Jordan hosts 5th 18-country military drill "Eager Lion"

[Al Bhatti]

May 5, 2015

Jordan hosts 18-country military drill
Kingdom is hosting the “Eager Lion” drill for the fifth year

Jordan has kicked off a two-week military exercise with some 10,000 participants from 18 countries, many members of a US-led military coalition against Daesh, which controls much of neighboring Iraq and Syria.

The kingdom is hosting the “Eager Lion” drill for the fifth year, but amid dramatically different circumstances.

Since the last drill, Daesh has seized large areas of Syria and Iraq and is seen as a threat to the stability of Jordan, a Western ally.

Jordan’s Brig. Gen. Fahad Al Damen, in charge of joint training, told reporters on Tuesday that the rise of extremist groups mandates cooperation “to fight all aspects and types of terrorism.”

US Maj. Gen. Rick B. Mattson says the drill will include responses to conventional and unconventional threats, including border security.

Jordan hosts 18-country military drill | GulfNews.com


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Related threads:

Eager Lion 2014 Military Exercise

Eager Lion 2013

Excercise Eager Lion 12

Largest Joint Military Drill in Jordan

 

[Al Bhatti]

May 18, 2015

Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year.

A rocket is fired during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Jordanian forces practice a drill to free a ship seized by mock terrorists during 18-nation military exercises at Aqaba’s seaport, 330 kilometers (205 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Jordanian forces practice a drill to free a ship seized by mock terrorists during 18-nation military exercises off Aqaba’s seaport, 330 kilometers (205 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

A U.S. strategic bomber B-52 and two Jordanian F-16 aircraft participate in 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Jordanian forces practice a drill to free a ship seized by mock terrorists during 18-nation military exercises off Aqaba’s seaport, 330 kilometers (205 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Jordanian forces practice a drill to free a ship seized by mock terrorists during 18-nation military exercises off Aqaba’s seaport, 330 kilometers (205 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

A U.S. sniper team performs in a shooting drill during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Jordanian forces practice a drill to free a ship seized by mock terrorists during 18-nation military exercises off Aqaba’s seaport, 330 kilometers (205 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

 

[Al Bhatti]

Jordanian soldiers along with tanks participate in 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Rockets are fired during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

A U.S. soldier takes a break during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Jordanian and U.S. in addition to Italians participate in the final counter attack during the 5th annual exercise Eager Lion 2015, in the south-east desert of Wadi Shadiyah, Jordan on May 18, 2015. The final exercise included 2 U.S. B-52 Stratofortress Aircraft in a 35-hour mission from the U.S. to Jordan directly and back, Jordanian F-16 fighting falcons, high-mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS), 4 Royal Jordanian air force AH-1 Cobras, 3 U.S. AH-64 Apaches, Tanks, Anti- Tank Guided Missiles, and Heavy Machine Guns. (Photo by Jordan Pix/ Getty Images)

A solider watches smoke rising as they take part in joint Jordan-US maneuvers during the “Eager Lion” military exercises, in Mudawwara, near the border with Saudi Arabia, on May 18, 2015. The annual “Eager Lion” exercises includes the participation of 10,000 troops from at least 18 countries, and incorporates scenarios including disaster relief and air defense. (KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images)

Soldiers watch tanks advancing as they take part in joint Jordan-US maneuvers during the “Eager Lion” military exercises in Mudawwara, near the border with Saudi Arabia, some 280 kilometres south of the Jordanian capital, Amman, on May 18, 2015. The annual “Eager Lion” exercises includes the participation of 10,000 troops from at least 18 countries, and incorporates scenarios including disaster relief and air defense. (KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images)

Tanks advance as they take part in joint Jordan-US maneuvers during the Eager Lion military exercises in Mudawwara, near the border with Saudi Arabia, some 280 kilometres south of the Jordanian capital, Amman, on May 18, 2015. The annual “Eager Lion” exercises includes the participation of 10,000 troops from at least 18 countries, and incorporates scenarios including disaster relief and air defense. (KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images)

A solider watches smoke rising as they take part in joint Jordan-US maneuvers during the “Eager Lion” military exercises, in Mudawwara, near the border with Saudi Arabia, on May 18, 2015. The annual “Eager Lion” exercises includes the participation of 10,000 troops from at least 18 countries, and incorporates scenarios including disaster relief and air defense. (KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images)

 

[Al Bhatti]

A rocket is fired during joint Jordan-US maneuvers as they take part in the “Eager Lion” military exercises in Mudawwara, near the border with Saudi Arabia, on May 18, 2015. The annual “Eager Lion” exercises includes the participation of 10,000 troops from at least 18 countries, and incorporates scenarios including disaster relief and air defense. (KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images)

A Jordanian tank advances during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

U.S. soldiers take a break during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

A Jordanian helicopter fires during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

U.S. soldiers take a break during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Jordanian forces practice a drill to free a ship seized by mock terrorists during 18-nation military exercises off Aqaba’s seaport, 330 kilometers (205 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Smoke rises following an airstrike by a U.S. strategic bomber during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Smoke rises following an airstrike by a U.S. strategic bomber during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

 

[Al Bhatti]

U.S. soldiers take a break during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 280 kilometers (174 miles) south of Amman, Jordan, Monday, May 18, 2015. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week “Eager Lion” exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)

Eager Lion exercises bring military personnel to Jordan

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5/18/2015

2015 Eager Lion Military Drill concludes

Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF), HRH Prince Faisal Bin Al Hussein, Monday, attended a tactical exercise by participants in the 2015 Eager Lion military drill, in Eshidiya region in southern Jordan.

Also attending the exercise were His Majesty the King's Adviser for Military Affairs, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mashal Mohammad Al Zabin and Commander of U.S. Central Command Gen. Lloyd Austin.

Prince Faisal and senior officers of the participating countries were briefed about the exercise, which focused on adapting to modern warfare concepts in light of unconventional wars and testing various forms of armed forces' (land, air and sea) capabilities and their readiness, the Exercise Director Brig. Mohammad Salem Jaradat said.

Director of Exercises and Training at the U.S. Central Command, Maj. Gen. Rick Mattson, thanked His Majesty King Abdullah II and the Jordanian army's general command for hosting the exercise for a fifth consecutive year, pointing out that it was a valuable opportunity for the participants to discuss military topics of interest.

The final exercise included a number of scenarios communicating modern warfare, where a group of snipers fired on still and moving targets, while F-16 fighter jets of the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) and U.S. long-range B-52 bomber shelled selected targets, followed by heavy bombing by Jordanian artillery and the high-mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) on various targets.

Then, RJAF Cobra helicopters and U.S. Apache helicopters bombed fortified targets, to pave the way for ground forces to carry out counterattacks with live ammunition, using various infantry, armor and artillery weapons.

The 2015 Eager Lion military drill, which concluded today, began on May 5 with the participation of 10,000 troops from 18 countries.

2015 Eager Lion Military Drill concludes | Main News | Ammon News

 

[black-hawk_101]

As there is a high possibility that Middle Eastern force will fund the Jordan to procure 100+ EF-2000s or Rafaels. So any possibility that they will sell the remaining F-16s to PAF? Also KSA can easily provide them with 72+ F-5 to support the fleet which they have.

 

[Hindustani78]

Some more pictures.

U.S. and Jordanian forces practice a drill to free a ship May 18 during 18-nation military exercises in Jordan. Raad Adayleh/AP

A U.S. B-52 and two Jordanian F-16 aircraft participate in 18-nation military exercises on May 18 in Jordan. Raad Adayleh/AP

Jordanian soldiers and tanks participate in 18-nation military exercises May 18 in Jordan. Raad Adayleh/AP

 

[Hindustani78]

An M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires its 120 mm smoothbore cannon during a live-fire event as part of Exercise Eager Lion 2015 in Jordan, May 9. Sgt. Devin Nichols,/Marine Corps

Soldiers take a break during 18-nation military exercises in a field near the border with Saudi Arabia, in Mudawara, 174 miles south of Amman, Jordan, May 18. Some 10,000 troops took part in the two-week "Eager Lion" exercises hosted by Jordan for the fifth year. Raad Adayleh/The Associated Press

Lt. Sean Kim finishes a SCUBA dive near the Royal Jordanian Naval Base on May 15 in Aqaba during exercise Eager Lion 2015. Arthurgwain L. Marquez/Navy

A U.S. Coast Guardsman and a Jordanian service member practice visit, board, search and seizure drills aboard Logistics Support Vessel James A. Loux during Eager Lion 2015 near a Jordanian naval base in the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan, May 16. Arthurgwain L. Marquez/Navy

 

[Hindustani78]

The photographs in this post were taken during a combined live fire demonstration in Wadi Shadiya, Jordan, May 18.

They show a B-52H from 2nd Bomb Wing, from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, drop some 500-lb GBU-38 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bombs during the “monumental military demonstration” that was the final event of Exercise “Eager Lion” a recurring multinational exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability between partner nations, and enhance regional security and stability.

via The Aviationist

Noteworthy, the two B-52 Stratofortress bombers that marked the first participation of strategic bombers to Eager Lion, performed a 30-plus hour, 14,000 mile nonstop mission to the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

They coordinated the attack with Jordanian JTACs (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers) and, after the attack run, overflew the range escorted by two Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16s.

In addition to 5,000 U.S. servicemen, the two-week yearly exercise saw the participation of Jordanian forces as well as contingents from 16 other countries for a total force of about 10,000 troops.

via The Aviationist

The exercise was held among five sites across Jordan and based on the scenario of a friendly contingent committed to the aid of an allied nation under threat by an aggressive neighbor.

Along with the U.S. Air Force strategic bombers, Jordanian tactical planes and U.S. Army helicopters of the 185th Theater Aviation Brigade’s aviation task force, EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) teams, Seabees and patrol craft were used to perform port security in Aqaba, Jordan’s only coastal city, while a Marine crisis-response force out of Kuwait took part in the drills, practicing non-combatant evacuation operation (NCO) by means of MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft in the north.

U.S. Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response, Central Command, and British airmen with 51st Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment prepare to search a building for threats during a non-combatant evacuation operation as part of Exercise Eager Lion at the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center in Amman, Jordan, on Friday. Cpl. Sean Searfus/Marine Corps

U.S. Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response, Central Command perform riot control techniques during a non-combatant evacuation operation as part of Exercise Eager Lion at the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center in Amman, Jordan, on Friday. Cpl. Sean Searfus/Marine Corps