The Honour Guard – The Airborne Ceremonial Unit/28

The Airborne Ceremonial Unit/28 is the Jordan Armed Forces Honour Guard. It is tied to the Hamzah bin Abdulmutalib Brigade (Royal Guard). Its core functions include:

• Welcoming ceremonies for the reigning monarch
• Welcoming ceremonies for official guests to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
• Serving as aide-de-camp for ambassadors during the ceremonial presentation of credentials
• Performing in or attending special religious or national celebrations
• Performing in military parades
• Providing security for the unit

The Airborne Ceremonial Unit/28 was so named in 2000. However, Honour Guard duties began with the establishment of the Arab Legion in 1921, the forerunner of the contemporary Jordan Armed Forces. Such duties then were performed by the military unit located closest to any particular event in which ceremonial displays was required. When the Honour Guard was officially formed, its formation consisted variously of either cavalry or infantry.

Eventually, Honour Guard duties were assumed by the Royal Guards Battalion, with the battalion’s first company eventually assuming responsibility for all ceremonial duties. In 1977, the first company, consisting of three platoons, was relieved of its security duties, detached from the Royal Guards Battalion and linked to the King Hussein bin Ali Brigade.

In 1978, the land forces and the naval platoons were merged in the ceremonial company. The air force platoon also participated in but was not officially part of the ceremonial company. This particular formation was called the Special Royal Guard of Honour, and it bore five flags: the Jordanian national flag, the Jordanian Armed Forces flag and the flags of the land forces, the navy and the air force.

In 1980, the distinctive Badia uniform, evocative of the customary attire in Jordan’s desert regions, was adopted as the official uniform of the Guard of Honour, and today, the Badia uniform continues to be worn during national occasions.

In 1994, the ceremonial company was modified to become the ceremonial unit, consisting of army, navy and air force platoons.

In 1996 King Hussein bin Ali Brigade joined the Special Forces and was officially named King Hussein bin Ali Airborne/30 Brigade and the Honour Guard Ceremonial Unit as part of it. In 2000, the unit was named the Airborne Ceremonial Unit/28, and the organisation of this unit was also transformed to three airborne ceremonial companies.

In 2008, the Ceremonial Unit was detached from the King Hussein bin Ali Brigade (Special Operations) and linked to Hamzah bin Abdulmutalib Brigade (Royal Guards). The duties of the Honour Guard Unit remained the same throughout the years.