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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — U.S. Central Command concluded Exercise Eager Lion 2026 on Sept. 24 at Fort Carson after two weeks of training involving more than 200 military personnel from Jordan and the United States.
The 12th iteration of Eager Lion was the first hosted on U.S. soil. Training included joint command post operations, cyber defense and disaster response, with active-duty personnel and members of the Colorado and Illinois National Guard participating alongside Jordanian forces.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. William DiProfio of the Colorado Army National Guard said hosting the exercise at Fort Carson gave the two countries’ forces an opportunity to work together in a different environment.
“Every time we train together, solve problems together, and learn from one another, we strengthen the trust and readiness necessary to respond together when it matters,” DiProfio said.
Jordan and the Colorado National Guard have been partners through the State Partnership Program since 2004, conducting more than 500 military-to-military engagements. Brig. Gen. Mohammed Al-Maqdadi of the Jordanian Armed Forces said the joint training turned longstanding professional ties into practical and personal connections while allowing participants to exchange experience and learn one another’s procedures.
Jordan has hosted U.S. forces for previous Eager Lion exercises. Al-Maqdadi said bringing the training to Colorado allowed personnel to experience each other’s operating environments and reflected the depth of the countries’ defense relationship.
“This exchange strengthened mutual respect, built strong professional relationships, and reinforced our understanding that our partnership is based not only on training together, but also on shared professionalism, trust, and commitment,” Al-Maqdadi said.
The exercise also focused on preparing the forces for emerging challenges, including cyber threats, counterterrorism and drug trafficking. Al-Maqdadi said the U.S.-hosted training provided a foundation for further innovation, interoperability and readiness.
