1. . Col. Joseph Pace, Mission Command Training Program
September 05. 2013 1:04PM
Operations Group Alpha trains troops downunder
Mission Command Training Program’s Operations Group Alpha went “down under” July 15-31 to
support a biennial Talisman Saber exercise in Enoggera, Australia. Talisman Saber is a U.S.-led,
Australian supported exercise to improve combat training, readiness and interoperability across a
wide spectrum of military activities.
“With over 20,000 U.S. troopsparticipatingin Australiaalone, the exercise was large in scope, taking
place throughout Queensland, Australia, selected areas of the Coral Sea, Hawaii and at Joint Base
Lewis-McChord,” said Col. John Allred, chief of OperationsGroup Alpha, Mission Command Training
Program.
Operations Group Alpha’s primary mission was to help train and coach I Corps, America’s “team of
teams,” headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
MCTP’s seasoned observer/coach trainers worked with the I Corps staff throughout the past year by
providing analysis, sharing best practices and coaching the newly formed staff as they executedtheir
mission.
Thisexercise affordedI Corps the opportunity to train to become a joint task force. OperationsGroup
Alpha began work with I Corpsback in January when the exercise trainingobjectives, processandend
state started taking shape.
“Operations Group Alpha provided a critical element to the overall success of Talisman Saber-13,
training both U.S. and our collation partners, thereby helping to strengthen our partnership with
Australia,” Allred said.
Operations Group Alpha was augmented with other observer/coachtrainersfrom MCTP to provide I
Corps with additional mentors. Operations Group Alpha completed its analysis of I Corps’ operation
order and other documents the corps staff produced before their departure to Australia.
“Thisisa U.S.-led, Australian-supportedtraining exercise conductedprimarily inAustraliato improve
combat training, readiness and interoperability across a wide spectrum of military actions,” said Lt.
Gen. Robert Brown, commander of I Corps and the Coalition Force Land Component. “This exercise
is a major undertaking that reflectsthe closenessof our alliance with Australia and the strength of the
ongoing military-to-military relationship.”
The MCTP contingent returnedfromAustraliaandJoint Base Lewis-McChordin late July, completing
their fourth large scale, multinational exercise this year.
With at least two more exercises scheduled for this year, MCTP’s Ops Group Alpha, and other
operations groups are ready to travel again to bring their unique teaching and coaching mentorship.
Their next training event will be at Fort Drum, N.Y.