security force assistance

The Afghan Air Force: A Harsh Lesson in the Expensive Game of Airpower Reconstruction

Riley.C.Murray — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 07:36:30 +0000

The Afghan Air Force: A Harsh Lesson in the Expensive Game of Airpower Reconstruction Riley.C.Murray Sun, 10/10/2021 - 3:36am

“Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence.”[1] British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, recognized the value of airpower as early as 1933 during the rise of Adolf Hitler, and his words hold to this day. The United States spent sixteen of the last twenty years and precious resources attempting to rebuild the Afghan Air Force (AAF) into a viable, self-sustaining military aviation component capable of supporting the democratically-elected Afghan government. The withdrawal of U.S. and Coalition forces in August of 2021, and the embarrassingly swift takeover by the Taliban, have left the AAF in shambles. Many pilots fled with their aircraft to neighboring countries, where their fate remains uncertain, while the rest are now in Taliban hands.

Taking a Bite out of the Elephant: How to Improve Security Cooperation

Riley.C.Murray — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 18:50:08 +0000

Taking a Bite out of the Elephant: How to Improve Security Cooperation Riley.C.Murray Sat, 07/17/2021 - 2:50pm

It is difficult to ascertain if a security cooperation initiative is effective or not. This could be in part because most of the indicators of success used by security cooperation stakeholders may not be focused on measures of effectiveness, but of performance, i.e., quantity of equipment delivered and number of units trained. As one begins to peel back the layers of an initiative, it becomes apparent that the necessary in-depth analysis which forecasts secondary and tertiary orders of effect may have been overlooked, along with critical, measurable metrics that explain how an initiative would specifically elicit a proposed reaction. The example utilized by Maj Croshier described the unanticipated difficulties of providing a C-208 fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft and Command and Control (C2) equipment to Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The focus of this initiative was placed mainly on the equipment, without fully accounting for the significant personnel, doctrinal, and maintenance challenges that would ensue.

Competing through Deception: Expanding the Utility of Security Cooperation for Great Power Competition

Riley.C.Murray — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:46:29 +0000

Competing through Deception: Expanding the Utility of Security Cooperation for Great Power Competition Riley.C.Murray Fri, 06/25/2021 - 10:46am

In the paradigm of strategic competition the United States should increase the use of strategic deception to impede competitor’s decision-making processes, increase rival competition costs, and better protect U.S. interests. Security Cooperation is an instrument that enables the generation of strategic deception by potentially confusing rival nations about what the U.S. interests and objectives are or even causing that rival to expend unnecessary resources. The United States Army is the service best postured to support combatant commanders to develop and execute strategic deception through cooperation. Executing any form of strategic deception entails a level of risk to reputation but provides the United States an invaluable tool in a geopolitical environment in which competition below levels of conflict has become the norm.

The Localization Strategy: Local Logic and Energy in Belgium’s Advising Mission to Niger

Riley.C.Murray — Sat, 29 May 2021 15:53:19 +0000

The Localization Strategy: Local Logic and Energy in Belgium’s Advising Mission to Niger Riley.C.Murray Sat, 05/29/2021 - 11:53am

The Localization Strategy: Local Logic and Energy in Belgium’s Advising Mission to Niger

By Pierre Jean Deheane

Introduction

Irregular Warfare Podcast: The Practice and Politics of Security Force Assistance

Riley.C.Murray — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 19:18:18 +0000

Irregular Warfare Podcast: The Practice and Politics of Security Force Assistance

An old (Nov '20) but excellent podcast with Dr. Mara Karlin, the new Principle Assitant Security of Defense for International Security Affairs. This is a good primer for anyone curious what direction U.S. engagment with allies and partners may be going over the next 4 years.

https://mwi.usma.edu/the-practice-and-politics-of-security-force-assistance/

Riley.C.Murray Sat, 01/23/2021 - 2:18pm

Read more about Irregular Warfare Podcast: The Practice and Politics of Security Force Assistance

Enabling the Success of the Army’s Security Force Assistance Brigades

SWJED — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 15:10:42 +0000

Enabling the Success of the Army’s Security Force Assistance Brigades SWJED Sun, 09/22/2019 - 11:10am

It is our responsibility to establish and foster a new culture unique to military advisers. A culture built around the small unit construct present in special operations units but ultimately unique. A culture that can enable joint operations, build capacity by identifying indigenous solutions to indigenous problems and who are confident working with partners outside the norm of typical combat operations.

A Governance Advising Framework for the Security Force Assistance Brigade

SWJED — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 19:30:35 +0000

A Governance Advising Framework for the Security Force Assistance Brigade SWJED Sat, 11/18/2017 - 2:30pm

Responding to the crisis of ineffective governance will require governance advising during all phases of military operations. We describe here the potential role of the SFAB in such a response.

Security Force Assistance Brigades: The US Army Embraces Antifragility

SWJED — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 13:39:00 +0000

Security Force Assistance Brigades: The US Army Embraces Antifragility SWJED Fri, 08/11/2017 - 9:39am

Should the Army prepare to fight other modern militaries like those of Russia and China, or orient on stabilizing war-torn states like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan?

The New Security Force Assistance Units May Be The Vanguard We Were Looking For…

SWJED — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 08:26:20 +0000

The New Security Force Assistance Units May Be The Vanguard We Were Looking For… SWJED Tue, 01/17/2017 - 3:26am

The Army will remain the only organization in our nation’s national security arsenal that enables the competent projection of national power to directly influence human activity.

So, You’re Going to be an Advisor?

Peter J. Munson — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:25:00 +0000

So, You’re Going to be an Advisor? Peter J. Munson Wed, 04/24/2013 - 3:25am

Ten easy to follow recommendations to help you become an effective military advisor.