Jordanian Central Command

Jordanian Central Command
المنطقة العسكرية الوسطى

Central Command Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active 1970 – 2000 (4th Mech. Div.)
2000 – present
Country Jordan
Branch Royal Jordanian Army
Type Mechanized Infantry
Role Multi Role
Size 13,000 - 15,000 (2012 est.)
Garrison/HQ Amman, Balqa, Madaba
Colors KA2 Desert Digital
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		 Brigadier General Mahasen Mnezl Al Shra'a

The Jordanian Central Command (Arabic:المنطقة العسكرية الوسطى) is the Jordanian Armed Forces regional command responsible for the main front against Israel.

History

Since the major reorganisation of 1977 the Royal Jordanian Army has kept the Central Command (Formerly known as 4th Mechanized Division)[1] is usually deployed from Zarqa River, north of as-Salt to the Dead Sea in order to protect Jordan on its Israeli wing.[2] But in 2000 the 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.[3][4]

The 4th Mechanised Division was deployed facing west in the sector from the Dead Sea to the Zarqa river north of Salt. The Jordan Valley, which forms the natural boundary between the two countries along this sector, is a deep, winding depression and the line of hills to the east of the valley forms a natural defensive line for Jordanian forces.[2][5]

Jordanian forces have not been deployed in the Jordan Valley itself, where they would be vulnerable to Israeli air power and artillery. They were deployed on the heights above the valley in positions that enable them to obstruct any enemy movement up the routes to the central plateau leading to the main cities. There are a number of surfaced roads leading up to the top of the escarpment, about 800 to 1,200 m above the floor of the valley, but a well entrenched force could ensure that any enemy advance up those roads could only be attempted at great cost.[5]

This Command was involved in many wars include 48, 67, Battle of Karameh, War of Attrition and war against the Syrian army when he tried to enter Jordan in Black September event.

Organisation

The Central Command commands regional units from the Dead Sea to the Zarqa River north of Salt. The central command commander is Brigadier General Mahasen Mnezl Al Shra'a.

Units

Unit Summary

Number Unit Type Equipment
1
 Tank Battalion M60 Phoenix, M577, M106A2
5
 Mechanized Infantry Battalion AIFV, M113A2MK1J, M577, M901 ITV, YPR-765 prat, M106A2
2
 Self-Propelled Artillery M109A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577
1
 Heavy Self-Propelled Artillery M110A2 Howitzer, M113A2, M577
3
 Field ADA Battalion Pantsir-S1E, 9K33 Osa, Strela-10, PTRL, M163 Vulcan, ZSU-23-4 Shilka, Igla-S, 9K38 Igla, Strela-3
1
 Engineer Battalion M113A2, M35, CEV, Armored tracked bulldozer (CAT D6T, D7G/R, D8R, D9, Komatsu D155A), Wheeled bulldozer (CAT 924H, 966H), excavators, graders (CAT 12G, 120M), dump trucks, Backhoe loaders, loaders, M58 MICLIC, Aardvark JSFU, Combat Dozer UDK1 and Bomb disposal robots.
1
 Command & Control & Communication Group M577, M113A2, Humvee, RG-12
1
 Supply & Transport Battalion FMTV, M35, M800 & M900 Trucks, DAF4440/4442 Trucks, DAF YAK/YAS2300 trucks, Fuel Tankers, Toyota Trucks and many other vehicles.
1
 Medical Support Group M113A2 Ambulance, HMMWV M997 Ambulance, Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance, Mobile Field Hospitals on trucks.
1
 Maintenance Group M113A2, M88 Recovery Vehicle, M578 Light Recovery Vehicle, AL Monjed ARV, Chieftain ARV, YPR-806, M109 Van, M35 Trucks, M800 & M900 Trucks.
1
 Construction Group Wheeled bulldozer, M35, excavators, dump trucks, Backhoe loaders, loaders.
1
 Administrative Transport Group

References

  1. ↑ http://orbat.com/site/cwa/2010/asia/west%20asia/jordan.pdf
  2. 1 2 http://www.gloria-center.org/meria/2001/06/bligh.pdf
  3. ↑ IISS Military Balance 2004–2005, p.127-128
  4. ↑ Rubin, Barry M; Keaney, Thomas A (2002). "Armed Forces in the Middle East: Politics and Strategy". ISBN 9780714652559.
  5. 1 2 http://ihracat.ssm.gov.tr/TR/Documents/sofex2008/Mart%202008_%20Turkiye%20Urdun%20SSI%20Bilgi%20Notu.PDF
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