UK: Joint airdrop drill affirms UK's support for Jordan

By Associated Press

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RAF AKROTIRI, Cyprus (AP) - British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.´s support for Jordan and its commitment to regional stability, Britain's armed forces minister said.

Minister James Heappey said in a statement that Wednesday´s joint exercise of 150 paratroopers from Britain´s 16 Air Assault Brigade and 84 Jordanian parachutists demonstrates that U.K. armed forces "stand with Jordan against shared threats in the region."

Brigade Commander Brigadier James Martin said British forces will play a role in deepening "strong, historic bilateral ties in the Middle East and North Africa region, which are vital to U.K. prosperity and security."

The jump by the paratroopers - the Brigade´s lead assault force - took place during Jordan´s 100th year of independence.

The brigade is a key element of the U.K.´s Global Response Force, a versatile force that can quickly undertake assigned missions around the world.

"They are the soldiers of the future, ready to tackle changing threats around the world," Heappey said.

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade line up to board a C-130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade line up to board a C-130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

The British paratroopers jumped from a C130 Hercules transport aircraft flying at 1,000 feet that took off from RAF Akrotiri, a British air base on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Armed with SA80 and sniper rifles, light and heavy machine guns, an 81mm mortar and a light artillery gun, the British paratroopers were joined by Jordanian troops in assaulting a mock village.

The Brigade is also conducting other military exercises with Jordanian forces including infantry and artillery training.

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade sit on the apron at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and its commitment to regional stability, Britain's armed forces minister said. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade sit on the apron at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and its commitment to regional stability, Britain's armed forces minister said. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British paratrooper with the 16th Air Assault Brigade takes a rest before boarding a C130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British paratrooper with the 16th Air Assault Brigade takes a rest before boarding a C130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A C130 transport aircraft is seen in the distance after a drop paratroopers as part of a joint British-Jordanian airdrop exercise on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A C130 transport aircraft is seen in the distance after a drop paratroopers as part of a joint British-Jordanian airdrop exercise on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade sit on the apron at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade sit on the apron at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade await to board a C130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade await to board a C130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade attend instructions before they board a C130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade attend instructions before they board a C130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade march in single file at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus as they await to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade march in single file at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus as they await to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British paratrooper with the U.K.'s 16th Air Assault Brigade is assisted by another paratrooper before boarding a C130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British paratrooper with the U.K.'s 16th Air Assault Brigade is assisted by another paratrooper before boarding a C130 transport aircraft at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade sit on the apron at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

British paratroopers with the 16th Air Assault Brigade sit on the apron at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British paratrooper with the 16th Air Assault Brigade adjusts his helmet at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British paratrooper with the 16th Air Assault Brigade adjusts his helmet at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British paratrooper with the U.K.'s 16th Air Assault Brigade adjusts his helmet as he sits on the apron at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British paratrooper with the U.K.'s 16th Air Assault Brigade adjusts his helmet as he sits on the apron at RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus awaiting to board a C130 transport aircraft for an airdrop over Jordan as part of a joint exercise with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British RAF Typhoon aircraft escorts a C130 transport plane on its way to Jordan for an airdrop of paratroopers from the U.K.'s 16th Air Assault Brigade as part of an exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A British RAF Typhoon aircraft escorts a C130 transport plane on its way to Jordan for an airdrop of paratroopers from the U.K.'s 16th Air Assault Brigade as part of an exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A paratrooper from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade await the green light to jump from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A paratrooper from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade await the green light to jump from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Paratroopers from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade await the green light to jump from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Paratroopers from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade await the green light to jump from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A paratrooper from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade awaits the green light to jumps from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise condunted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A paratrooper from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade awaits the green light to jumps from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise condunted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A paratrooper from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade awaits the green light to jumps from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A paratrooper from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade awaits the green light to jumps from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A paratrooper from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade awaits the green light to jump from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A paratrooper from Britain's 16th Air Assault Brigade awaits the green light to jump from the C130 transport aircraft as part of an airdrop exercise conducted jointly with Jordanian soldiers over Jordan on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

C130 transport aircrafts fly between Israel and Jordan after a drop by paratroopers as part of a joint British-Jordanian airdrop exercise on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

C130 transport aircrafts fly between Israel and Jordan after a drop by paratroopers as part of a joint British-Jordanian airdrop exercise on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A C130 transport aircraft flies over the Dead Sea border between Israel and Jordan on its way to drop paratroopers as part of a joint British-Jordanian airdrop exercise on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

A C130 transport aircraft flies over the Dead Sea border between Israel and Jordan on its way to drop paratroopers as part of a joint British-Jordanian airdrop exercise on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Britain's armed forces minister says British paratroopers have trained together with Jordanian soldiers in an airdrop over the Middle Eastern country to underscore the U.K.'s support for Jordan and commitment to regional stability. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

UK: Joint airdrop drill affirms UK's support for Jordan

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