The 14th Annual Warrior Competition for international Special Operations Forces formally opens today at KASOTC in Jordan, reports Bob Morrison.
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Originally scheduled for June, but postponed at very short notice by the outbreak of unpleasantness between Israel and Iran temporarily impacting on Jordanian airspace, this year’s reconfigured Annual Warrior Competition at KASTOC has still attracted over 30 Elite Teams from 22 Nations in addition to half a dozen SOF teams from the host country. This time I haven’t spotted any teams from South America, but the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and North America have all provided boots on the ground.
Over four days, Sunday through to Wednesday, some of the world’s best Special Forces and Special Operations Forces will pit themselves against each other, with the thermometer sometimes climbing well above 30°C in the white stone former quarry that holds KASOTC’s urban combat town and live fire ranges. Yesterday, Saturday, JOINT-FORCES was granted the privilege of attending the dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony and given the chance to meet some of the competitors, then allowed to sit in on the final briefing for this year’s AWC. Last year I had to cancel my trip to Jordan while I fought my own little battle with cancer, and even though I am still very weak following extensive radiotherapy plus a couple of unrelated health issues, I plan to make the most of the next few days in the company of old friends and new.
As Vinnie Jones might say, “it’s all a bit emotional”….. but I wouldn’t miss it for all the dates and figs in Arabia. More later this week if all goes to plan.
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