Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Paratroopers from the Italian Army wait for their turn to go during a friendship jump over Jordan June 2, 2014, during Exercise Eager Lion. During this fourth iteration of Eager Lion, more than 12,500 personnel from over 20 partner nations participated in scenarios that simulated possible real-world situations in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

A paratrooper from the U.S. Army National Guard’s 20th Special Forces Group waits for jump approval during a friendship jump over Jordan June 2, 2014, during Exercise Eager Lion. The United States’ participation in exercises like Eager Lion highlights commitment to promoting security, stability and mutual interests in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Paratroopers from various countries fly over the Jordan countryside as part of a friendship jump June 2, 2014, during Exercise Eager Lion. This event helped strengthen the military-to-military relationship between special operations forces of some of the more than 20 partner nations participating in the annual multinational exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Paratroopers from various countries load onto a C-130 Hercules in preparation for a friendship jump June 2, 2014, during Exercise Eager Lion at an air base in Jordan. Interaction between multinational troops during Eager Lion helps lay the groundwork of cooperation for future possible contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Paratroopers from various countries load onto a C-130J Hercules in preparation for a friendship jump June 2, 2014, during Exercise Eager Lion at an air base in Jordan. Strengthening the relationship between special operations forces is one of the many ways countries enhance their interoperability during multinational exercises like Eager Lion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Paratroopers from the Royal Jordanian Armed Forces prepare for a friendship jump June 2, 2014, during Exercise Eager Lion at an air base in Jordan. Each year during Eager Lion, events are planned that showcase cooperation and enhance mutual military capability between partner countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Paratroopers from the U.S. Army National Guard’s 20th Special Forces Group help each other prepare for a friendship jump June 2, 2014, at an air base in Jordan during Exercise Eager Lion. Jumpers from Australia, Pakistan, Jordan, Italy, France and many others also participated in the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

U.S. Army Capt. Peter Fritz, left, a jumper with the Army National Guard’s 20th Special Forces Group, checks the parachute of a Canadian Special Operations Forces member before a friendship jump during Exercise Eager Lion June 2, 2014, at an air base in Jordan. One of the objectives of Eager Lion was to strengthen military-to-military relationships at all levels. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Paratroopers from the U.S. Army National Guard’s 20th Special Forces Group await their turn during a friendship jump June 2, 2014, over Jordan during Exercise Eager Lion. Working alongside fellow jumpers from countries including Jordan, Australia, Pakistan, Italy, France and more gave the Soldiers a chance to standardize the way they operate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

A paratrooper from the Italian Army waits for jump approval during a friendship jump over Jordan June 2, 2014, during Exercise Eager Lion. Throughout the two-week exercise, Service members from all career fields including special operations, maintainers and joint tactical air controllers interacted with their foreign counterparts as they strengthened tactical proficiency in critical mission areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Paratroopers from the U.S. Army National Guard’s 20th Special Forces Group indicate one minute left until jump time during a friendship jump over Jordan June 2, 2014, during Exercise Eager Lion. The 20th also provided jumpmasters to direct members from other participating countries, including Australia, Pakistan, Jordan, Italy and France, among others. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Paratroopers from various countries participate in a friendship jump over Jordan during Exercise Eager Lion June 2, 2014. One of the objectives of Eager Lion is to ensure partner nations have the ability to operate together when called upon by to meet common challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

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Paratroopers partner for multinational friendship jump

Published June 7, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

JORDAN -- Through Exercise Eager Lion from May 25 to June 8, more than 20 partner nations participated in various events aimed at strengthening military-to-military relationships at all levels.

One such event was the friendship jump, which allowed paratroopers from countries including the U.S., Australia, Pakistan, Jordan, Italy and France the chance to parachute out of a C-130J with fellow jumpers.