Patriot deployment to Iraq is helpful, but insufficient against Iran – By Bradley Bowman and Maj. Liane Zivitski (Military Times) / April 9 2020
The Pentagon is deploying additional air defense systems to Iraq to better protect U.S. troops from missile and rocket attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies. The Pentagon is also consolidating troops at larger and better-protected bases, which will save lives and preserve the American combat power necessary to respond to any additional aggression.
The Department of Defense confirmed last week that it deployed Patriot air and missile defense systems to Iraq. The two batteries went to Ain al-Asad Air Base and Irbil Air Base — three months after Tehran targeted those bases with ballistic missile attacks. Tehran took advantage of the lack of ballistic missile defenses, injuring dozens of U.S. troops.
The Patriot systems provide a ground-based air defense capability against a variety of threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles like those Tehran launched in January. The Patriot includes a launcher, a radar to track targets, a manned control station and a power generator.
Washington has reportedly engaged in talks with Baghdad since January regarding the deployment. But apparent difficulties in obtaining permission from Baghdad delayed the Patriots’ arrival — leaving American troops vulnerable to ballistic missile attack longer than necessary.
The eviction of U.S. forces from Iraq represents a major strategic objective for the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Tehran has used its extraordinary influence in Baghdad to push for an American departure regardless of the interests of the Iraqi people.
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