The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSG ARG) and embarked Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) commenced their participation in Exercise Eager Lion 2013, June 9.
Eager Lion is a multilateral exercise held annually in Jordan, and is a continued effort to support military-to-military partnerships and enhance security and stability in the region.
“International exercises like these are important because they strengthen ties and promote interoperability between countries,” said Amphibious Squadron Four commodore, Capt. Brad Skillman. “We are delighted to be working with our JAF long-time partners and we are looking forward to a valuable, and exciting, exercise.”
Scenarios will run the gamut of operational capabilities; from ground and naval operations, to humanitarian and disaster relief.
More than 8,000 service members from 19 countries will participate in Eager Lion this year, 4,500 of which are coming from U.S. branches.
“Just as U.S. units train together to be effective, we do the same out here with our partners,” said Skillman. “Now is the time to learn how [each country thinks and prepares], and develop a mutual understanding [during operations].”
The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
[mappress] Press Release, June 12, 2013; Image: US Navy