the ground.
Cost Efficiency: Advisory missions are significantly less expensive than full-scale deployments, saving billions in operational costs over time.
Diplomatic Tool: The brigade strengthens military-to-military relationships, serving as a soft power asset in U.S. foreign policy.
Lessons from Iraq/Afghanistan: The SFAB model addresses past shortcomings where insufficient partner force training led to rapid collapse after U.S. withdrawal.
Scalability: The success of the 1st SFAB led to the creation of five additional SFABs by 2020, expanding U.S. advisory capacity globally.
Future of Warfare: As great power competition grows, the 1st SFAB exemplifies a shift toward indirect engagement and coalition building over direct confrontation.