| Jordanian Northern Command المنطقة العسكرية الشمالية | |
|---|---|
 Northern Command Shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 1970 – 2000 (12th Mech. Div.) 2000 – present |
| Country | Jordan |
| Branch | Royal Jordanian Army |
| Type | Mechanized Infantry |
| Role | Multi Role |
| Size | 15,000 - 18,000 (2012 est.) |
| Garrison/HQ | Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash |
| Colors | KA2 Desert Digital |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigadier General Khaled Al-Masaeid |
The Jordanian Northern Command (Arabic:المنطقة العسكرية الشمالية) is the Jordanian Armed Forces regional command responsible for the defense of the northern front against possible attack by Syria or Israel.
History
The Northern Command was formed in 1977 as part of a major reorganization of the Royal Jordanian Army. The Units that make up the command were transferred from the 12th Mechanized Division that was disbanded. Northern Command units are deployed from Ramtha through Umm Qays to the Zarqa River in a defensive posture that cover both Israel and Syria.
In 2000, King Abdullah II initiated a further re-organization and restructuring of the Jordanian Armed Forces, with the divisions being transformed into lighter, more mobile forces, based largely on a brigade structure and considered better capable of rapid reaction in emergencies.[1][2][3]
The 12th Mechanised Division was normally deployed facing west (towards Israel) and north (towards Syria) from the Zarqa river, around Umm Qais, to Ramtha. The western part of Jordan's frontier with Syria is a deep gorge along the Yarmuk River, but there is flatter ground further to the east where an attack could take place; Jordanian forces traditionally maintained a defensive posture along this sector.[3][4][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.[3][5]
This command was involved in many wars, including the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition and the war against the Syrian army when it tried to enter Jordan in the Black September conflict.
Organisation
The Northern Command commands regional units from Um Qais in Irbid to the Zarqa River south of Jerash, with a presence in Ar Ramtha. Brigadier General Khaled Al-Masaeid was appointed commander of the Northern Command.
Northern Command HQ
- Command Staff
- HQ Defense Company
- Command Communication Group
- Command Military Police
Border Guard Force (BGF)
- 2nd Border Guard Force Brigade
- Brigade HQ
- Command Staff
- Signal Company
- Medical Center
- Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
- Reconnaissance & Surveillance Center
- 9th Border Guard Force Battalion
- 10th Border Guard Force Battalion
- 11th Border Guard Force Battalion
- 12th Border Guard Force Battalion
- Brigade HQ
Combat & Maneuver Units
- King Talal 3rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade
- Brigade HQ
- Command Staff
- Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
- Signal Company
- Medical Center
- Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
- Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
- JTAC Team
- Command Staff
- Prince Hassan 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (YPR-765 pri)
- Imam Ali 8th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
- Prince Ghazi 18th Tank Battalion (M60A3)
- 16th Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)
- 51st Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla)
- Anti-Armor Company (Kornet-E)
- Brigade HQ
- Al-Yarmouk 12th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
- Brigade HQ
- Command Staff
- Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
- Signal Company
- Medical Center
- Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
- Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
- JTAC Team
- Command Staff
- Abu Obeida Al-Jarrah 24th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (YPR-765 pri)
- Sharhabeel Ibn Hasna 26th Tank Battalion (M60A3)
- Omar Ibn El-A'as 28th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
- 3rd Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)
- 52nd Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla) [1]
- Anti-Armor Company (M901 ITV)
- Brigade HQ
- Princess Aliyah 48th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
- Brigade HQ
- Command Staff
- Joint Fires Coordination Cell - Targeting Cell
- Signal Company
- Medical Center
- Vehicles & Weapons Maintenance Workshop
- Chemical Support Platoon (Attached)
- JTAC Team
- Command Staff
- King Abdullah 7th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
- King Mohammad V 14th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (YPR-765 pri)
- Ja'far bin Abi Talib 39th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (M113A2 MK1)
- 32nd Field Artillery Battalion (M109A3)
- 52nd Field Air Defense Battalion (Shilka,Strela-10,Igla) [1]
- Anti-Armor Company (Kornet-E)
- Brigade HQ
Combat Support Units
- Northern Command Artillery [2]
- Command Artillery HQ
- Prince Hamzeh 6th Heavy Artillery Battalion (M110A2)
- 12th Field Air Defense Group [2]
- Group HQ
- Signal Company
- Command Engineer Battalion
- 4 Mechanized Engineer Companies [3]
- General Support Company
Service Support Units
- Supply and Transport Battalion
- 4 Supply & Transport Companies [3]
- Command Maintenance Group
- Medical Support Group
- Administrative Transport Group
Command Training Center
Notes:
- 52nd AD battalion supports two mechanized brigades
- Subordinate battalions attached to combat brigades
- Each company supports a brigade
Unit Summary
References
- ↑ http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/emedsu/jords100.html%5B%5D
- ↑ IISS Military Balance 2004–2005, p.127-128
- 1 2 3 Rubin, Barry M; Keaney, Thomas A (2002). Armed Forces in the Middle East: Politics and Strategy. ISBN 9780714652559.
- ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - 1 2 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)