Air Force Times reports that “roughly 6,000 U.S. troops will take part in this year’s ‘Eager Lion’ exercise in Jordan from May 25 to June 8, a Defense Department spokesman said.”  

“Eager Lion involves a total of more than 12,500 troops from more than 20 countries, Cmdr. William Speaks told Military Times on Tuesday. The major U.S. units taking part include the Army’s 17th Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Armored Division; the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade; elements of the Navy’s Task Force 51/59; and the 407th Air Expeditionary Group.”  

“The U.S. troops taking part in the exercise will not stay in Jordan for military operations in the region, said Army Lt. Col. T.G. Taylor, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command. Last year, the U.S. military left Patriot missiles and F-16 fighters in Jordan to counter potential threats from the civil war in neighboring Syria, but Taylor said there are no such plans this year.”