Pentagon deploys missile battery bound for Israel

The Pentagon issued a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile battery deployment to Israel this weekend.

The deployment is meant to strengthen Israel’s missile defense capabilities after Iran’s targeted attacks on April 13 and Oct. 1, according to an article by the Department of Defense The attack earlier this month was nearly double the size of the April 13 attack, including mostly unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles being launched compared to ballistic missiles, which is why the deployment is necessary.

The Pentagon’s decision to deploy is in line with a number of steps the DOD took to strengthen the U.S.’s defense throughout the Middle East, the article said.

When asked about unit training for the deployment, Don Herrick, Director of Public Affairs for Fort Sill said they don’t have any THAAD units on base. None of the brigade commanders were available for comment as well.

There is no specific timeline of deployment, but the article referred to the system as a “temporary provision” of air defense capabilities to assist in protecting Israel.