SAUDI ARABIA U.S. expanding troop, fighter jet presence at base
PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, Saudi Arabia — Across the vast expanse of this desert air base, hundreds of tents have popped up and a newly arrived squadron of U.S. Air Force F15E fighters is lined up on the tarmac, flying daily missions over Iraq and Syria. Off in the distance, two American Patriot missile batteries are scanning the skies, prepared to knock down any Iranian attack against the Saudi kingdom.
The U.S. troop presence here has grown to roughly 2,500 since last summer, when the U.S. announced it had begun deploying forces to what once was a major U.S. military hub. The return of U.S. forces to Prince Sultan Air Base is one of the more dramatic signs of
America’s decision to beef up troops in the Middle East in response to threats from Iran.
On Wednesday, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East spent a few hours meeting with his commanders and troops here, assessing what he called a “sweet spot” of U.S. force projection in the region.
Prince Sultan Air Base, said Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, presents a complicated target for Iran to hit and provides a remote location for U.S. troops, fighter jets and other assets. It also provides greater security for Saudi Arabia, which asked for U.S. help in the wake of an Iranian drone and missile attack on oil facilities in the kingdom last September.
Right now, the large white tents that flap in the stiff winds give a temporary feel to the mission. But according to Air
Force Col. Jason King, vice commander of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing here, there is “prudent planning” under way that could lead to the tents being replaced with trailers and other more permanent structures.
Saudi Arabia is a decadeslong American ally, a relationship initially built on America’s dependence on Middle East oil. The military connection has been strong, even during periods of stress in the broader relationship, including in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in which most of the hijackers were Saudis. The kingdom also has been harshly criticized in Congress for the 2018 killing of Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and for its role in errant air strikes in Yemen that have killed or injured many civilians.
Speaking to troops inside one of the large tents, McKenzie acknowledged the lessthanideal living conditions. But he said their presence sends a signal to Iran that the U.S. is serious, and it also gives him more options for any military action in the region.