Title: Unprecedented Iranian Attack Reveals Long-lasting Brain Injuries Among US Troops
Date: [Insert Date]
The Al Asad airbase in Iraq’s western Anbar desert bore witness to an unprecedented Iranian ballistic missile attack in January 2020 that offered a chilling preview of the long-lasting injuries American troops are likely to sustain in future conflicts. While no US soldiers lost their lives during the attack, more than 100 were later diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
On January 8, 2020, just five days after the assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a US drone attack in Baghdad, Iran launched 11 ballistic missiles at the Al Asad airbase, which hosts hundreds of US troops. The attack has been described as the largest ballistic attack against Americans in history. Despite minimal warning and lack of air defenses to intercept the missiles, US soldiers miraculously survived, escaping severe physical harm.
However, subsequent medical evaluations revealed that 109 American personnel at the base had suffered TBIs, leaving them with recurring headaches and symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for the remainder of their lives. In recognition of their injuries, several troops were awarded Purple Hearts.
Major Robert Hales, the highest-ranking medical doctor on the base during the attack, highlighted the limited understanding of brain traumas caused by such attacks. The unique nature of the missile assault, with no historical precedent of a ground force being exposed to 11 theater ballistic missiles, has complicated research efforts.
A report published in August by the Journal of the American College of Surgeons warned that TBIs would become increasingly prevalent among US troops in conflicts against near-peer adversaries. These adversaries possess capabilities comparable to those of the US military.
Previous US wars since 2001 primarily involved unconventional tactics employed by insurgents and terrorist groups. US military dominance in the air, ground, and sea enabled the relatively unhindered evacuation of wounded troops. However, conflicts against near-peer adversaries would likely introduce heavier and longer-range weaponry, as seen in the ongoing fighting in Ukraine.
The report highlights the Al Asad attack as a rare modern instance of US troops facing near-peer adversary-level weapons and suffering significant numbers of debilitating TBIs. Moreover, the likelihood of a near-peer adversary deploying long-range sensors and weapons far behind the frontline makes it more challenging to evacuate wounded personnel from the battlefield.
Additionally, the erosion of America’s air superiority, as evidenced by recent campaigns in the Middle East, poses further obstacles to air evacuation efforts. The proliferation of small and medium-sized drones in the region has created a new and complex threat to the US forces and their partners.
As the possibility of future conflicts or limited engagements with near-peer adversaries increases, significant efforts are required to prevent and treat TBIs. The Al Asad attack serves as a stark reminder of the lethal dangers that await US troops on the battlefields of tomorrow.
Freelance journalist and columnist Paul Iddon, who specializes in Middle East developments, military affairs, politics, and history, contributed to this article.
Note: The information and claims presented in this article are sourced from various experts, publications, and reports.