US Forces Engage in Defense Against Iranian Attacks
After the US military targeted an Iranian uranium enrichment facility last week, Air Force General Dan Kane reported that Iranian forces launched an attack on US personnel stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
In a press briefing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegses, Kane, who serves as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that the joint forces were prepared to defend themselves during this recent escalation. He indicated that signs were observed suggesting Iran was planning further assaults on US bases within the Central Command’s area of operations.
As a preventative measure, most forces stationed at Al Udeid adjusted positions to enhance the security perimeter. However, two Patriot missile batteries stayed in place to safeguard the base. “Around 44 American soldiers are on duty to protect the entire base, which includes the Middle East operations for Centcom and all US personnel in the region,” Kane explained. He mentioned the youngest service member was a private, only 21 years old, and had been in the military for less than two years.
Iran claimed to have executed its attack around 12:30 PM EDT, or approximately 7:30 PM local time in Qatar. Kane elaborated on the defensive measures taken, indicating that the Patriots were activated after detecting the incoming threats. He remarked, “If you’ve experienced a Patriot launch, you can feel it resonate in your body.”
He expressed his belief that this might represent the largest single engagement involving Patriot missile systems in US military history. Kane also mentioned that the US military had collaborated closely with the Qatari forces to enhance the protection of the installations. While he didn’t specify if any Patriot missiles were fired, he pointed out that “a lot of metal was flying around,” referring to both the defense systems and remnants of the intercepted missiles.
“There was a complex mix of decisions that had to be made rapidly, all with significant strategic implications. Our defenders, along with their Qatari counterparts, stood as a vital barrier between the Iranian missile threats and Al Udeid,” Kane said. “They truly are the unsung heroes of the modern US Army.”
