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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has approved the deployment of a Patriot missile battery and F-16 fighter jet aircraft to Jordan as part of a planned military exercise, but with an understanding that the weapons systems may stay in the country to bolster Jordan's security as violence from the Syrian civil war spreads.

The deployment, approved by Hagel over the weekend, will send the weapons to Jordan for a multinational training exercise called Eager Lion, which is taking place this month.

But there is clearly a broader message being sent, according to U.S. military officials. "In order to enhance the defensive posture and capacity of Jordan, some of these assets may remain beyond the exercise at the request of the government of Jordan," Lt Col T.G. Taylor, a spokesman at the U.S. Central Command, told CNN.

The Patriots, which are expected to be sent from Fort Bliss, Texas, will provide missile defense for Jordan as concern is growing that Syrian missiles are being shipped to Hezbollah and could attack targets across the region. In recent days, violence has spread to Lebanon, and Israeli forces have increased security along their northern border.

The F-16s and air crews will train with Jordanian combat air forces amid growing pressure from some in Congress for the White House to support a Syrian no-fly zone.

Separately from the exercise, the United States is sending 200 military planners from the headquarters of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss to Jordan to assist in long-term planning with Jordanian forces in case of a chemical weapons crisis or a large-scale humanitarian relief mission.(CNN)