Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander and Chairman of the Jordanian Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Al-Hnaity recently co-chaired the 44th meeting of the U.S.-Jordan Joint Military Commission (JMC) in Washington, D.C. Department of Defense Spokesperson Maj. Pete Nguyen provided a readout of the key discussions that took place during the meeting.
During the meeting, both the U.S. and Jordanian delegations reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing their security partnership, which plays a crucial role in regional stability. They highlighted the significance of their 20 years of defense cooperation through the National Guard State Partnership Program with Colorado. The discussions also covered various important topics such as addressing ongoing regional conflicts, countering the proliferation of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UASs), combating ISIS and other extremist groups, and maintaining security along Jordan's borders with Iraq and Syria.
The U.S. delegation commended Jordan for its humanitarian efforts in Gaza and its leadership in the region. They expressed gratitude for Jordan's involvement in the Defeat-ISIS coalition and praised the Jordanian Armed Forces for their efforts in promoting stability and security in the region. Furthermore, the U.S. officials reiterated their support for the modernization of Jordan's F-16 fighter aircraft fleet and pledged to assist in enhancing Jordan's air defense capabilities to counter UASs effectively.
Both parties emphasized the importance of their bilateral partnership and the necessity for continued cooperation to address mutual security challenges. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further advancing their robust security cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
