JORDAN ARMED FORCES BASE, Jordan - The Jordan desert zoomed beneath their feet as the Soldiers flew swiftly across the terrain in the late afternoon of May 28.
Canadian and Jordanian special operation forces departed on Black Hawk helicopters and headed out for their chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear mission as part of Exercise Eager Lion 2014.
The Canadian SOF worked with the Jordanian military for over a year as they conducted training on CBRN equipment.
“This exercise is to showcase their tactical expert ability with the CBRN equipment they have been training on,” said Chris Nodal, the CBRN warrant officer in charge of technical proficiency. “We wanted them to be comfortable with the equipment and confident with their capabilities. They learned how to use Chemical detection equipment and sampling equipment and today they are taking the lead on this exercise.”
Eager Lion 2014 is the fourth annual multinational exercise designed to enhance partner interoperability and promote regional security and stability.
Capt. Chris Wood, Canadian Special Operations Ground Forces commander (CANSOFCOM) for the CBRN exercise Eager Lion 2014, took guidance from the Jordanian troops to accomplish the exercise.
“This was not a mentorship,” said Wood. “We are in this together. We are a team. Eager Lion is about integration and the Jordanians are in the lead here. We are following that lead.”
Technical and tactical proficiency on the equipment along with integration of multinational Soldiers was the objective for this mission and Wood feels they accomplished that goal.
“Jordan is a very capable nation,” said Wood. “It has been a great experience to work with the Jordanians in their country. They are motivated and put in the extra hours to accomplish the mission. They are ready for any mission put in front of them.”
Wood said that the mission proved the Jordanians are ready to take the lead for the CBRN capabilities.
The training completed by CANSOF-COM during this exercise is in support of the Government of Canada's Global Partnership Program an the CBRN Strategy, both of which focus on preventative measures against CBRN threats to prevent and reduce the effects of a CBRN terrorist attack and increase global security.