US, Jordan Launch Eager Lion 2026 Military Exercise in Colorado
More than 200 military personnel from the United States and Jordan are participating in the two-week exercise, including National Guard personnel from Colorado and Illinois, according to a CENTCOM statement released Tuesday.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The United States and Jordan on Tuesday launched the 2026 edition of the Eager Lion military exercise at Fort Carson in Colorado, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
More than 200 military personnel from the United States and Jordan are participating in the two-week exercise, including National Guard personnel from Colorado and Illinois, according to a CENTCOM statement released Tuesday.
The exercise is aimed at strengthening U.S.-Jordanian military cooperation, which CENTCOM described as a key component of security and stability in the Middle East.
“Our longstanding military-to-military ties with the Jordanian Armed Forces are stronger than ever,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said. “Working and training together will further strengthen our collective operational effectiveness and readiness.”
Eager Lion 2026 is the 12th iteration of the biennial exercise. This year’s training covers scenarios involving counterterrorism, air defense, maritime security, cyber operations, and disaster response.
Colorado has maintained a longstanding partnership with Jordan through the U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Program. The Colorado National Guard began its partnership with the Jordanian Armed Forces in 2004, establishing more than two decades of military cooperation and exchanges.
The State Partnership Program, established in 1993, pairs U.S. National Guard units with military forces in other countries to promote security cooperation.
This year marks the first time the United States has hosted the Eager Lion exercise.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 15, 2026