Jordanian Eastern Command

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