On March 4, the United States announced the temporary deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to Israel for the first time to conduct deployment readiness exercises. The system’s deployment is a part of the U.S. Dynamic Force Employment program, which will test the rapid response capabilities and proactive deployment presence of U.S. forces.

A U.S. European Command (EUCOM) press release indicated that U.S. troops “will practice operational procedures for augmenting Israel’s existing air and missile defense architecture,” including refinement of network connectivity and other multinational training exercises with the Israel Defense Forces. Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said the exercises will include tactical coordination on the ground and are an opportunity to “simulate different scenarios.”