Jordanian Eastern Command

Jordanian Eastern Command المنطقة العسكرية الشرقية الاردنيّة
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 (2012 est.)
Garrison/HQ	Mafraq, Ruwaished, Zarqa
Colors	KA2 Desert Digital
Engagements	Six-Day War War of Attrition Black September
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier General Ismail Al-Shoubaki

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) deployed between the Iraqi border and Ar Ramtha on the Syrian border with some presence in Zarqa. 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.

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).

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 Central 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 Ismail Al-Shoubaki.

Units

• Central Command HQ
• Command & Control & Communication Group
• Command Defense Company
• Combat & Maneuver Units
  • 2nd Royal Guard Mechanized Brigade
    • Brigade HQ
    • Signal Company
    • 4th Royal Guard Mechanized Battalion
    • 6th Royal Guard Mechanized Battalion
    • 17th Prince Faisal Tank Battalion
    • SP Artillery Battalion (Attached from Command Artillery)
    • Anti-Armor Company
    • Service Company
    • Medical Company
    • Brigade Maintenance Workshop
  • 90th Martyr King Abdullah I Mechanized Brigade
    • Brigade HQ
    • Signal Company
    • 2nd Hussien Mechanized Battalion
    • 3rd Princess Basma Mechanized Battalion
    • Field Reconnaissance Battalion
    • SP Artillery Battalion (Attached from Command Artillery)
    • Anti-Armor Company
    • Service Company
    • Medical Company
    • Brigade Maintenance Workshop
• Combat Support Units
  • Command Artillery
    • Command Artillery HQ
    • 1st SP Artillery Battalion (18 x M109A2/3)
    • 5th SP Artillery Battalion (18 x M109A2/3)
    • SP Artillery Battalion (18 x M109A2/3)
    • Heavy SP Artillery Battalion (16 x M110A2)
  • 5th Field AD Brigade
    • Brigade HQ
    • 5th Field AD Battalion
    • 81st Field AD Battalion
    • Field AD Battalion
  • Command Engineer Battalion
• Service Support Units
  • Administrative Transport Group
  • Medical Support Group
  • Construction Group
  • Maintenance Group
  • Supply & Transport Battalion
• Command Training School

Unit Summary

Number	Unit Type	Equipment
1	Tank Battalion	M60 Phoenix, M577, M106A2
4	Mechanized Infantry Battalion	AIFV, M113A2MK1J, M577, M901 ITV, YPR-765 prat, M106A2
1	Field Reconnaissance Battalion	BMP-2, M113A2MK1J, Humvee, Al-Thalab
3	Self-propelled artillery	M109A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577
1	Heavy Self-Propelled Artillery	M110A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577
3	Field ADA Battalion	Pantsir-S1E, 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