097 S01 Ep 34 – Warfighting at Scale: Planning, Leadership, and Lessons Learned in Large-Scale Combat Operations w/LTG Anderson of XVIII Airborne Corps

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the ninety-seventh episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guest is the Commanding General for XVIII Airborne Corps, LTG Gregory Anderson. 

 

The XVIII Airborne Corps was founded in January of 1942 just five weeks after the US entered World War II at what was previously called Camp Polk (what would become Ft. Johnson). They saw extensive service during World War II, throughout much of the various conflicts of the Cold War, Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and in support of the Global War on Terror. The corps is designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world and is referred to as "America's Contingency Corps." They have the Hollywood call-sign of “Sky Dragons” or simply as “Dragon” and the motto of “All the Way.”

 

In this episode, we provide a comprehensive overview of warfighting in large-scale combat operations (LSCO), highlighting lessons learned from division and corps-level training, planning, and execution. A key focus is the importance of mastering the fundamentals—fieldcraft, tactical movement, and field maintenance—particularly at the platoon through battalion level. Leaders discuss the tension between prioritizing high-end, division-level collective training and maintaining basic soldier tasks. Another major theme is the underutilization of the military decision-making process (MDMP), especially the lack of commander involvement and the widespread tendency to skip or rush through key steps such as wargaming and time horizon management. The discussion emphasizes that MDMP is not just a staff exercise; it is a leadership-driven process that must be rehearsed and refined to achieve synchronization and shared understanding across formations.

 

Additional topics include sustainment operations at scale, the role of the corps in shaping the deep fight and enabling the division’s close fight, and the enduring value of reconnaissance across all echelons. The episode critiques assumptions that technology can replace people, stressing instead that tools should enhance—not substitute—human decision-making. Best practices highlighted include commanders conducting and attending rehearsals using real planning products, emphasizing command-to-command dialogue, and enforcing the disciplined use of planning and training management tools such as the 8-step model. The episode concludes with a call for leaders to think creatively, embrace simplicity in execution, and invest in building resilient, cohesive teams. Ultimately, success in LSCO hinges not just on equipment or doctrine but on disciplined training, adaptive leadership, and a relentless focus on fundamentals.

 

Part of S01 “The Leader’s Laboratory” series.

 

Don’t forget to check-out XVIII Airborne Corps’ social media pages, their handles are ‘XVIII Airborne Corps’ on Facebook, ‘18airbornecorps’ on X, and ‘18thairbornecorps’ on Instagram as well as LTG Anderson’s previous episode as the CG for 10th Mountain Division, episodes fifty-six of ‘The Crucible.’

 

For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast

 

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