The US Army can move a Patriot battery across the world in a matter of days.
US Army photo
The US Army's Patriot surface-to-air missile system has emerged as a cornerstone of its air defense operations in recent years, protecting American forces and allies from missile and drone threats.Getting one of the most in-demand air defense systems into position in a crisis is a massive logistical undertaking, but Army officers involved in past Patriot deployments told Business Insider that the US military can fly the crews, launchers, radars, and interceptors off to whatever hot spot needs them in just a matter of days.Deploying a Patriot battery in an emergency situation means soldiers may be sent with little warning, often with no clear sense of when they will return. These abrupt departures can be difficult for soldiers and their families."Ultimately, we're first responders," said Capt. Morgan Lloyd, a Patriot battery commander. "We needed to go, so we went," he said of a past deployment. "Soldiers were proud to do it."The first 48 hours after orders are givenThe Army has repeatedly had to surge Patriot batteries into hot spots in response to global crises in recent years, including Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the various conflicts in the Middle East.Deployments have differed in destination, but the Army officers Business Insider spoke with said the process was remarkably similar in execution.The calls came with little warning, triggering a scramble. Days later, though, the Patriots were in position, ready to defend the skies against airborne threats — everything from crewed planes to missiles to drones.
