AMMAN, Jordan –
Senior military leaders from Jordan Armed Forces and U.S. Central Command announced the beginning of Exercise Eager Lion 2018 today at the Jordan Special Operations Command here.
Over the two-week event, several scenarios will test the training audience’s ability to plan and conduct counter-terrorism operations, border security, cyber defense and execution of joint logistic support operations. The exercise features thousands of U.S. and Jordanian forces, as well as several governmental and non-governmental organizations.
“As Servicemembers, we are responsible for maintaining an upper hand to defend our nations and protect our citizens,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jon Mott, America’s exercise co-director, “and Eager Lion helps us prepare our forces.”
Jordan Armed Forces Brig. Staff Gen. Mohommad Al-Thalji, Jordan’s exercise co-director, said that his country considers the United States its “strongest ally” and that Eager Lion – now in its eighth iteration – highlights that relationship to the broader Middle East.
“Exercise Eager Lion provides an opportunity to reassure the people of Jordan, Its uniformed services, its allies, and international partners as well that we are ready to protect Jordan from harm,” said Thalji.
This year’s iteration will introduce several new initiatives, Mott said: A basic skills course, held two weeks before the formal start of the exercise, familiarized participating ground forces with operational readiness procedures, and planners also increased the scope and role of civilian agencies from both nations into disaster response scenarios.
“Our intent, as it has always been, is to constantly evolve scenarios to mirror the threats this region and the world face every day,” said Mott.