None of this is real, for now.

 

This is the fifth year of this joint annual military exercise dubbed Eager Lion, but since last year's drill, things have significantly changed in the region.

 

In two of Jordan's neighboring countries–Iraq and Syria–ISIS emerged as a threat like no others this region has seen.

 

The common enemy brought some of the 18 nations that are part of this exercise into a coalition fighting the terror group.

 

While officials here say the training is pre-planned and not a reaction to current regional events, Eager Lion this year does seem more relevant than ever.

 

"Um, it's been a rough year and I don't think unfortunately we are going to see any rapid changes. This is going to be a long fight, but extremists, wherever you are, I think this exercise shows that the coalition will do what needs to do to combat them."

 

Jordan, a key U.S.-ally, has been at the forefront of the war on ISIS and earlier this year paid a heavy price for that with the brutal killing of one of its pilots captured by the group.

 

ISIS' latest gains in Ramadi mean it's tightening its grip on Anbar Province right on Jordan's eastern borders.

 

"I think there's always concern when we see movements of extremists and the fact that they're having successes no matter how limited, that is always a worrying for us. But I think that doesn't deter us from our job and our responsibility and we will continue to do what needs to be done."

 

The show of force ends with a special forces operation in the port of Aqaba. A glimpse into the diverse capabilities and readiness in the hope of overturning a very real security threat to this region.