Government

War Drums? U.S. Military Building Missile Defense Radar Station in Qatar

On the heels of the defense secretary announcing his approved late last week to send an aircraft carrier to the Middle East several months early to make sure at least two carriers will constantly be present in the troubled region, the Wall Street Journal reports today of another defense effort to “[organize the Pentagon's] biggest-ever minesweeping exercises in the Persian Gulf.”

The WSJ reports the Pentagon is building a missile-defense radar station in Qatar to address the potential for “Tehran’s arsenal of ballistic missiles and its threat to shut down the oil-shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz by mining them.”

The minesweepers give the U.S. greater flexibility to counter any Iranian effort to mine the strait at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, which is already routinely patrolled by Iranian and U.S. warships. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strategic waterway, which is the transit route for about a fifth of the world’s oil supply, in retaliation for increased Western-led sanctions.

Pentagon to Build Missile Defense Radar Station in Qatar in Defensive Move Against Iranian Threats

(Image via Wall Street Journal)

Here’s more from WSJ on the plans:

The Pentagon chose to place the new radar site in Qatar because it is home to the largest U.S. military air base in the region, Al Udeid Air Base, analysts say. More than 8,000 troops are stationed there and at another U.S. base in Qatar.

Qatari officials in Washington and Doha didn’t respond to requests for comment. Qatar has taken on roles in conflicts in Libya and Syria, winning U.S. praise. Qatar guards a more neutral stance when it comes to Iran, maintaining close relations with Tehran, which shares ownership with Doha of the region’s largest natural gas field.

The radar base in Qatar is slated to house a powerful AN/TPY-2 radar, also known as an X-Band radar, and supplement two similar arrays already in place in Israel’s Negev Desert and in central Turkey, officials said. Together, the three radar sites form an arc that U.S. officials say can detect missile launches from northern, western and southern Iran.

Missiles launched from Iran will be tracked and the sites are also equipped to alert the proper missile-interceptor systems. One of these is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THADD) missile-interceptor system, which the Army wants to deploy for the first time in the area soon. The WSJ reports Riki Ellison with the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance saying the X-band radar and THAAD together provide an “extra layer of defense.”

Watch WSJ discuss the increase of defensive tactics:

In addition to building up missile detection efforts, at the request of James Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has approved sending by late summer the USS John C. Stennis strike group, which also includes the Aegis guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay and some 5,500 sailors to the Middle East.

Mattis emphasized this move was “not about any one particular country or any one particular threat.”

Read the full Wall Street Journal report on the “bulking up” of defense systems in the Persian Gulf here.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Comments (18)

  • Arc
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 4:40pm

    The Grid coordinates of the station are.
    It is manned from 0800hrs-1700hrs, Mon -Fri 0800-1200hrs on Saturday Closed Sunday
    There are no armaments or weapons within 10 miles.
    The Razor wire around the station is not even sharp.
    The combination to the lock on the Power Building is 3R21-4L26-2L15
    Usually there are 2 military personnel per shift.

    Where we building the next on guys????

    Report Post » Arc  
  • lisa2994
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:35am

    The NWO will come no matter what we do and we all must admit that if we believe in GOD and the bible! However we must keep fighting on the side of what is right no matter what. But the one thing I will not do is denounce my faith for anyone and yes I know where that could lead me. But I cannot be afraid! Going to keep my faith in GOD because I know what he has promised!

    Report Post » lisa2994  
  • IsThereADifference
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:22am

    This story has been up almost 24 hours and it has a grand total of 14 comments. Seems like there are way too many “Americans” who avoid the fact that the United States military is the world police force for the NWO.

    14 comments…. Unbelievable.

    Report Post » IsThereADifference  
  • SocialistSlayer
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:14am

    “The War” will help economically and take the focus off our Communist President and help him to get re-elected by making him look “Presidential”. This is a common ploy used by dictators around the world. Prepare now – stock up on food and other necessities to protect your families and take back your government.

    Report Post » SocialistSlayer  
  • 702TruthSeeker
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:19am

    only God can save us

    Report Post »  
  • Ragnars Repos
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:22am

    That’s it, America. Flex more muscle around the globe.

    Hundreds of millitary bases around the world and Ron Paul is ‘weird’ for his opposition to our militaristic tendencies (to put it mildly)? I wonder why the military supports Ron Paul?

    I’m a proud American and I support the U.S. soldier, but this is shameful, and it won’t end well for us.

    Report Post »  
  • ALL4FREEDOM
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:12pm

    Of course they’re preparing for war. That is the only scenario these big-government morons can envision to bail them out of the coming economic collapse. WWII got them out of the Depression, didn’t it?

    Report Post »  
  • buubbytraps
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:33pm

    WND EXCLUSIVE
    Arpaio Obama probe finds ‘national security threat’
    Hawaii found to be bogus birth-certificate factory
    http://www.wnd.com/2012/07/arpaio-obama-probe-finds-national-security-threat/

    Report Post » buubbytraps  
  • Robert999
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 8:40pm

    Will war with Iran be Obama’s October surprise to ensure his reelection?

    Report Post »  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:44pm

    Iran looks like a big bullseye located in the middle of that graphic (LOL!)

    Report Post »  
  • tothepoint
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:30pm

    Obama the Warmonger (and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, too. You can’t make this stuff up)
    Obama tried to keep our troops in Iraq past the Bush-brokered 2011 deadline and the Iraqis threw him out. Although, we still have some troops there.
    Obama started a war with Libya without Congressional approval and lied about there being “No American boots on the ground” until the military outed this lie.
    Obama continues the Afghanistan War.
    Obama sent our troops to Africa and they are still there, fighting.
    Obama the Warmonger who won a premature, undeserved Nobel Peace Prize.

    Report Post »  
  • mikenleeds
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:12pm

    all of this is in Revelations , people read your bible because you are heading toward a new world order

    Report Post » mikenleeds  
    • tomloy
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:02pm

      Yeah, I just hope I disappear before it gets real nasty.

      Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 6:54pm

      Disappearing will be an absolute thrill.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
    • Belchfire V-8
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:27pm

      Read the whole thing, He comes after the last Trumpet sounds. That is after the Great Tribulation. The war that leads to the tribulation is about to happen.

      Report Post » Belchfire V-8  
  • IsThereADifference
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:47pm

    Nothing like seeing the NWO at work.

    “It’s a small world after all“ ”It’s a small world after all“ ”It’s a small world after all”

    “It’s a small small world”

    Report Post » IsThereADifference  
  • Individualism
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:14pm

    Qatar has the 3rd largest oil reserve in the world make them pay for it. i might consider working there if there economy doesn;t die when electric cars are affordable and in all sizes. The pay is can be pretty high there and the hours not to bad, plus much lower taxes and free healthcare education and other stuff.

    Report Post » Individualism  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 4:11pm

    I am sure we can afford this.

    Report Post » Mutiny  

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