By American Forces Press Service on Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
Patriots, F-16s May Remain in Jordan After Eager Lion Exercise
The U.s. could leave Patriot anti-missile batteries and F-16 fighter jets in Jordan following the tip of Exercise Eager Lion, a Pentagon spokesman said here today.
Jordan has requested the batteries, but Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has not yet reviewed it, Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters. Hagel is coming back from NATO meetings in Brussels today.
“When the secretary receives the request, he’s going to favorably consider it,” Warren said. “Jordan is a sturdy partner with us. We’ve a longstanding and robust relationship with the Jordanians, and we wish to do what we will to support their security requirements.”
The fighting in neighboring Syria has raised concerns in Jordan. The Patriot batteries and F-16s are going to Jordan to participate in Eager Lion – an annual exercise that this year encompasses 19 nations and about 8,000 service members. It’s scheduled to begin June 9 and to run through June 20.
About 200 U.S. soldiers of the first Armored Division based at Fort Bliss, Texas, deployed to Jordan in April to supply a nucleus of command and control capabilities if the fighting in Syria spills over into Jordan. About 120,000 Syrians have fled to Jordan to flee the country’s civil war.
Related Topic Tags