In the peaceful countryside of rural Indiana, U.S. Army Reservist Andrea Hayden enjoys the tranquility with her faithful companion – her dog, Ruby.
This calm environment is a stark contrast to her time deployed in Iraq. Hayden enlisted during a period marked by U.S. involvement in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
While U.S. troops have withdrawn from Afghanistan in 2021, there are still around 2,500 American troops stationed in Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, a mission aimed at combating the terrorist group ISIS. Hayden served as a medic during her deployments, and it was during her final deployment at the Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq that everything changed for her.
“There was a warning,” she recalled. “I sensed that something was off.”
In January 2020, Iran-backed militias launched a barrage of ballistic missiles towards U.S. and coalition troops at Al-Asad. Video footage captured by an American drone documented the attack.
“It felt like an earthquake. Everything shook,” Hayden recounted. “The bunker filled with dust. Then it was just about holding on for dear life.”
It was the largest ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces overseas, but unfortunately, it wasn’t the last instance of troops coming under fire.
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Scripps News examined data from the Department of Defense and discovered that since the Al-Asad attack, there have been multiple attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, resulting in the deaths of seven service members and nearly 400 injuries.
The frequency of attacks on U.S. troops has increased since October 7, 2023, coinciding with the start of the Israel-Gaza war.
Subsequently, there have been at least 183 attacks on U.S. troops on land and at least 246 sea-based strikes by Houthi rebels in Yemen backed by Iran. These attacks have left 183 U.S. service members injured and three dead.
Caitlin Lee, a warfare analyst at the RAND Corporation, noted that the threats faced by U.S. troops in the region have evolved significantly over the past decade, encompassing everything from advanced missiles to low-cost drones.
“We’re witnessing a proliferation of small, inexpensive drones in warfare,” Lee explained. “These drones can be equipped with mortars or other weapons, essentially functioning as flying improvised explosive devices (IEDs).”
When questioned about the readiness of U.S. troops to counter drone warfare, Lee expressed the need for significant preparation and adaptation to address this emerging threat.
Andrea Hayden’s experience surviving the Al-Asad attack led to her and some of her comrades being awarded the Purple Heart, despite initial underestimation of the attack’s impact due to no fatalities. Hayden commended her commanding officers for advocating for their injuries and facilitating the Purple Heart recognition.
Receiving the Purple Heart marked a significant step in Hayden’s healing journey, providing access to different forms of support. She acknowledged the importance of acknowledging and addressing wounds that often go unseen among veterans.
These invisible wounds pose a continued risk to U.S. troops, as exemplified by a recent drone attack on a base in Syria that resulted in injuries to eight service members. U.S. officials attribute this attack to Iran-backed militias, highlighting the ongoing threats faced by troops in the Middle East.
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