### U.S. Deploys THAAD System to Israel Amid Rising Global Tensions

In response to escalating geopolitical tensions, the United States has deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and approximately 100 soldiers to Israel. U.S. Army leaders have expressed concerns that this move could strain the Army's air defense forces and delay the modernization of its missile defense systems.

The deployment, initiated by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and authorized by President Joe Biden, aims to bolster Israel's air defense capabilities amid growing conflicts involving Iran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas militants. The soldiers and the THAAD system are expected to arrive in Israel within a few days.

The increased demand for THAAD and Patriot missile batteries stems from the ongoing war in Ukraine and the recent escalation between Israel and militant groups. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth emphasized the high pace of operations for the air defense artillery community, stating that it is the most stressed segment of the Army.

General Randy George, Army Chief of Staff, also highlighted the frequent deployment of U.S. Army air defense forces. With the added pressures from global conflicts, the Army is trying to balance operational requirements with the need for modernization and maintaining military readiness.

The decision to deploy the THAAD system follows an Oct. 1 attack by Iran, which saw about 180 missiles fired into Israel. Additionally, a Hezbollah drone attack on an Israeli army base resulted in the death of four soldiers and severe injuries to seven others. These incidents have underscored the need for greater air defense protection for Israel.

Since October 8, 2023, Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been engaged in clashes, as the militant group fired rockets over the border in support of Hamas. These events mark the deadliest strikes by Hezbollah since Israel's ground invasion of Lebanon nearly two weeks ago.

While the deployment of the THAAD system involves a relatively small number of soldiers, it contributes to the continuous rotation of air defense forces. The military is working to ensure service members have sufficient time at home to train and recuperate between deployments, to sustain morale and retention within the force.

Army leaders are also focusing on ways to mitigate the impact on recruiting and retention, such as expanding the force and modernizing current systems to require fewer soldiers for operation. However, the frequency of deployments makes it challenging to update these systems.

Wormuth and other Army leaders are trying to clearly present these challenges to Secretary Austin, who must balance requests for missile defense systems from various combatant commanders against the need to modernize. "We need to be able to bring these units home to be able to go through that modernization process," Wormuth stated, emphasizing the importance of evaluating both current and future risks.