Jordanian Eastern Command

Jordanian Eastern Command
المنطقة العسكرية الشرقية
Eastern Command Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active 1970 – 2000 (5th Armd. Div.)
2000 – present
Country Jordan
Branch Royal Jordanian Army
Type Mechanized Infantry
Role Multi Role
Size 13,000 - 15,000 (2012 est.)
Garrison/HQ Mafraq, Ruwaished, Zarqa
Colors KA2 Desert Digital
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		 Brigadier General Mohammed Suleiman Bani Yasin

The Jordanian Eastern Command (Arabic:المنطقة العسكرية الشرقية) is the Jordanian Armed Forces regional command responsible for the North - East front against Syria and Iraq.

History

Since major restructuring in 1977, the Royal Jordanian Army has kept the Eastern Command (formerly known as 5th Armoured Division)[1] deployed between the Iraqi border and Ar Ramtha on the Syrian border with some presence in Zarqa.[2] But in 2000, King Abdullah II made a big step to modernize and restructure Jordanian Armed Forces when the Divisions have been transformed into a lighter, more mobile forces, based largely on a brigade structure and considered better capable of rapid reaction in emergencies.[3][4]

Jordanian forces traditionally maintained a defensive posture along this sector. A number of major roads link Jordan and Syria in this region, crossing undulating terrain with no natural obstacles. The important air base at Mafraq are less than 20 km from the border with Syria and are therefore vulnerable to surprise attack or artillery bombardment. As a result, Jordanian forces traditionally paid particular attention to their defenses in this region. The Sector from Ramtha to the Iraqi border was covered by the Eastern Command (5th Armoured Division).[2][5]

This command was involved in many conflicts and engagements, including the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition (and its Battle of Karameh) and war against the Syrian army during Black September.

Organisation

The Eastern Command commands regional units from Ar Ramtha and Mafraq to the Iraqi border with some units based in Zarqa. The Eastern command commander is Brigadier General Mohammed Suleiman Bani Yasin.

Units

  • Eastern Command HQ
  • Command Communication Group
  • Command Border Security
    • 1st Border Guard Brigade
      • Brigade HQ
      • 1st Border Guard Battalion
      • 2nd Border Guard Battalion
      • 4th Border Guard Battalion
      • 5th Border Guard Battalion
      • 6th Border Guard Battalion
  • Combat & Maneuver Units
    • Martyr Wasfi Al-Tal 2nd Mechanized Brigade
      • Brigade HQ
      • Signal Company
      • Field marshal Habis Al-Majali 4th Mechanized Battalion
      • Royal Guard 6th Mechanized Battalion
      • Prince Faisal 17th Tank Battalion
      • Weapons and Services Companies
      • Medical Center
      • Brigade Maintenance Workshop
    • Martyr King Abdullah I 90th Mechanized Brigade
      • Brigade HQ
      • Signal Company
      • Al-Hussien 2nd Mechanized Battalion
      • Princess Basma 3rd Mechanized Battalion
      • Prince Talal 5th Mechanized Battalion
      • Weapons and Services Companies
      • Medical Center
      • Brigade Maintenance Workshop
  • Combat Support Units
    • Command Artillery
      • Command Artillery HQ
      • 5th SP Artillery Battalion (18 x M109A2/3)
      • 12th SP Artillery Battalion (18 x M109A2/3)
      • 13th SP Artillery Battalion (18 x M109A2/3)
      • 25th Prince Rashid Heavy Artillery Battalion (16 x M110A2)
    • 5th Royal Field AD Group
      • Group HQ
      • 5th Field AD Battalion
      • 81st Field AD Battalion
    • Command Engineer Battalion
  • Service Support Units
    • Administrative Transport Group
    • Command Construction Group
    • Command Maintenance Group
    • Medical Support Group
    • Supply and Transport Battalion
  • Command Training Center

Unit summary

NumberUnit TypeEquipment
1
 Tank Battalion M60 Phoenix, M577, M106A2
5
 Mechanized Infantry Battalion AIFV, M113A2MK1J, M577, M901 ITV, YPR-765 prat, M106A2
3
 Self-propelled artillery M109A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577
1
 Heavy Self-Propelled Artillery M110A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577
2
 Field ADA Battalion 9K33 Osa, Strela-10, PTRL, M163 Vulcan, ZSU-23-4 Shilka, Igla-S, 9K38 Igla, Strela-3
1
 Engineer Battalion M113A2, M35, CEV, Armored tracked bulldozer(CAT D6T, D7G/R, D8R, D9, Komatsu D155A), Wheeled bulldozer (CAT 924H, 966H), excavators, graders (CAT 12G, 120M), dump trucks, Backhoe loaders, loaders, M58 MICLIC, Aardvark JSFU, Combat Dozer UDK1 and Bomb disposal robots.
1
 Command & Control & Communication Group M577, M113A2, Humvee, RG-12
1
 Supply & Transport Battalion FMTV, M35, M800 & M900 Trucks, DAF4440/4442 Trucks, DAF YAK/YAS2300 trucks, Fuel Tankers, Toyota Trucks and many other vehicles.
1
 Medical Support Group M113A2 Ambulance, HMMWV M997 Ambulance, Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance, Mobile Field Hospitals on trucks.
1
 Maintenance Group M113A2, M88 Recovery Vehicle, M578 Light Recovery Vehicle, AL Monjed ARV, Chieftain ARV, YPR-806, M109 Van, M35 Trucks, M800 & M900 Trucks.
1
 Construction Group Wheeled bulldozer, M35, excavators, dump trucks, Backhoe loaders, loaders.
1
 Administrative Transport Group

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  2. 1 2 http://www.gloria-center.org/meria/2001/06/bligh.pdf
  3. ↑ IISS Military Balance 2004–2005, p.127-128
  4. ↑ Rubin, Barry M; Keaney, Thomas A (2002). "Armed Forces in the Middle East: Politics and Strategy". ISBN 9780714652559.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
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