Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D) and Cory Gardner (R) today announced that the U.S. Army has selected Fort Carson to activate a new Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), a unit whose core mission is to conduct advise and assist operations with allied and partner nation forces.
“The decision to station the 800 soldiers and their families who will make up the new Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Carson recognizes the assets the installation brings to the mission as a top requested post,” Bennet said. “Fort Carson leadership and the surrounding communities have made Colorado the best place to train, live, and work. We’re confident the Army’s security force assistance mission will benefit from the superb soldiers who call Colorado home.”
“I recently met with the Secretary of the Army to highlight the importance of locating the 4th Security Forces Assistance Brigade to Fort Carson,” Gardner said. “I’m thrilled that this is becoming a reality. It further demonstrates the important role Fort Carson has for our national security and military readiness as the men and women of this brigade will contribute to missions with allied nations and partners around the world.”
Bennet and Gardner last week met with the Secretary of the Army, Dr. Mark T. Esper, to discuss, among other issues, the potential selection of Fort Carson for the SFAB.
SFABs are specialized units consisting of approximately 800 officers and non-commissioned officers who have proven expertise leading combat units and are specially trained to advise foreign security forces. SFABs also can serve as the leadership nucleus around which to grow a new brigade combat team should the Army need to expand rapidly.
According to the Army, the decision to activate an SFAB at Fort Carson was based on strategic and operational considerations, including the ability to man the specialized unit with the required senior grade personnel, availability of installation infrastructure to support training and deployment, and facility costs. Establishing dedicated units to perform security force assistance increases Army proficiency, strengthens allies and partners, and improves readiness by reducing demand on brigade combat teams.