At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. European Command deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to Israel in early March as a demonstration of the United States’ continued commitment to Israel's regional security under the Department of Defense's Dynamic Force Employment concept.
THAAD is the most advanced integrated air and missile defense system in the world, and this deployment readiness exercise demonstrates that U.S. forces are agile, and can respond quickly and unpredictably to any threat, anywhere, at any time.
This deployment incorporates key capabilities, systems and people stationed in the continental United States and Europe, and with our partners in the Israel Defense Force.
During the deployment, our service members will work in various locations throughout Israel and will practice operational procedures for augmenting Israel's existing air and missile defense architecture. Our service members will refine network connectivity, validate requirements for the THAAD system, and will conduct multinational training and security cooperation activities with our allies to improve interoperability and build readiness.
The United States' strategic airlift capability, combined with close cooperation between the joint service community, and strong relationships with allies and partners, provides the U.S. military the ability to rapidly deploy forces anywhere in the world.
The THAAD deployed from the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas.
DoD's Dynamic Force Employment changes the way the U.S. military employs our forces to provide proactive and scalable options in support of National Defense objectives. These actions make our activities unpredictable to adversaries while maintaining strategic predictability for our allies and partners.
Please direct all media queries to: usarmyeurope.mediadesk@mail.mil
Imagery is available here: www.dvidshub.net/feature/THAADDFE
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U.S. European Command is one of two U.S. forward-deployed geographic combatant commands whose area of focus spans across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. The command is comprised of more than 60,000 military and civilian personnel and is responsible for U.S. defense operations, relations with NATO and 51 countries. For more information about U.S. European Command, visit http://www.eucom.mil/.