Special Operation Forces (Jordan)

King Abdullah II Special Forces Group
King Abdullah II Special Forces Group
Active	1963 - Present
Country	Jordan
Branch	Royal Jordanian Army
Type	Special operation
Size	N/A
Part of	101st SFU , 71SFU , 51 SSU
Garrison/HQ	Amman
Color of Beret	Maroon

King Abdullah II Special Forces Group (Arabic: العمليات الخاصة ورد الفعل السريع), commonly known as the JORSOF are strategic-level special forces of the Royal Jordanian Army under the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF). Founded on April 15, 1963, on the orders of King Hussein, its primary roles include reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, search and evacuation, intelligence gathering combat, and the protection of key sites. The Special Forces Group are also charged with carrying out precision strikes against critical enemy targets. The unit^[1] is equipped and trained to be able to operate behind enemy lines for long periods without any logistical support and is considered some of the best in the Middle East.^{[2][by whom?]}

Since its establishment in 1963, the Jordanian special operations forces were meant to be flexible and dynamic, in order to successfully face the ever-changing threats to Jordan national security. Their organizational structure has evolved significantly over the past half-century, as internal and external threats changed.

Jordanian special operations forces evolved from a multi-task company-size parachute unit in the early 1960s to brigade-size in the early 1980s, with more specialized units, including a parachute unit, special forces unit and a small counter-terrorism unit.

With the beginning of this century and the emergence of new threats to national security, Jordan established paramilitary troops—the Gendarmerie. The military force was, and remains, tasked with countering homeland security threats, thus allowing the Special Operations Forces to focus on homeland defense threats. Therefore the concept changed accordingly, from special operations to joint special operations.

The previous organization of the Royal Joint Special Operations consisted mainly of three main brigades with all standard support and service units that facilitate operations and training.

• The Special Forces Brigade consists of a special forces group, a counter-terrorism battalion, and a combat search-and-rescue battalion. This brigade is mainly equipped and trained to successfully fight unconventional threats, with a good capability to also face conventional ones.
• The Rangers Brigade is more geared towards fighting conventional threats, with good capabilities to support internal security operations.
• The Special Operations Aviation Brigade provides the joint task forces with mobility, timely response capabilities, and insertion platforms, especially for the counter-terrorism teams.

In the summer of 2017, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lieutenant General Mahmoud Freihat launched a package of reforms across JAF—many of which appeared to be driven by budgetary constraints. The reforms included specific initiatives that have significantly changed the shape of the Jordanian special operations community. The first measure deactivated the Joint Special Operations Command headquarters and downgraded the highest-ranking special forces commander from a major general to a colonel-rank officer. The second measure transformed the 28th Royal Ranger Brigade out of special operations and re-organized it as the Rapid Intervention / High Readiness Brigade. The third initiative removed the 5th Aviation Brigade from special operations and transferred it to the Jordanian Air Force. While the brigade's aircraft and pilots now fall under air force control, it has been assigned a direct support role to the King Abdallah ll Special Forces Group. The fourth initiative has seen the creation of the Directorate of Special Operations and Rapid Intervention. This directorate, which forms part of the general staff of the army, is in charge of JORSOF and the Rapid Intervention / High Readiness Brigade.

The result of reforms is to condense a three-brigade Joint Special Operations Command down to a single army-specific group—known as the King Abdullah II Royal Special Operation Forces Group—with most support elements, including administration and logistics, stripped away. At the heart of the group are the 101st and the 71st battalions, which were converted into Special Unit I—special operations—and Special Unit II—counterterrorism.^[3] JORSOF is supported by the Mohammed bin Zayed (MbZ) Quick Reaction Force (QRF) Brigade.

There are similar units to the special operations units like the Special Gendarmerie's Unit 14 (SWAT unit) & Special Police's Unit 30 (SWAT unit) . With the need for surrounding countries to develop modern forces, Jordan has become a centre of experience and specialized training for special forces. As an established regional centre for special forces training, Jordan has trained forces from Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen.

• Occupying airborne bridge-head to assist ground forces.
• Conducting raids on enemy headquarters, artillery sites, missile sites, roads and any other significant key targets.
• Airborne and air assault operations.
• Armor hunting.
• Strategic reconnaissance missions.
• Organizing, training and developing guerrilla forces.
• Operating behind enemy lines.
• Assaulting captive cells and freeing prisoners of war.
• Urban area operations.
• Readiness to assist any Arab brethren countries upon request.
• Search and rescue operation.

• Counter terrorism operations.
• Counter infiltration and smuggling.
• Internal security operations.

• Provide rangers and paratrooper training to JAF units.
• Provide officers and non-commissioned officers (NCO) from Arab countries with special operations and ranger courses.
• Train public security and customs department officers.
• Participate in training courses held in Arab countries.

• Participate in UN missions.
• Assist in training friendly forces.
• Evacuation operations in time of disasters.

• 71st Special Battalion - counterterrorism
• 101st Special Battalion - special operations
• Group Defense and Protection Battalion
• Group Training and Development Center.

The Quick Reaction Force Brigade is equipped with advanced communication systems, allowing it to develop a fully deployable command and control capability also the brigade has its own Joint Tactical Air Controllers (JTACs) also the brigade is directly supported by RJAF 8th Quick Reaction Squadron (UH-60M). The brigade consists of four units:

• 61st Quick Reaction Force Battalion (Raiders)
• 81st Quick Reaction Force Battalion
• 91st Quick Reaction Force Battalion
• Supporting Arms Virtual Trainer (SAVT) Center.

The King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center is an installation located in Amman that specializes in the latest counterterrorism, special operations and irregular warfare tactics, techniques and procedures. The base was built by a U.S. construction firm on land donated by the King of Jordan and paid for by the U.S. Defense Department Foreign Military Sales programme,^[4] part of the 2005 special appropriation. Management of the construction was undertaken by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

By 2009, the center had been made operational. The center is managed by experienced active and retired special forces personnel^[4] and qualified training staff. As a turn-key facility, the center is ideal for pre-deployment training, joint and combined military exercises, or enhancing proficiency of unit requirements. All curricula are scalable to unit size and training needs. Courses begin in the classroom, where trainees master abstract concepts and discuss creative solutions. Trainees then apply their knowledge and skill in a variety of field exercises; simulating real-world conditions including live-fire and maneuver. Performance is observed, measured, and evaluated using state-of-the-art feedback systems.^[5]

The Prince Hashem School for Special Operations serves to train and qualify officers and NCOs from JAF.

The school went through the following key phases in terms of organization and development

• in 1963 The first ranger and airborne course was trained by American training team and Ranger and Airborne training wing was established in infantry school.
• In 1970 Ranger and Airborne training wing was established in RSF.
• In 1979 Special forces school was formed and continued to evolve until 1983, where four were formed.
• In 1983 Four training wings (ranger, airborne, specialization and field) were established.
• In 1995 The organization was advanced with a new battalions system and free fall center was added.
• On 1 October 1996 the name has been modified and was called "Joint Special Operations School."
• On 24/12/2001 special operations school was renamed Prince Hashem bin Al Hussein School for Special Operations.
• In 2017, the school transferred from special forces to Army Training Command.

School Goals and Duties

1. The preparation and training of special operations officers on Common functions.
2. The preparation and training of joint special operations commissioned officers.
3. The preparation and training of juvenile soldiers basic training and specialist training.
4. The preparation and training of members of the armed forces through special training.
5. Training of Public security, civil defense, customs and General Intelligence personnel.
6. Training members of friendly States on rangers and paratroopers and other special forces works.
7. The training of graduates of university officers (field) in addition to the pupils and candidates from Mutah University on rangers and paratroopers.
8. Participate in the testing of new weapons and gear mechanisms and sufficiency of Joint special operations duties.
9. Conduct annual tests for units and formations Joint special operations and the armed forces.

School Courses

1. Platoon Commander's Basic Tactics Course
2. English Language Training Course For Officers/NCO
3. Ranger Course
4. Ranger and Airborne Instruction Course
5. Airborne Course
6. Air Assault Course
7. Fighting In Built Up Areas and Internal Security
8. Hand To Hand Fighting (Sejal)
9. Marksmanship and Range Management Course
10. Special Operations Selection Course (officers and other ranks)
11. Section and Group Commanders
12. Packing And Parachute Maintenance
13. Free Fall Course
14. Jump Masters Course
15. Pathfinders Course
16. Airborne Infiltration Course
17. Strategic Reconnaissance Course

Enrollment in the Jordan armed forces is on a voluntary basis, and this is obviously also true for the special operations. The first requirement for those willing to join the special operations is that they should successfully pass physical and mental fitness tests.

From a psychological point of view, applicants are evaluated by a military psychologist in order to assess their personal and leadership traits. Then, applicants undergo a medical screening and an initial PT test. Those who make it through this preliminary selection phase are admitted to an endurance camp (boot camp) for a month of extensive training. The camp is designed to test trainees’ ability to work under physical and mental stress.

Upon completing the camp, recruits take ranger and parachute courses. After this second phase, they are sent to specialized courses to complete their military professional training.

Special Forces Group and QRF Brigade wear MultiCam with maroon berets. Some Special Unit II teams wear Full Black Pattern.