Related Media
Cutline 1
-
Cutline 2
SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/18/2015)(readMedia)-- Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs
SRINGFIELD, Ill. – Approximately 25 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers are in Jordan participating in exercise Eager Lion 15 until May 20 at the Jordanian Armed Forces Joint Training Center in Amman, Jordan.
Hosted by the Jordanian Armed Forces for the last five years, Eager Lion is a multinational training event supported by nearly 20 countries.
The exercise has wide participation of servicemembers and civilians with military branches, ministries, security agencies, governmental and nongovernmental organizations from the collective nations all working together.
The Illinois National Guard Soldiers are subject matter experts handpicked to assist in the training of a combined joint task force. The Guardsmen operate as part of a simulated higher command for the task force.
"This is a great opportunity for the Illinois National Guard," said Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia of Chatham, Illinois, the Land Forces Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard. "The Illinois National Guard has participated in several major training exercises across the United States and the world. Eager Lion is a unique opportunity as it brings so many countries and organizations together including all branches of the U.S. military to work as one operating force."
During the exercise servicemembers and civilians work together exchanging military expertise to improve operations, communications and relationships among partner nations. This simulates joint deployed environments where different countries and organizations work together in support of overseas operations.
In recent years the Illinois National Guard has conducted combined and joint training exercises in Poland, Japan, Korea, Germany, Latvia and Botswana as well as hosted exercises in Illinois.
Cutline 1: Approximately 25 Illinois National Guard Soldiers from units across the state traveled to Jordan to participate in Exercise Eager Lion 15 until May 20 at the Jordanian Armed Forces Joint Training Center in Jordan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho/released)
Cutline 2: Lt. Col. Stanley Manes of Mount Pulaski, Illinois, the battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment and an operations officer with the Illinois National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters describes the mission of Exercise Eager Lion to members of the Jordanian Armed Forces' Military Staff College May 7 at the Jordanian Armed Forces Joint Training Center is Jordan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho/released)
