Security Force Assistance brigade changes senior enlisted leaders at Fort Liberty
The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, based at Fort Liberty, welcomed a new senior enlisted leader Wednesday and bid farewell to its outgoing command sergeant major.
Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Fedorisin handed over responsibilities to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael “Chase” Fairbanks in a change of responsibility ceremony.
The 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade was activated in 2018 and is now aligned with the U.S. Africa Command’s area of responsibility. About 600 soldiers are within its six battalions.
Fedorisin is headed to work with a training unit in Germany, while Fairbanks arrives from the 8th Brigade Cadet Command at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.
Outgoing senior enlisted leader
Overseeing Wednesday’s ceremony was Col. Jason Clarke, commander of the 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade.
Clarke said that during Fedorisin’s time with the brigade, Fedorisin was dedicated to the “well-being of its soldiers and the mission.”
“His caring capacity for leadership has made the 2nd SFAB not just a professional organization, but a close-knit family, and we are extremely grateful for his dedication and sacrifice,” Clarke said.
Fedorisin said that during his past two years with the brigade, he’s worked “with and alongside some of the greatest Americans and advisors” in the Army. He thanked the brigade’s advisors for being professionals.
“You punch well above your weight, conducting all the routine actions and requirements designed for elements that are usually 10 times your size,” Fedorisin said. “Forward, you act as diplomats, tactical subject matter experts, platform instructors and embassy liaisons.”
Fedorisin said that during a senior leader conference that he attended in Zambia, the sergeant major of the Republic of Sierra Leone praised soldiers in one of the brigade’s teams he'd worked with.
Fedorisin said the Sierra Leone sergeant major told him he intended to model some of his units after the American unit.
American soldiers in a foreign sovereign nation earned respect and were “allowed to see behind the curtain," and provided feedback that would be implemented, Fedorisin said.
He said he is leaving the brigade as “a staunch advocate.”
He told Fairbanks he is working with a unit that often operates decentralized but said it will push Fairbanks “to new heights.”
Incoming senior enlisted leader
Clarke said Fairbanks is a “proven leader.”
“Together we will continue to be the force of choice, ensuring the security and what we do,” Clarke said. “As we transition from one remarkable leader to another, we must remember that our strength lies in our people, our commitment to teamwork and our shared dedication to our mission.”
According to Fairbank's biography, he enlisted in the Army in 1997 as an infantry mortarman and, among his assignments, has served with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; the 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Liberty; and the 63rd Armor Regiment at Fort Riley, Kansas.
His awards include the Bronze Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Ranger Tab.
Fairbanks, who kept his remarks short and thanked leaders for their trust in him, said he looks forward to serving with the unit and its advisors.
What the SFAB does
Following Wednesday’s ceremony, Clarke said the brigade transitioned last year to having “a full spectrum of operations.” The brigade's mission is to advise, support, liaise and assess, he said.
He said that the brigade is able to assist in crisis and in conflict, similar to how the 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade is operating in Europe to advise partner nations surrounded by the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The brigade is able to send logistic advisors to focus on partner forces’ logistic capabilities and can provide sustainment, fires, protection forces, engineers and artillerymen to teach partner forces how to sustain operations.
The brigade’s advisors are all noncommissioned officers who have been through career development and are volunteers.
Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at [email protected] or 910-486-3528.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Security Force Assistance brigade welcomes new leader to Fort Liberty
