COLUMBIA, S.C. - Members of the South Carolina National Guard participated in Exercise Eager Lion 16, May 15-24, in Jordan. The exercise integrated U.S. and Jordanian service members working together to build partnerships.
Eager Lion is an annual training event put on by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as one of their largest exercises. It is scenario-based training designed to exchange military expertise and improve interoperability among partner nations. The South Carolina National Guard members worked as the Higher Control (HICON) staff, which served as the headquarters element for the overall exercise, monitoring scenarios and providing direction for the exercise participants.
In addition to the SCNG members, the HICON included Jordanian Armed Forces, U.S. Army and Air Force Reserve, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and civilian personnel, providing a joint service environment.
"Our mission was to meet the training objectives of the exercise," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Brad Owens, SCNG director of Joint Staff. "In order to do that we pulled together a room full of professionals from every service, in every branch, from every component…one team, one fight. We came from all over the world to form this coalition. We're all in this together."
Eager Lion consisted of scenarios that were disseminated from the HICON to the exercise participants who would respond as they would in a real-world situation. Scenarios included border security, command and control, cyber defense and battlespace management.
Owens explained that in addition to conducting a successful exercise, which provided realistic training objectives for the participants, another goal of the exercise was to strengthen partnerships between the U.S. and Jordanian forces. This was measured by the ability of the two nations to work together and overcome language and cultural barriers in order to meet the training intentions of Eager Lion.
"We are proud of our relationship between Jordan and the U.S.," said Jordanian Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Amjad Alzuobi, who served as the HICON and combined forces headquarters commander during the exercise. "It was really great for us to learn from each other."
Alzuobi added the Jordanian and U.S. partnership helps promote security and stability in the region and they are proud to host the U.S. in their country as a show of solidarity between the countries.
Eager Lion 16 was the sixth iteration of the exercise, but was the SCNG's first time participating. Lt. Col. Jamie Fowler, SCNG 122nd Engineer Battalion commander, explained that Owens and he visited last year's exercise to observe the training and decided it was an opportunity for the SCNG that shouldn't be missed. So, when U.S. Army Central requested a unit to serve in the HICON, the SCNG answered the call.
"The goal was to expose South Carolina National Guard Soldiers to experiences they wouldn't get working at the state level. Here they're working at the strategic level," said Fowler. "It's not your typical annual training you'd do in the state…It prepared our staff to work at higher levels…It provided broadening opportunities for South Carolina Soldiers to work in a joint and multinational environment."
Owens added that these partnerships are increasingly important in the current operational environment for service members and he was pleased with the success of the personal relationships formed with the Jordanian counterparts.
"I hand selected every one of you…and the reason I did was because I wanted to stand in front of you and congratulate you when you succeeded," said Owens. "I couldn't have asked for anything better than I observed here…You met every one of the expectations of the exercise and met the expectations of our partners."
As one of CENTCOM's premier exercises, much work and planning goes into each iteration of Eager Lion. It is a joint effort between all services and each partnering nation, and an effort that the South Carolina National Guard was a part of.
"We started planning Eager Lion 16 almost a year ago. Two weeks ago we started the execution phase and today we come to the end…so on this occasion, the closing ceremony, I would like to thank you all. All you've done has been highly appreciated," concluded Alzuobi.