text: Stability
  8-115. The stability operations task of establishing security cooperation may include the BCT or selected
  subordinate unit(s), depending on the missions assigned, conducting SFA as a subset of security cooperation.
  SFA offers a means of support for security cooperation activities in support of building capacity of an FSF.
  As soon as the FSF can perform this task, the BCT or selected unit transitions this task within civil security
  to the host nation.
  INITIAL RESPONSE
  8-116. As the initial response phase normally occurs during or immediately after a conflict where the
  operational environment prevents civilian personnel from operating effectively. The operational environment
  is typified as nonpermissive. The objective of this phase is to improve the security situation, reducing the
  threat to the populace and creating the conditions that allow civilian personnel to safely operate. SFA in the
  initial response phase is normally required when FSF lack the capability or capacity to provide the required
  level of security. This phase often requires SFA efforts to help generate and train or assist new and existing
  FSF. This phase may require a combination of the types of SFA and considerable support, sustainment, and
  medical resources. BCT activities during the initial response may have to be conducted with multinational
  combat operations to consolidate gains, to include providing a safe, secure environment for the local
  populace. SFA efforts during this phase focus on improving the FSF capability and capacity so all security
  forces—U.S., other, and FSF—provide a secure environment and reduce the threat. Assecurity conditions
  improve, transition to the transformation phase begins.
  TRANSFORMATION
  8-117. In the transformation phase, SFA activities seek to assist FSF to stabilize the operational
  environment in a crisis or vulnerable state. The operational environment in this phase is more permissive
  than the initial response phase; however, military forces will often be required to provide security to some
  actors. Activities in this phase normally include a broad range of post-conflict reconstruction, stabilization,
  and capacity-building efforts, which the embedded provincial reconstruction team is essential for long-term
  success. Objectives in this phase include continuing efforts to improve the security situation, reducing the
  threat to the populace, building host-nation capacity across the stability sectors, and facilitating the
  comprehensive approach to assist FSF.
  8-118. The transformation phase represents a broad range of SFA activities to support FSF. The initial
  response phase differs from the transformation phase in the FSF capability to provide for a safe and secure
  environment. More specifically, FSF may have a level of proficiency to no longer need a permanent United
  States and FSF relationship for tactical operations. However, they may still need full-time advisors and
  support, sustainment, and medical assistance. Embedded provincial reconstruction team members will
  continue to play a vital role in assisting governance and development efforts throughout this phase. SFA end
  state for this phase seeks to establish conditions so the host nation’s security sector can provide a secure
  environment with its own security forces.
  FOSTERING SUSTAINABILITY
  8-119. In this phase, the focus of SFA continues to shift toward assisting institutions required to sustain
  FSF. This phase encompasses long-term efforts to assist FSF. FSF conduct independent operations and can
  provide a safe, secure internal environment. While SFA activities may be initially required during this phase,
  activities reduce as FSF become more capable and viable. The determination for the BCT to receive a change
  of mission from SFA is based on the policy and conditions of the operational environment. Provincial
  reconstruction teams and other forces may remain to support a theater security cooperation plan.
  SECTION IV – AREA SECURITY OPERATIONS
  8-120. The BCT engaged in area security operations is typically organized in a manner that emphasizes its
  mobility, lethality, and communications capability. Population-centric area security operations, for example
  to consolidate gains, are common across the range of military operations, but is almost a fixture during the
  conduct of stability-focused operations. Population-centric operational area security operations typically
  combine aspects of the area defense and offensive operations (for example, search and attack, cordon and