Cablegate: Jordan: Regional Security Support - Afghanistan

VZCZCXRO2566
RR RUEHBC RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHAM #0091/01 0071356
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 071356Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 0419
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6641
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0219
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0074

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 000091

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2020
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL ASEC JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: REGIONAL SECURITY SUPPORT - AFGHANISTAN

Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

1. (U) This cable is part 1 of 5 in a series on Jordan's
regional security contributions and military support.

2. (C) SUMMARY: Jordan has been exceptionally responsive
to USG requests for military contributions in support of
regional and international security priorities. In
Afghanistan, Jordan has responded with significant ground and
Special Operations Forces (SOF). These forces are now
engaged in combat and security operations alongside Operation
Enduring Freedom (OEF) units. Deployments of this magnitude
are a first for Jordan. While the financial requirements of
sustaining large numbers of forces abroad could hamper
Jordan's ability to maintain its contributions, Jordan is
otherwise prepared to continue its deployments and seek new
ways to support the planned surge of U.S. forces. END
SUMMARY.

Force Deployments in Afghanistan
--------------------------------

3. (C) In July 2009, Jordan deployed a 720 person infantry
battalion to Logar Province, Afghanistan, for an expected six
month deployment. The battalion, named Task Force 222
(TF222), conducted security operations with U.S. Task Force
Spartan (3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division). Originally
deployed to support elections in the province, the battalion
now conducts routine security operations. Jordan's Chief of
Defense has approved a second rotation (TF222-Bravo) which is
scheduled to deploy on January 9, 2010. TF 222-Bravo will be
partnered with the 173d Airborne Brigade at Forward Operating
Base Shank.

4. (C) Jordan included two rotary-wing aviators from the
Prince Hashim Royal Brigade with their TF222 deployment to
observe U.S. rotary-wing aviation missions. The goal of this
deployment is to build Jordan's capacity for air support of
forces with an emphasis on enhancing interoperability with
U.S. forces. In September 2009, Jordan deployed a second
round of rotary-wing aviators, with the intent to establish
routine rotations.

5. (C) Jordanian Special Operations Forces deployed Task
Force 111 (TF111), a 111-person unit, in May 2009 to conduct
combat operations with the U.S. 5th Special Forces Group,
near Qalat, Afghanistan. TF111 redeployed in late August. A
second iteration of the SOF unit, TF111-Bravo, deployed to
Afghanistan on October 1, 2009, for an expected deployment of
6 months, establishing consistent Jordanian SOF presence in
Afghanistan. Coordination is underway for the deployment of
its replacement, TF111-Charlie, which will deploy to
Afghanistan on February 11, 2010.

Other Contributions for Afghanistan
-----------------------------------

6. (C) Other contributions to security goals in Afghanistan
include:

-- Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) operates a military field
hospital in Qalat, Afghanistan. Since 2003 the hospital has
treated over 750,000 patients.

-- In 2003, Jordan was one of the first countries to send
demining teams to Afghanistan.

-- Jordan trained a 50-man cadre of the Afghanistan
National Army Counter Terrorism force.

Pay Entitlements Break the Bank
-------------------------------

7. (C) Although Jordan has been an eager partner in
Afghanistan, limited resources are a significant constraint.
TF111 and TF222 deployments have been made possible only
through U.S. support, such as pre-deployment training,
airlift, equipment, and billeting.

8. (C) A central issue is the requirement under Jordanian
law that forces deployed abroad are paid a combat premium of
approximately 1600 USD per month. (Note: These so-called
pay entitlements have been consistently paid during Jordan's

AMMAN 00000091 002 OF 002

19-year history in UN Peacekeeping operations (PKO). Pay
entitlements for PKOs were funded through the UN system.
However, there is no similar mechanism when Jordan deploys
independently or with coalition partners, forcing Jordan to
make these payments on its own to its forces deployed in
Afghanistan. End Note.)

9. (C) Pay entitlements are a significant element in the
JAF's growing budget deficit, now estimated to be
approximately 150 million USD. The pay entitlements issue
nearly derailed the original deployment of TF222 and could
limit the sustainability of future rotations of TF111 and
TF222.

10. (C) Jordan has repeatedly requested assistance from the
U.S. to fund its pay entitlements, a request the USG cannot
fulfill. Jordan has also requested assistance from the
United Arab Emirates, but so far funds have not been
forthcoming.

Jordan Wants to Do More
-----------------------

11. (C) In meetings Jordanian officials have indicated
their interest in doing more to support the mission in
Afghanistan and the planned surge of U.S. forces there. In
particular, both the Chairman of Defense and King Abdullah II
have said that Jordan stands ready to contribute additional
forces, especially if the pay entitlements issue can be
solved. In addition, the King has offered to contribute two
Blackhawk helicopters for special operations, an offer which
is currently under review by CENTCOM.

Comment
-------

12. (C) Jordan's Afghanistan deployments are a significant
expression of support from a key Arab ally for the mission in
Afghanistan. In addition, Jordan's forces are showing
results. Feedback from the field indicates that the
Jordanian military presence is yielding valuable engagement
with key leaders in rural areas in Afghanistan, giving these
leaders a promising alternative to Taliban affiliation. In
addition, the deployments are helping Jordan acquire
experience and skills in a combat situation -- a critical
need for a national military that has not deployed in combat
in over a generation -- and improving interoperability with
U.S. forces. It is clear that Jordan could do more.
However, with its pay entitlements problem and military
budget shortfall, financing remains a barrier.

Beecroft

© Scoop Media