According to the US Stars and Stripes website on April 11, General Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, told members of Congress that the United States has recently transferred the Patriot missile defense system from Asia to the Middle East as the battle between the US military and the Houthi forces in Yemen continues.

US military has transferred a Patriot air defense missile battalion from Indo-Pacific Command to Central Command's responsibility area

US military has transferred a Patriot air defense missile battalion from Indo-Pacific Command to Central Command's responsibility area

In a speech at the Senate Armed Services Committee on the 10th, Papalo said that the U.S. military has transferred a "Patriot" air defense missile battalion from the Indo-Pacific Command to the Central Command's responsibility area because the military is ready to strengthen the defense in the area.

Tensions have been escalating since the U.S. launched a new round of air strikes on the Houthi forces last month. President Trump vowed to continue to put pressure until militants stopped attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea. Trump also threatened that the United States would strike their supporters in Iran if the Houthi forces do not stop their maritime attacks.

According to manufacturer Raytheon, the Patriot is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems of the U.S. military, aiming to detect and shoot down ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and advanced aircraft.

Paparo said that transporting the missile battalion requires 73 flights of the C-17 transport aircraft, which can carry a load of 170,000 pounds (about 77 tons). But he did not disclose the exact location of the camp or the specific details of its defense.

Its transfer coincides with the recent U.S. increase in troop strength to the Central Command’s area of ​​responsibility. According to satellite images seen by the Associated Press, the United States has recently deployed B-2 bombers on Digo Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean.

The Central Command also announced that the US aircraft carrier "Carl Vinson" has arrived in the area and will conduct a mission with another aircraft carrier "Harry Truman".