U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA) announced the U.S. Army will locate a new Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Benning, bringing approximately 500 new troops to the Columbus area by October 2017.

This announcement is the first of a total of six newly planned security force missions by the U.S. Army. The news comes on the heels of last week’s announcement that the U.S. Army would locate two new missions at Fort Benning that would bring 85 positions to Columbus.

“The rebuilding of our armed forces to strengthen our national security has begun, and Fort Benning is an ideal location for this mission,” said Senator Johnny Isakson. “I look forward to working with the U.S. Army and the Columbus community as the implementation of this plan proceeds.”

“Fort Benning continues to be the premier training installation for the United States Army,” said Senator David Perdue, a member of the Armed Services Committee. “Establishing the Army’s first Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Benning will bring roughly 500 new positions to Columbus. This, along with the news last week about the Security Force Assistance Proponency and Military Advisor Training Academy, better positions Fort Benning to play a major role in our Army's growth. This decision by the Army is certainly reflective of the hard work of the Chattahoochee Valley community who make Fort Benning an incredibly competitive and capable base.”

With this basing decision, Fort Benning will become the U.S. Army’s headquarter element for the Security Force Assistance mission to “train, advise, and assist” with the security forces of partner nation militaries. Fort Benning is home to the Maneuver Center of Excellence.

The Maneuver Center of Excellence includes both the U.S. Army Infantry School and the U.S. Army Armor School, which serves as the initial and advanced level of military education and training centers for both maneuver elements. On February 9, 2017, it was announced that the U.S. Army would locate their Security Force Assistance headquarter element at Fort Benning’s Maneuver Center of Excellence, bringing approximately 15 personnel.

Additionally, on February 9, 2017, it was announced that Fort Benning would also receive the Military Advisor Training Academy, where U.S. soldiers both enlisted and officers will be trained to perform the Security Force Assistance mission. This component will bring approximately 70 personnel, in addition to students that will rotate through the program.

Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02) and Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03) also praised the United States Army’s decision to add a Security Force Assistance Brigade to Fort Benning. This brigade will add 500 positions to Fort Benning and is in addition to the 85 positions that were announced last week.
 
“It is a great day for Columbus and Southwest Georgia,” said Congressman Bishop. “The addition of a Security Force Assistance Brigade further enhances the already vital role that Fort Benning has in global operations. The Army's decision underscores Fort Benning’s ability to efficiently develop and provide support for our foreign allies, and highlights Fort Benning’s role as a key national security asset."
 
“This announcement is a testament to Fort Benning’s key role as one of our nation’s most valuable Army bases,” said Ferguson. “For almost a hundred years, Fort Benning has been an anchor to the greater Columbus community, and I proudly welcome these new troops to our area. The addition of the new mission reinforces the central role that Fort Benning and the Columbus area play in strengthening our national security.”
 
The SFA brigade is the first of six newly established units responsible for security force assistance operations in support of U.S. Combatant Commander requirements. The 500 position team will train, advise, and assist U.S. allies with military operations. Standing up the brigade is essential to achieving the nation’s security policies and objectives.
 
Stationing the SFA brigade at Fort Benning aligns the unit with the Training and Doctrine Command's Maneuver Center of Excellence, which owns the Army's security assistance training mission. Last week, the Army announced that 85 positions would move to Fort Benning to support the SFA proponency office and the Military SFA Adviser Training Academy. The Army plans to activate the new brigade in October 2017.