Jordanian Troops Trained at Fort Carson
Military personnel from Jordan and three U.S. states have concluded a two-week security exercise in Colorado.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Military
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More than 200 military personnel have wrapped up a joint training exercise at Fort Carson. The drills, which included members of the Colorado, Illinois, and Utah National Guard, focused on counterterrorism and regional security.
Why it matters
The collaboration highlights the long-standing State Partnership Program, which has linked Colorado and Jordan since 2004. Strengthening military-to-military ties remains a strategic priority following recent regional escalations.
The two-week training session involved over 200 service members from three U.S. states and Jordan. The partnership has been active since 2004, with the current drill marking a significant engagement under the State Partnership Program.
The players
Colorado National Guard
This state military force manages the Regional Training Institute at Fort Carson and maintains a long-term partnership with the Jordanian Armed Forces.
Jordanian Armed Forces
This military organization is a primary U.S. ally in the Middle East and a participant in the State Partnership Program.
The details
Hosted at the Regional Training Institute at Fort Carson, the exercise covered air defense, maritime security, cyber operations, and disaster response. The training occurred against the backdrop of increased regional instability, including the February start of Iranian targeting of Jordanian bases and the death of three U.S. service members at Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in July.
Timeline
Colorado began its partnership with Jordan in 2004.
Iran began targeting Jordanian bases in February 2026.
Three U.S. service members were killed in Jordan in July 2026.
The two-week exercise concluded on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the State Partnership Program often raise concerns regarding the potential for U.S. troops to be drawn into regional conflicts. Critics argue that deepening these military-to-military ties could complicate local diplomatic neutrality in volatile regions.
While the exercise has concluded, residents may have observed increased military activity and air traffic near Fort Carson during the two-week window. The drills signify a deepening of regional security ties that may influence local civil-military relations moving forward.
The takeaway
The successful completion of this training reinforces the stability of the Colorado-Jordan partnership despite a volatile Middle Eastern security climate. Ongoing cooperation through such programs serves as a cornerstone of modern international defense strategy.
Further reading
For more information on defense initiatives in the region, visit the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Springs Gazette.
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