CENTENNIAL, Colo. – In a display of cooperation and capability, Soldiers from the Colorado Army National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces recently conducted a joint airborne operation in Watkins, Colorado.
The April 23 “Friendship Jump” brought together paratroopers from two nations to strengthen warfighting readiness and enhance interoperability under high-risk, realistic training conditions. The Colorado National Guard and Jordan have been partners since May 24, 2004, through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.
“Airborne operations bond people together,” said U.S. Army Master Sgt. Casey Finkbiner, jumpmaster, Colorado Army National Guard. “You place your lives in one another’s hands and trust that they will place your safety above all else. It shows real partnership when we are able to execute air ops with our foreign counterparts.”
The jump, initiated and organized by Finkbiner, showcased the commitment of both forces to operate as a cohesive, capable team in demanding environments.
The operation was particularly complex because of differences in equipment, language and procedures.
Jordanian paratroopers had never jumped from a CH-47 Chinook or used the U.S. MC-6 parachute system. Through detailed coordination and instruction from Colorado Army National Guard jumpmasters, the forces bridged those gaps and executed a successful joint mission.
“Any training that is high risk builds trust between partner militaries, and this makes detailed planning and collaboration even more important,” Finkbiner said.
U.S. Army Col. Alyssa Aarhaus, commander, 89th Troop Command, emphasized the historical and symbolic importance of the jump.
“Although raised in culturally different environments, we came together to celebrate our unique airborne capabilities and the partnership of our two amazing nations,” she said. “By completing this jump with both Jordanian and American jumpmasters, COARNG [Colorado Army National Guard] solidified an already strong partnership and highlighted the talent of our two nations.”
After completing the joint airborne operation, participants were awarded Jordanian jump wings, “a coveted recognition and outward expression of our strong partnership,” Aarhaus said.
The award acknowledges the mutual trust, coordination and shared risk involved in the combined training event, reinforcing interoperability between the two forces.
Finkbiner said the successful execution of this operation serves as a stepping stone for future collaborative missions involving more complex joint capabilities.
“Exercises and partnership events under realistic or high-risk conditions allow the U.S. and Jordanian forces to coordinate and execute complex military operations, improving communication and processes, and overall becoming a more effective combined force,” she said.
A participant from the JAF said, “This joint airborne jump represents a step that reflects the high level of coordination and understanding between the Jordanian Armed Forces and the Colorado National Guard.
“This training provided us with the opportunity to exchange experiences and acquire new skills, which enhanced our readiness and ability to operate jointly in diverse and evolving environments. Cooperation based on mutual respect and professionalism makes us better prepared to face future challenges efficiently and effectively,” the participant said.
While modern technologies such as drones and cybersecurity tools offer critical capabilities in reconnaissance, surveillance and precision engagement, airborne forces continue to play a vital role by providing the ability to rapidly deploy large-scale personnel across the globe. This capability complements emerging domains, ensuring that military forces remain flexible and prepared across both conventional and digital battlefields.
As global security challenges continually evolve, efforts like the “Friendship Jump” can ensure that allied forces remain ready, responsive and resilient together.
Officially signed May 24, 2004, the partnership between Jordan and the Colorado Guard represents a milestone in the SPP program because it was the first such partnership established in the Levant region of the Middle East. Celebrating more than 20 years of cooperation, the partnership has become a cornerstone of strategic collaboration and mutual support between the JAF and the Colorado National Guard.
By Senior Airman Melissa Escobar-Pereira, Colorado National Guard
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