From the 2nd to the 6th of March, the NATO Security Force Assistance Centre of Excellence (NATO SFA COE) successfully delivered the first edition of the SFA Operators Course 2026, enhancing expertise in Security Force Assistance within a multinational framework.
The course combined doctrinal instruction with practical discussions, focusing on preparing personnel to effectively operate in advisory and capacity-building framework.
Key topics addressed during the course included:
– mapping stakeholders in an Area of Operation, visualizing the local context and identifying connections between actors, as well as internal and external threats;
– roles and responsibilities of SFA in the developing partner capacity Line of Effort (LOE);
– the importance of cultural awareness and Crossing Cutting Topics (CCTs) in NATO-led operations, NATO’s contribution to military operations and their impact on SFA activities;
– operational planning considerations for SFA activities.
Among the practical activities, attendees engaged in team-building exercises focusing on synergy and mutual trust to lay the foundation for a strong and collaborative team, and participated in role plays, acting as Advisors, successfully interacting with a local counterpart through an interpreter and applying the concepts discussed during the lessons.
At the end of the course, the Course Director, the Director of the NATO SFA COE, and the Commander of the Italian Army 2nd “Granatieri di Sardegna” Regiment delivered the certificates and thanked all participants and lecturers for their commitment and valuable contributions.
The SFA Operators Course 2026 marked a significant step in consolidating practical skills and shared understanding, further enhancing the capacity to deliver effective Security Force Assistance in complex and multinational environments.
