4,000 U.S. troops arriving in Jordan for major exercises

WORLD TRIBUNE ^ | Tuesday, August 13, 2002 | WORLD TRIBUNE

[Kennesaw]

4,000 U.S. troops arriving in Jordan for major exercises

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM Tuesday, August 13, 2002 AMMAN — Jordan is preparing for the arrival of thousands of U.S. troops for a large-scale military exercise later this month.

Jordanian officials said the 4,000 U.S. soldiers are sailing through the Red Sea toward the Hashemite kingdom. They said the first U.S. soldiers arrived on Monday, Middle East Newsline reported.

The officials said the exercises would not take place in the eastern areas of Jordan near the Iraqi border.

Western diplomatic sources said Jordan has imposed additional restrictions on the media on the eve of the arrival of the U.S. soldiers. They said the closure of Doha-based A-Jazeera television last week was meant to halt unauthorized reports on the U.S. military exercise.

Jordanian Information Minister Mohammed Adwan said Jordanian and U.S. troops would conduct a two-week exercise in a training area in southern Jordan. Adwan termed the exercise as routine and said the U.S. troops would leave the kingdom after the exercise. Adwan said Jordan is one of several Arab countries that conduct regular military exercises with the United States. He cited Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Jordanian officials said the U.S.-Jordan maneuvers will focus on improving the combat skills of the Hashemite kingdom as well as interoperability between the two militaries. The exercise will include special operations forces from both countries. They said the exercise will not simulate a U.S. military attack on Baghdad nor will U.S. soldiers operate along the Iraqi border.

The sources said the Amman government decided to preempt the arrival of the U.S. troops and release details of the exercise. The sources said Jordan and the United States have agreed to hold two ground and air exercises per year and that all U.S. soldiers will leave by Sept. 8, days after the completion of the exercise.

[Travis McGee]

Uh huh. Right.

I think the major parts of this exercise will be "seaport preparation", and "forward airfield construction".

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

Jordanian officials said the U.S.-Jordan maneuvers will focus on improving the combat skills of the Hashemite kingdom

More like protection from Saddam

[BlueNgold]

Looks like we may have learned a lesson in Afghanistan ...
There can be no free route of escape.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

methinks this is more than just training.

[Fundamentally Fair]

Ah, Travis--you think like a Logistician!

[colorado tanker]

This sends Saddaaam a pretty strong signal that he can't expect Jordanian support this time.

[sam_paine]

Jordanian Information Minister Mohammed Adwan ...said the U.S. troops would leave the kingdom after the exercise.

(....leave Jordan via Iraq, that is....)

[rs79bm]

I don't care about this. Troops are mobilized daily. I will only care when Saddam is ()&#$(*#^$&%^#%^$. !!!

[Uncle Miltie]

The animal is most dangerous when cornered. Best wishes, good luck, and God Bless the troops of the United States of America!

[Travis McGee]

LOL!

[Travis McGee]

We're also tightening the psyops screws on Saddam and his "loyal" troops.

[colorado tanker]

"The animal is most dangerous when cornered." Agreed. We, or more likely Israel, will find out whatever it is Saddaaam has managed to build since 1991.

"Best wishes, good luck, and God Bless the troops of the United States of America! Ditto!

[jae471]

Previous threads (all different sources)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/731829/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/731819/posts

[Mo1]

A large-scale military exercise ??? ... sure ok .. sounds good to me ..

[Freemeorkillme]

After routing the Philistines and upending Damascus, perhaps we can make an end run through Persia via Iraq.

Iranian instability isn't getting played in the media. Many feel Iran ripe for regime change(a situation Iran would not be in had it not been for the Carter legacy, in my opinion).

[July 4th]

I heard the same thing on ABC Radio last night, if you're looking for some confirmation.

[Centurion2000]

The animal is most dangerous when cornered.

Ah but they do have ONE line of retreat .... Iran .... which conveniently makes it easy for us to say "Turn the Iraqis over or you're next" to Iran.

[Mad Dawgg]

"4,000 U.S. troops arriving in Jordan for major exercises"

Would Sadam Hussein Please pick up the White Courtesy phone...

The Fates Are calling...

Message as follows:

Dear Sadam (Stop)

Your Number is UP (STOP)

Please stick your head between your legs... (Stop)

And Kiss Your Clymer Good Bye!!!

Message to Troops Face the Front and Don't stop till you are in Baghdad (Liberating the Young Lasses of this oppressive regime if you know what I mean!)

[Guillermo]

Maybe it's to invade Saudi and take back Mecca and Madinah.

One can only hope.