This monograph examines how the US military can better provide aviation-based security forces assistance (SFA) to developing Western African nations currently engaged in operations against rebel groups. To increase the effectiveness of SFA in Western Africa, the US Air Force (USAF) will need to refocus its efforts from merely training pilots in operations to educating officers in airpower theory development. In order to support this effort, the USAF must work through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to ensure partner nations can procure the equipment best able to support their national airpower theory and doctrine. Finally, the USAF should work with the US Army to create a joint security force assistance unit that integrates capabilities from both services. This monograph analyzes case studies of aviation development in Vietnam and Afghanistan, in order to assess past and current aviation-based SFA efforts to derive lessons learned and best practices for future implementation.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student author and do not necessarily represent the views of the US Army Command and General Staff College or any other government agency. (References to this study should include the foregoing statement.)