Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on 11/7 that "on 23/6, one Iranian ballistic missile struck Al Udeid air base while others were intercepted by US and Qatari air defenses".
He stated the attack caused "minimal damage" to equipment and structures at the base, but didn't elaborate. "No one was injured. Al Udeid air base remains fully operational and capable of carrying out its mission to ensure security and stability in the region with our Qatari partners," Parnell added.
This is the first time the Pentagon has acknowledged an Iranian missile penetrating air defenses and damaging a base during the attack. The strike was Tehran's response to Washington's airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities early on 22/6.
The Pentagon's statement followed the Associated Press's release of satellite imagery on 11/7, taken two days after the attack, which appeared to show the destruction of a white radar dome at the base.
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The radar dome at Al Udeid air base in 2016. Photo: AP |
The radar dome at Al Udeid air base in 2016. Photo: AP
The radar dome housed a $15 million MET communications system. In 2016, the US Air Force said the system "provides secure communications capabilities, including voice, video, and data transmission, connecting personnel in the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility with military leaders worldwide".
On 23/6, US President Donald Trump said Iran launched 14 ballistic missiles at Al Udeid air base, 13 of which were intercepted. One missile was "ignored" because it wasn't a threat. He described Tehran's response as "very weak".
"I'm very pleased to report that no Americans or Qataris were injured," Trump stated.
Located in the desert outside Doha, Qatar, Al Udeid is the largest US base in the Middle East. It houses forward units of CENTCOM, along with air force and special forces personnel.
The base is protected by an air defense network that includes US and Qatari Patriot systems. Before the missile attack, the US relocated some Patriot systems from Japan and South Korea to Qatar to bolster the base's defenses.
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Location of Al Udeid air base. Graphic: CNN |
Location of Al Udeid air base. Graphic: CNN
Pham Giang (AP, Air & Space Forces)