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Press Release | Jan. 24, 2022

U.S. Central Command Statement on Use of Patriots to Defend U.S. Forces

USCENTCOM

TAMPA, Fla.  –  

January 24, 2022
Release # 20220124-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"U.S. forces at Al Dhafra Air Base, near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), engaged two inbound missile threats with multiple Patriot interceptors coincident to efforts by the armed forces of the UAE in the early morning hours of Jan. 24, 2022. The combined efforts successfully prevented both missiles from impacting the base. There were no U.S. casualties.

U.S. forces did set a heightened alert posture at the time of the attack, the second in the span of a week, which did involve Airmen using available bunkers. U.S. forces at Al Dhafra remain vigilant and ready to respond in case of any follow-on attacks. There are approximately 2000 U.S. servicemembers and personnel at Al Dhafra."

Attributable to:
Captain Bill Urban, USN, U.S. Central Command Spokesman