Units that make up the backbone of the Jordanian army, is the Special Operations Command, the brainchild of King Abdallah. While serving as a senior officer in 1996, he collected from all branches of the army special operations units, led by 2 special forces battalions (71 and 101), and two paratroop battalions (81 and 91). Attached to them are several other special operations units, equipped with advanced equipment to make them as mobile as possible. This is the command that is supposed to stop any attempt by foreign hostile forces to move into the kingdom. In other words, their main task is to buy time for the regime until an ally comes to the rescue. Equally important is the ability of the force to supplement the Royal Guards in Amman if and when they require such help against any domestic unrest.

Recently, Jordanian paratroop forces participated in several UN missions mainly in the Balkans.