Photo By Sgt. Fenton Reese | A Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry soldier...... read more read more
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CAMP TITIN, Jordan – What had been a routine security assignment and final mission prior to returning home from a year deployment has become an experience these soldiers will never forget.
The U.S. Army’s Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry alongside Jordanian service members provides a security force to Camp Titin, Jordan, in support of Eager Lion 2012.
Eager Lion is an annual irregular-war themed exercise focusing on missions that coalition partners might perform during operational deployments in support of global contingency operations.
“This assignment is very different from what we’ve been through,” said U.S. Army Capt. Concho Moore, SECFOR company commander. “Eager Lion is a rare opportunity, and we are proud to be apart of it.”
Moore has had his share of experiences working with other branches of service and coalition partners. He said he sees this exercise as a stepping-stone for our ultimate goal of peace amongst nations.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to interact with other nations’ militaries,” said the 14-year-veteran. “It’s great to see a chance to build a trust and a relationship between outside nations that is usually only seen on an individual troop or soldier level.”
Working with others whether foreign or domestic is important because it forces you to think outside of the box and be open-minded in order to learn, said Gunnery Sgt. Alex Swearer, the anti-terrorism and force protection officer for Eager Lion 2012.
Swearer is the Marine Corps liaison for the SECFOR soldiers and is impressed with what he sees.
“They’re really good to go. Out of any coalition forces they are some of the best that I’ve worked with,” said the 13-year-veteran.
He said the professionalism and efficiency of the SECFOR soldiers is outstanding.
“It made my job a whole lot easier,” he said.
Swearer also seems impressed with the Jordanian service members.
“It’s interesting to see that the Jordanian security forces are beginning to understand our security points of view. They actually seem to be adapting to and adopting a lot of our procedures and operational character,” Swearer said. “I think that is a true highlight. It shows we’re positively influencing and making progress.”
Eager Lion 2012 and exercises like it are important because building these relationships now will be vital in the future, he said.
“We are heading into an area and time of uncertainty that is going to require combined coalition partnerships and cooperation.” He concluded. It starts with things as simple as guarding the ECP.
The entry checkpoint, also known as ECP, is where the majority of the relationships were built, seeing as how both the U.S. and Jordanian forces worked together to guard it.
This is where Army Pfc. Jonathan Simmons would have his first experience with combined operation, especially multinational, he said.
The 20-year-old, Tulsa, Okla., native has been with the unit for the entire deployment, where many of his fellow soldiers joined throughout the year. During this year, he has been deployed spending much of the time around fellow soldiers as a driver. That was until Eager Lion 12, he said.
“Until this I hadn’t had the opportunity to interact with any other branches being a driver,” said Simmons. “But, since being here it’s been pretty cool and I’ve learned a lot.”
He was originally unsure of how the interaction would be, but as time progressed, he found out that he and his Jordanian partners had much in common, he said
The language barrier actually turned out to be a common ground to build a relationship, said the two-year veteran.
“The Jordanians are pretty cool. Some speak little English and you’re trying to figure out how to explain something and normally that would be bad, but, it’s cool because you can see and know that they are doing the same thing in their minds. It kind of builds a bond,” he explained.
He has gained more than just an experience and built relationships, he also gained knowledge.
Through this makeshift communication, he has been able to learn a little bit of Arabic and teach a little bit of English.
These types of military-to-military relationships enhance partnerships to build capacity and improve mutual security.
Being able to interact and communicate without actually knowing a language or dialect allows for a better understanding of a culture and partner without intentions or purpose being lost in translation.
Moore and his soldiers firmly agree with this intent of Eager Lion 12.
“We are proud to be a part of this exercise and this opportunity,” he said. “We can only hope that we did a good enough job to be brought back again.”
“After nearly a year, the guys are definitely ready to go home,” the company commander said. “And this is a great way to end this deployment.”
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.12.2012 08:45 |
| Story ID: | 89816 |
| Location: | JO |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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