(22 Apr 2018) LEADIN:
US and Jordanian forces carried out a joint military exercise focusing on chemical and biological defence mechanisms.
Sunday's exercise was part of the "Eager Lion" drill.
STORYLINE:
An alarming sight, but fortunately this is only a mock exercise.
US and Jordanian forces carried out a joint military exercise on Sunday as part of the "Eager Lion" drill, which has been held annually since 2011.
The drill focused on how to activate a mobile laboratory team in response to a simulated chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials smuggling incident.
Jordan's Chemical Support Unit and the US Marine Corps demonstrated the drill through surveying, collecting samples and decontamination process.
"Today we had the opportunity to work together with our Jordanian counterparts in a chemical biological radiological and nuclear defence scenario. For the scenario today we had the exploitation of a chemical and biological laboratory and a chemical and biological storage facility. What we showcased today is the similarities between the capacity and capabilities of both our forces," says Angelo Alvarez, US Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear officer.
"At the end we also had an opportunity to exercise the joint capability for a radiological scenario. In essence, it was a radiological exposure device that was located within a vehicle and the Jordanians had an opportunity to exercise a component of their counter-nuclear smuggling team."
The drill took place one week after the US, UK and France attacked Syrian government sites, targeting what they say were chemical weapons facilities.
But Alvarez insists this drill is not a reaction to the attack.
"This exercise has been scheduled previous to the incident that happened and this is the 8th evolution of this exercise, so it had nothing to do with the current events in the world."
Sunday's drill was held in Wadi al-Hajar, 23 kilometres east of the capital, Amman.
"This exercise was done through careful planning and tight technical and special execution," says Major Ahmed Amawi, head of training, Jordan Armed Forces.
"The goal from this drill is to give the experience for the (Jordanian) Chemical Support Unit team with our friends (US) on chemical survey and also taking samples and countering nuclear smuggling."
The "Eager Lion" drill will include also ground, naval and air forces, amounting to around 7,000 people taking part from the two countries.
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