U.S. Air Base in Qatar Struck by Iranian Ballistic Missile in June, according to Pentagon's Disclosure
On June 23, 2021, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a joint U.S.-Qatari facility, was targeted by a ballistic missile launched by Iran. The missile directly impacted a geodesic radome housing the Modernization Enterprise Terminal (MET), a crucial part of the U.S. military's satellite communications system.
The radome and the satellite antenna inside it were significantly damaged. Imagery and reports suggest that the radome was destroyed, and the satellite communication dish was burned, likely requiring total replacement. This damage disrupted the base’s satellite communications capabilities, although the base maintained overall operational status.
Despite the impact causing minimal damage to other base equipment and structures, the radome damage was considerable enough to raise concerns. Ground images showed scorch marks and debris where the radome once stood, indicating severe destruction. This damage was not initially highlighted in Pentagon statements but was confirmed following analysis of satellite images and ground assessments.
President Donald Trump stated that 13 missiles were intercepted, and one missile was "set free" during the attack. Only two Patriot batteries remained on base to defend the entire facility, including CENTCOM’s forward headquarters, the air base, and all U.S. forces there. Fortunately, no casualties were reported at the base.
It is worth noting that this incident represented one of the few cases where a missile directly impacted and damaged critical infrastructure at Al Udeid during the attack, which otherwise saw many missiles intercepted by air defenses.
Reports suggest that Iran had warned Qatar in advance that it was going to attack Al Udeid Air Base. The U.S. had taken steps to mitigate potential damage should Iran or its proxy forces attack U.S. forces in the region.
In a related development, on the same day, U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers and submarine-launched cruise missiles struck three sites (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan) in Iran. The Pentagon has acknowledged that a missile got through and damaged the base, although no Americans or Qataris were killed or wounded in the attack.
Al Udeid Air Base remains fully operational, despite the significant damage to its satellite communications infrastructure. The base hosts the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Air Forces Central, and is home to the Combined Air Operations Center.
Sources: [1] ABC News. (2021, June 26). Pentagon: Missile struck Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pentagon-missile-struck-al-udeid-air-base-qatar-78117495 [2] Al Jazeera. (2021, June 24). Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar hit by Iranian missile. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/24/al-udeid-air-base-in-qatar-hit-by-iranian-missile [3] The New York Times. (2021, June 26). Missile Strikes on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/06/26/world/middleeast/iran-israel-conflict-updates
- The Pentagon acknowledged that a missile struck Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, causing significant damage to its satellite communications infrastructure.
- President Donald Trump stated that during the attack, 13 missiles were intercepted, and one missile was "set free," potentially signifying an unsuccessful interception.
- The base, despite the damage, remains operational, hosting the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Air Forces Central, and the Combined Air Operations Center.
- In a related development on the same day, U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers and submarine-launched cruise missiles struck three sites in Iran, according to reports.
- It was reported that Iran had warned Qatar in advance of its intention to attack Al Udeid Air Base, although the reasons behind the attack remain unclear.
- The damage to the U.S. military's satellite communications system at Al Udeid Air Base has raised concerns about the vulnerability of such critical infrastructure, especially amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics.
- The incident at Al Udeid Air Base was not the first instance of a missile impacting the base, but it is one of the few cases where it directly damaged critical infrastructure.
- Beyond the geopolitical implications and military concerns, the incident could also have potential repercussions in the realm of general news, crime-and-justice, and even sports-betting, as the disruption of communications could affect data and information flow.
