US Central Command played a role in regional air defense that helped intercept “more than 6,000 one-way attack drones and over 1,500 ballistic missiles aimed at US forces, Israel, and Arab partners,” during the recent Iran conflict.
US Central Command head Adm. Brad Cooper provided these numbers to the Senate Committee on Armed Services on May 14.
His statement on the posture of US Central Command is worth examining because it sheds light on important regional cooperation. In case of a new round of conflict, this will matter even more.
First of all, let’s look at what Cooper said. He was speaking about US Central Command’s role in the region, including the recent Operation Epic Fury.
“In less than 40 days of major combat operations, USCENTCOM forces systematically dismantled what Iran spent four decades and tens of billions of dollars building,” he said. The US and Israel carried out widespread strikes that destroyed Iranian air defenses, the country’s navy, and thousands of other targets.
Iran also responded. The US capitalized on partner contributions to regional air defense during the conflict. “USCENTCOM has undertaken a focused effort to structurally integrate its partners to enable them to take on a greater role in deterring regional aggression. Underpinning this effort is the continuous process of enhancing partner capacity, proficiency, and interoperability at a common high standard,” Cooper said.
Importance of air defenses in region
This is important. There has been talk over the last several years about integrating defenses. This has dovetailed with talk in some media about an “Arab NATO.” After the Abraham Accords and Israel’s move to be under CENTCOM, many things have changed. There is now an increased ability to coordinate air defenses.
Israel has some of the most advanced air defenses in the world. It has pioneered Iron Dome and it has worked with the US to develop David’s Sling and Arrow, among other systems. Reports, such as at the publication Axios, indicated that Israel deployed Iron Dome to the UAE.
Now Central Command has provided important information on the coordination of air defenses in the region.
“To this end, USCENTCOM established Air Defense Combined Command Posts with each Patriot-equipped partner and built on this foundation by creating Combined Air Defense Augmentation Teams.
“These CADATs include teams of US Army air defenders working within partner Patriot units to ensure timely reception of indications and warnings, operational readiness, and deconfliction of shot doctrine,” Cooper said.
Central Command implemented something called the Middle East Air Defense, Combined Defense Operations Cell (MEAD-CDOC), which Cooper said is “hosted at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. This structure addresses key tactical and operational lessons learned over the past two years.
“Staffed primarily by partner personnel, the MEAD-CDOC expands integrated air defense coordination from the tactical to the operational level, linking the Combined Air Operations Center with partner nation air operations centers and air defense operations centers. The goal is to serve as the regional operational hub for an effective Middle East air defense umbrella.”
Unprecedented, invaluable cooperation
During Epic Fury the role of this cooperation was validated.
“During the operation, for the first time in history, US air defenders operated shoulder to shoulder with partner air defenders across national systems, operationalizing the CADAT program,” the head of Central Command noted.
The results were impressive. More than 6,000 one-way attack drones and 1,500 ballistic missiles were intercepted. Iran targeted numerous countries in the region, including the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Iraq.
“Each intercept represented lives saved, ultimately thousands, and together constituted the largest integrated air defense umbrella ever fielded,” Cooper said.
The effort has been described as “unprecedented and invaluable,” the CENTCOM head noted.
He also said that the MEAD concept showed that “true air defense interoperability is achievable and cost-effective relative to its impact. It also played a central role in limiting the damage caused by Iran’s missile and drone attacks. The effort further highlighted the willingness of regional partners to share the burden of air defense, increasing strategic flexibility for the Joint Force.”
He told the committee that Central Command “argues that continued development of MEAD, and adapting the concept to other theaters, represents one of the highest-leverage investments the United States can make in regional and global deterrence.”
This is an important development and would appear to build on the success of Central Command’s work on joint training with countries in the region. This includes Israel and other countries. It may pave the way to closer work together.
The lessons from the large number of successful interceptions will also help to confront threats in the future.