Aqaba, Jordan. (February 15, 2025): For over forty years, the Kingdom of Jordan has been a major U.S. ally and a stabilizing force in a very dangerous part of the world. In this photo by Diver 1st Class David McMahan, U.S. and Royal Jordanian Navy divers participate in a surface supplied dive during Maritime Exercise 2025. This12-day American-led exercise included over 5,000 troops from over thirty nations. American and Jordanian Divers trained in explosive ordnance disposal, search and rescue techniques, vessel defense, and mass casualty response.

This is the ninth meeting for this event which has grown into the largest military exercise in the Middle East. This year’s focus was on maritime security operations, mine countermeasures, and steps to confront the twin threats posed by unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.

The Jordanians have long played a key role in allied security interests in the Middle East. This arid country is bounded in the north by Syria, to the east by Iraq, and the west by Isreal. Once a British protectorate, the Kingdom is considered one of the most moderate states in the region. In 2001, Jordan signed a “blue skies” agreement with the U.S. to allow free entry of military forces, aircraft, and vehicles into the kingdom.  

Currently, there are approximately 3,000 American troops based in the country and the U.S. provides substantial military, economic, and humanitarian aid. Both countries regularly participate in UN peacekeeping missions in Africa, Afghanistan, Croatia, and Bosnia.

This long-time American ally continues to be a stable, moderate friend in an otherwise troubled region of the world.