{"id":16791,"date":"2020-03-16T14:11:51","date_gmt":"2020-03-16T14:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:54:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:54:32","slug":"us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. military says its re-positioning some troops from a few smaller bases following a deadly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2020\/03\/14\/iraq-officials-rocket-attack-hits-base-housing-us-troops\/\" target=\"_blank\">rocket attack <\/a>in Iraq that claimed the lives of two U.S. troops and a U.K. service member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Operation Inherent Resolve \u2014 the U.S.-led mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria \u2014 told Military Times in an emailed statement Monday that coalition troops were being re-positioned due to the the success of Iraqi forces in their fight against ISIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese bases remain under Iraqi control and we will continue our advising partnership for the permanent defeat of Daesh from other Iraqi military bases. The Coalition remains in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq to defeat ISIS,\u201d OIR said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/13\/us-keeping-two-carriers-in-mideast-moving-patriot-missile-batteries-into-iraq-as-iran-tensions-mount\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/babelmandeb.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">US keeping two carriers in Mideast, moving Patriot missile batteries into Iraq as Iran tensions mount<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">\u201cI would caution Iran and its proxies from attempting a response that would endanger U.S. and coaltion forces,\u201d McKenzie said. \u201cWe have the flexibility, the capability, and the will to respond to any threat.\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Iraqi forces have liberated most of Iraq from ISIS\u2019 control, the U.S. announcement Monday that it\u2019s moving forces follows a couple of high profile rocket attacks in Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The commander of U.S. Central Command has also voiced difficulties providing protection from rocket attacks targeting coalition forces housed at Iraqi bases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The re-positioning of coalition forces in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/11\/more-than-15-small-rockets-slam-iraqi-base-housing-coalition-troops\/\" target=\"_blank\">Iraq<\/a> was first reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/military\/u-s-planning-move-some-troops-out-iraq-n1159916\" target=\"_blank\">NBC News<\/a>. NBC reported, citing 3 U.S. defense officials, that U.S. troops will be moved from a base near the Syrian border known as al-Qaim and the Qayyarah Airfield West near Mosul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Al-Qaim has been a hotbed of activity for Iran-backed militias. In December 2019, U.S. warplanes launched retaliatory airstrikes in al-Qaim against an Iran-backed militia known as Kataib Hezbollah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The militia group is believed to be responsible for over a dozen rocket attacks targeting coalition and U.S. troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NBC also reported that U.S. troops will possibly leave the K-1 Air Base in Kirkuk \u2014 the site of a deadly Dec. 27, 2019, rocket attack that nearly led to a war with Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/01\/09\/this-is-what-its-like-to-survive-a-deadly-rocket-attack-in-iraq\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rocketattack2.jfif_.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">What it\u2019s like to survive a deadly rocket attack and the Iranian missile barrage in Iraq<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">\u201cSecond rocket, third rocket came I thought: \u201cThis is it, we are getting rocketed.\u201d Lights went out and darkness set in as rockets continued to hail on us.&quot;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taji was rocked a second time in a week after 25 rockets slammed the base on Saturday wounding three U.S. troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">C-RAM systems can be used to defend bases from indirect fire and mortars, but Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the CENTCOM commander, explained they\u2019re often used to bolster the defense of Patriot systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patriot missile batteries are moving into Iraq to help counter a potential Iran ballistic missile strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Camp Taji, the Iraqi base hit by 18 rockets on March 11, did not have a C-RAM system. McKenzie told reporters that CENTCOM has to \u201cruthlessly prioritize\u201d where it places defensive equipment because there are more troops than systems and assets available to protect everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">McKenzie said it was an \u201cunpleasant fact\u201d but the U.S. \u201ccan\u2019t have C-RAM everywhere.\u201d The CENTCOM commander also noted that the C-RAM is \u201cnot a panacea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Friday, McKenzie said the threat from Iran \u201cremains very high\u201d following the latest rocket attack against coalition forces involving an Iran-backed Shia militia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":37030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":8,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":{"2":{"categories":["flashpoints","news","left-column","home","pentagon-congress"],"primary_category":"flashpoints"},"4":{"categories":["flashpoints","daily-news-roundup","newsletters","middle-column","home","pentagon-congress","news"],"primary_category":"flashpoints"},"6":{"categories":["flashpoints","daily-news-roundup","newsletters","pentagon-congress","news"],"primary_category":"flashpoints"},"7":{"categories":["flashpoints","daily-news-roundup","newsletters","pentagon-congress","news"],"primary_category":"flashpoints"}}},"categories":[100,8,23,93,12,25,68],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3351],"class_list":["post-16791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-flashpoints","category-home","category-middle-column","category-news","category-newsletters","category-pentagon-congress"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"HDC5ZDOVRFHGJBMBIOIJIX5Y7A","arc_canonical_url":"\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack - Army Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Army Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-03-16T14:11:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T01:54:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Shawn Snow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Shawn Snow\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"headline\": \"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2020-03-16T14:11:51+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T01:54:32+00:00\",\n\t            \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"wordCount\": 509,\n\t            \"commentCount\": 0,\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/6072665.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"articleSection\": [\n\t                \"Daily News Roundup\",\n\t                \"Flashpoints\",\n\t                \"Home\",\n\t                \"Middle Column\",\n\t                \"News\",\n\t                \"Newsletters\",\n\t                \"Pentagon &amp; Congress\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t                    \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/#respond\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack - Army Times\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#website\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/6072665.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2020-03-16T14:11:51+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T01:54:32+00:00\",\n\t            \"description\": \"The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.\",\n\t            \"breadcrumb\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/#breadcrumb\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/#primaryimage\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/6072665.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/6072665.jpg.jpg\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/16\\\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\\\/#breadcrumb\",\n\t            \"itemListElement\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 1,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Home\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"home\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 2,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Flashpoints\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/flashpoints\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"flashpoints\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 3,\n\t                    \"name\": \"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack\"\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#website\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Army Times\",\n\t            \"description\": \"Independent News For Soldiers | Army Times\",\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t                        \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t                    },\n\t                    \"query-input\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"PropertyValueSpecification\",\n\t                        \"valueRequired\": true,\n\t                        \"valueName\": \"search_term_string\"\n\t                    }\n\t                }\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#organization\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Army Times\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"logo\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/army-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/army-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"Army Times\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"\n\t            }\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\",\n\t            \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"migration\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/author\\\/migration\\\/\"\n\t        }\n\t    ]\n\t}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack - Army Times","description":"The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack","og_description":"The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.","og_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/","og_site_name":"Army Times","article_published_time":"2020-03-16T14:11:51+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-08T01:54:32+00:00","author":"Shawn Snow","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Shawn Snow","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/"},"author":{"name":"migration","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1"},"headline":"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack","datePublished":"2020-03-16T14:11:51+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T01:54:32+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/"},"wordCount":509,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6072665.jpg.jpg","articleSection":["Daily News Roundup","Flashpoints","Home","Middle Column","News","Newsletters","Pentagon &amp; Congress"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/","name":"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack - Army Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6072665.jpg.jpg","datePublished":"2020-03-16T14:11:51+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T01:54:32+00:00","description":"The coalition has come under criticism for not fielding counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, or C-RAM systems at Iraqi bases, especially Camp Taji, which has been the target of multiple rocket attacks.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6072665.jpg.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6072665.jpg.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/16\/us-re-positioning-some-troops-from-smaller-bases-in-iraq-following-deadly-rocket-attack\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/","ad_zone":"home"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Flashpoints","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/","ad_zone":"flashpoints"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"US re-positioning some troops from smaller bases in Iraq following deadly rocket attack"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#website","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/","name":"Army Times","description":"Independent News For Soldiers | Army Times","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#organization","name":"Army Times","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/army-logo-white.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/army-logo-white.png","caption":"Army Times"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1","name":"migration","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"migration"},"url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/author\/migration\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6072665.jpg.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Army Times","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16791","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16791"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16791\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":92102,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16791\/revisions\/92102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16791"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16791"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=16791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}