US Army advisors prepare for Operation Combined Victory at Fort Leavenworth | Article

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Advisors from the 1st and 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB) honed their skills and operational understanding during a Leader Training Program (LTP) held at the Mission Training Complex, 18- November 22. The program is a critical step in preparing advisors for their roles in Operation Combined Victory 25-02, a validation exercise designed to test their ability to operate in complex and dynamic environments.

“The LTP will combine the force packages of both brigades to ensure that all SFABs are interoperable in large-scale combat operations,” said Maj. Loren Wampler, operations officer assigned to the 1st Force Assistance Brigade. security.

The LTP serves as a “hot start” to the scenario advisors will face during Operation Combined Victory (OCV) at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The program combines academic instruction with the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), allowing advisors to develop their initial advising outline and advisor support plan before executing their mission.

“The battalion staff gained a better appreciation of division operations through a day and a half of academic courses and two days of (mission analysis) planning. This is a good start to help us shape our training before moving to the OCV on how to advise and liaise at the division level,” said Maj. Richard Chapman, an advisor to the army who participated in the training.

During the week-long program, advisors received training on division-level operations, focusing on key warfighting functions such as intelligence, fires, protection and sustainment. These sessions were complemented by in-depth discussions on specialist topics including countering unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and airspace planning, providing advisors with essential knowledge to address emerging threats.

The breakout sessions allowed counselors to collaborate in small groups, applying their training to scenario-based challenges. MDMP sessions placed a strong emphasis on mission analysis, guiding advisors to assess the situation, identify key factors, and develop a counseling plan. This process detailed how advisors would integrate with partner forces, defining roles and responsibilities to ensure effective support.

“The LTP is important because it is the first time the task force teams have worked together as a staff and, for most, the first time we have learned about division-level planning and operations . It also gave the staff a reputation for conducting personnel planning, using the (Security Force Assistance Command Tactical Standard Operating Procedure) at the division level,” Chapman said .

Operation Combined Victory 25-02, scheduled to take place at Camp Atterbury, will immerse SFAB advisors in a realistic and complex scenario spanning the entire spectrum of the competition continuum. The exercise will validate their ability to assess, support, liaise and advise partner forces while managing internal mission command.

By preparing advisors to operate cohesively with foreign partner forces and U.S. units, the Leader Training Program reinforces the SFAB’s critical role in supporting global security cooperation and preparedness. As they advance toward Operation Combined Victory, these advisors are equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s battlefields with professionalism and precision.