Joint Chiefs chair spotlights 44 heroes who defended US base from Iran missile attack: 'Absolutely crushed it'
Skeleton crew of soldiers aged 21-28 left to defend major Middle East base with just 2 Patriot systems
By Morgan Phillips Fox News
Published June 26, 2025 2:15pm EDT
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine revealed details of the young skeleton crew who were left to defend Al Udeid Air Base as they faced an incoming barrage of Iranian missiles on Monday.
"We believe that this is the largest single Patriot engagement in U.S. military history," Caine said, referring to the U.S. surface-to-air missile defense system. "We were joined in this engagement by the Qatar Patriot cruise."
Caine said the 44 soldiers left on base after it was evacuated ranged in age from 21 to 28. They were left with only two Patriot systems to defend the base, which is a major headquarters in the Middle East and home to 10,000 deployed American soldiers.
"Imagine you're that young first lieutenant. You're 25 or 26 years old, and you've been assigned as the tactical director inside the command and control element. You, at that age, are the sole person responsible to defend this base," Caine said.
more
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/joint-chiefs-chair-dan-caine-spotlights-44-heroes-who-defended-us-base-from-iran-missile-attack
