1st SFAB begins advising mission with vehicle maintenance training in Senegal

This was the 1st SFAB’s first advising mission after being allocated to U.S. Africa Command, and the first-ever employment of the new security force assistance brigades in Africa.

“Improving the logistics capabilities of our partners in the Senegalese Armed Forces, to extend their operational reach is an essential task."

By Lt. Col. Matthew Fontaine , 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade Dakar, Senegal May 07, 2020

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Logistics Advisor Team 1610, 6th Battalion, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), delivered a three-week long vehicle maintenance and recovery course in Dakar, Senegal, March 2-21, to enhance the Senegalese Armed Forces' ability to keep their military moving.

"We are excited that the Security Force Assistance Brigade has begun its work in Senegal. Their strategy of conducting engagements through persistent presence in-country improves outcomes, as it allows them to gain a better understanding of the needs and capabilities of the partner force,” said U.S. Army Col. Gwyn Carver, Defense Attaché, U.S. Embassy in Senegal. “This will pay dividends for the Senegalese military, and just as importantly I know that taking on the challenge of working with a partner nation force as capable as Senegal's will provide the SFAB with an invaluable experience for future deployments."

The Senegalese Armed Forces support United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, and being able to recover a vehicle that breaks down or gets stuck is critically important to their missions.

The U.S. Army advisors from Fort Benning provided advanced training on maintaining and recovering their armored personnel carriers, the M36 Puma. The Senegalese soldiers learned how to teach these techniques to their own teams so they can sustain this capability.

“Improving the logistics capabilities of our partners in the Senegalese Armed Forces, to extend their operational reach is an essential task for U.S. Army Africa,” said Col. Layton Dunbar, U.S. Army Africa director of logistics. “The U.S. Army’s 1st SFAB logistics advisors did a tremendous job training our Senegalese partners and enhancing their Armed Force’s readiness through this security cooperation event.”

This was the 1st SFAB’s first advising mission after being allocated to U.S. Africa Command, and the first-ever employment of the new security force assistance brigades in Africa.

The SFAB concept is the Army’s answer to the growing need to carry out security force assistance with partners and allies while also building and maintaining readiness for unified land operations.

Prior to this allocation to Africa, the first, second and third SFABs previously deployed to U.S. Central Command and partnered with Afghan or Iraqi security forces.

“Our mission is about way more than just training maintenance and logistics. It’s really about building long-lasting partnerships and enhancing their skills in order to increase their capability and survivability during operations,” said Maj. Michael Pachucki, 1st SFAB logistics advisor company commander.

Pachucki’s specially-selected and trained team of volunteers provided classroom instruction and hands-on training for preventative maintenance checks, vehicle recovery planning, winch operations, and standard operating procedures. They worked alongside their Senegalese partners and were impressed by their passion and skill.

“Every day the Senegalese were excited for training and utilized the hands-on practical exercises as an opportunity to showcase their previous experience with their newly learned skills. My team and I were truly impressed with their professionalism, experience, knowledge, and eagerness to continually learn,” Pachucki said.

The Senegalese soldiers told Pachucki they appreciated the training and requested more training on handling hazardous materials and how to efficiently distribute supplies and spare parts.

The coronavirus pandemic interrupted 1st SFAB’s operations in Africa. The unit is working with U.S. Army Africa and the U.S. Department of State to prepare for future security force assistance missions once conditions allow the advisors to return.

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1st SFAB begins advising mission with vehicle maintenance training in Senegal

This was the 1st SFAB’s first advising mission after being allocated to U.S. Africa Command, and the first-ever employment of the new security force assistance brigades in Africa.