Fort Liberty troops being deployed to Middle East amid Israel-Hamas war
Army air defense units from Fort Liberty are deploying to the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war, the Pentagon said.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday the Army is sending a total of 900 troops from Fort Liberty, Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Sill in Oklahoma "to deter a broader conflict."
"Right now, our focus is on helping Israel defend themselves from terrorist attacks and also deterring a wider regional conflict," Ryder said.
Ryder said the troops are not going to Israel.
"They are intended for regional deterrent efforts and further bolster U.S. force protection capability," Ryder said.
Ryder said the troops will help bolster air defense capabilities and protect citizens from rocket attacks. He did not discuss specific shipment timelines and delivery dates of troops.
"Since Hamas attacked Israel Oct. 7, militia groups backed by Iran have, on more than a dozen occasions, attacked U.S. forces conducting counterterrorism missions in both Iraq and Syria," the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) said on Tuesday.
In response to this, the DOD said it deployed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group to Centcom. The department also directed to the region a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery from Fort Bliss, Texas, and additional Patriot Missile battalions from both Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
"It's terribly unfortunate that a group like Hamas is using facilities throughout Gaza to shield themselves with civilians," Ryder said. "And again, we're going to continue to communicate with our partners on the importance of civilian safety, but we also recognize Israel's inherent right of self defense as well."
Fort Liberty soldiers train every day for deployment.
"We are America's contingency corps, the 18th Airborne here at Fort Liberty and we are always on call," said Col. Mary Ricks. "Anytime the nation calls, we are ready to at a moment's notice."
The Patriot Missile System has been around since the late 1970s. However, Fort Liberty didn't get its system until 2006.
It was first used in combat during the first Gulf War. The Patriot is the U.S. Army's most advanced air defense system. It is capable of defeating both high-performance aircraft and tactical ballistic missiles. It is the only operational air defense system that can shoot down attacking missiles.
The Israel-Hamas war, now in its 20th day, is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday that more than 7,000 Palestinians have been killed so far — more than three times the number killed in the six-week-long Gaza war in 2014.
The Associated Press couldn't independently verify the death tolls cited by Hamas, which says it tallies figures from hospital directors.
The fighting has killed more than 1,400 people in Israel, according to Israeli officials, mostly civilians who died in the initial Hamas attack. Israel's military has raised the number of remaining hostages in Gaza to 222 people, including foreigners believed captured by Hamas during the incursion. Four hostages have been released so far.
