On Wednesday, October 2nd, the U.S. Navy released a video showing two U.S. Navy missile destroyers launching ballistic missile interceptors in the Eastern Mediterranean to defend Israel from Iranian missile attacks.
The spokesperson for the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet, Colonel Bill Urban, stated in a release on Wednesday that two videos (click here and here) show the USS Bulkeley destroyer launching a missile in response to an attack on Tuesday.
Colonel Urban mentioned that the Bulkeley destroyer, along with the Cole destroyer, both located in the Eastern Mediterranean, successfully intercepted Iranian missiles targeting Israel. He added that both ships are equipped with the Aegis ballistic missile defense system.
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder told reporters on Tuesday that in the latest attack by the Iranian regime on Israel, the Cole and Bulkeley destroyers launched approximately a dozen interceptors. Iran fired nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.
Ryder stated, “You don’t launch that many missiles at a target unless you intend to hit it.”
In addition to the Bulkeley and Cole destroyers, the Alerburk is also deployed near the Eastern Mediterranean to help defend Israel.
As the U.S. took action, Israel repelled nearly 200 incoming Iranian ballistic missiles.
The Iranian authorities claimed that the missile attack was retaliation for Israel’s killing of several Hezbollah officials, including senior leaders.
On Monday, the Pentagon announced that the U.S. would deploy thousands of soldiers to the Middle East to strengthen the security of existing U.S. forces in the region and provide support to Israel when necessary.
The additional military assets include F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16s, A-10s, and F-22 squadrons, along with the personnel needed to support them.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command, responsible for overseeing military operations in the Middle East, posted on the social media platform X that three squadrons consisting of F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16s, and A-10s would head to the Middle East, with one already arrived.
Currently, the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is in the Arabian Sea, and the USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group is in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
A U.S. defense official told Fox News in a statement, “As part of our steadfast commitment to the security of Israel, U.S. forces in the region are currently defending against Iranian missiles being launched at Israel.”
“Our forces remain poised to provide additional defensive support and maintain the posture of U.S. forces operating in the region,” the official added.
