The Eager Lion 2019 military drill kicked off Sunday (August 25th) with the participation of 8,000 security personnel representing 29 countries, Jordanian media reported.
Eager Lion spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Thalji said the exercise will help the Jordanian armed forces align with those of participating countries to enhance anti-terrorism co-operation and preparedness.
Speaking at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre, Thalji said the drill provides training on conventional and non-conventional operations, as well as procedures for command and control and cybersecurity.
The drill, which will continue until September 5th, is part of a Jordanian effort to enhance relations with participating countries in all military fields, mainly those pertaining to training, he said.
It seeks to enhance the Jordanian Armed Forces’ ability to work through field training and forums, in addition to enhancing co-ordination mechanisms with crisis management institutions, he added.
Thalji said Eager Lion is among the kingdom's largest and most important drills, in terms of the number of participating land, marine and air forces.
US Central Command’s director of exercises and training Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Swanson said the joint training helps to develop new ideas and scenarios that can improve countries’ abilities to assess their operation environment.
Swanson said drills in particular highlight the importance of working in unfamiliar environments, which increases the value and benefit of collective action and joint training.
