WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States will send a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said on Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.
In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had authorized the battery's deployment on the direction of President Joe Biden, adding that it would help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran's ballistic missile attacks on the country in April and October.
CAREFUL, CAREFUL A United States Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense launching station is being prepared for loading onto a 4th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Fort Bliss, Texas, on Feb. 23, 2019. FILE PHOTO FROM US AIR FORCE VIA AP