The US Army can rush Patriot batteries off to global hot spots in days. Here's what the scramble looks like.
Business Insider spoke with two Army officers about what it takes to deploy Patriot systems in response to conflicts and crises.
The US Army can swiftly deploy Patriot batteries to global hot spots in just a few days, according to officers involved in past deployments. The MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system is a crucial component of the Army's air defense capabilities, protecting American forces and allies from missile and drone threats. These deployments are often initiated with little warning, causing significant logistical challenges for soldiers and their families.
In recent years, the US has deployed Patriot batteries to Eastern Europe and the Middle East in response to crises, including Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. The process of moving a Patriot battery begins with a short 48-hour window to determine who will deploy and what equipment is necessary.
Soldiers then complete medical, legal, and administrative readiness procedures before boarding a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport plane for deployment. Craig, a Patriot battalion commander from a 2022 deployment, described the C-17 flight as an exhilarating yet daunting experience, filled with the excitement of being crammed into the plane with heavy equipment.
The Army relies on C-17 transport aircraft to move the Patriots, but the rapid deployment can sometimes lead to logistical challenges, as there may not be a clear understanding of where the C-17s will land within the host country.
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