9th edition of Eager Lion drill kicks off

AMMAN — The 2019 Eager Lion military drill commenced on Sunday with the participation of 8,000 personnel representing 29 countries. 

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Thalji, the drill’s spokesperson, said that the event contributes to developing the capability to align the armed forces with those of participating countries so as to realise strategic and tactical goals that can enhance cooperation and preparedness amongst participating countries in anti-terrorism efforts, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During a press conference at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre (KASOTC), Thalji added that the drill simulates joint action and training on conventional and non-conventional operations, as well as procedures for command and control and cybersecurity.

The spokesperson said that the event is part of the strategic efforts exerted by the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) to boost and enhance relations with participating countries in all military fields, mainly those pertaining to training. 

The drill, which will last until September 5, seeks to enhance JAF’s ability to work through field training and forums, in addition to enhancing coordination mechanisms with crisis management institutions, he pointed out.

Thalji noted that the Eager Lion is among the most important and biggest drills that JAF implements, in terms of the nature and volume of participating forces and countries, highlighting that this ninth edition is executed with 8,000 land, marine and air forces.

For his part, US Central Command’s Director of Exercises and Training Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Swanson said that the ninth version of the drill is held to face joint threats, noting that its importance lies in demonstrating commitment to partnerships to defend “our countries” with swift preparedness and response under unstable security circumstances.

Swanson added that the joint training helps reduce the threat percentages through developing new ideas and scenarios that can improve countries’ abilities to assess their operation environment. 

Military liason — whether through practical training, summits for high ranking officers or public visits — are effective ways to ensure “our full understanding” of strategic and operational opportunities, he noted.

Swanson said that drills in particular highlight the importance of working in unfamiliar environments, which increases the value and benefit of collective action and joint training.

The major general praised JAF’s efforts in planning and preparing for the drill, which would positively reflect on each phase and help achieve targeted goals. 

In addition to Jordan, forces from the US, Australia, Austria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Italy, Cyprus, Bahrain, Qatar, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Spain, the UAE, the UK, Tajikistan and Norway are taking part in the drill.