US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday announced the establishment of the Middle Eastern Air Defense - Combined Defense Operations Cell (MEAD-CDOC), to operate within the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
MEAD-CDOC will act as a "new coordination cell... designed to enhance coordination and integration for air and missile defense efforts among regional partners," CENTCOM stated.
Soldiers from US Air Force Central (AFCENT) will work alongside regional partners at MEAD-CDOC in "planning multinational exercises, conducting drills, and responding to contingencies," CENTCOM confirmed.
MEAD-CDOC will also be "responsible for sharing information and threat warnings."
CAOC was established over 20 years ago, and includes representatives from 17 nations who "coordinate the employment of military air assets across the Middle East," CENTCOM clarified.
Opening MEAD-CDOC follows the opening of bilateral Combined Command Posts for air and missile defense by CENTCOM with Qatar and Bahrain in 2025. The new facilities serve as "hubs for integrated air defense planning, coordination, and operations," CENTCOM stated.
"This is a significant step forward in strengthening regional defense cooperation," CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper said.
MEAD-CDOC "will improve how regional forces coordinate and share air and missile defense responsibilities across the Middle East," Cooper added.
"The MEAD-CDOC creates a consistent venue to share expertise and collectively create new solutions together with our regional partners. This strengthens our integrated air and missile defense throughout the region," AFCENT chief Lt.-Gen. Derek France stated.
This announcement comes amid speculation over whether the US will militarily intervene in ongoing protests across Iran.
Iran targeted Al Udeid Air Base amid closure of June's Israel-Iran war
Iran launched 10 ballistic missiles towards Al Udeid Air Base on June 23, shortly before the ceasefire between Israel, the US, and Iran came into effect after 12 days of conflict.
Iran stated this was in retaliation for the US airstrikes on three nuclear facilities, which occurred the previous day.
No US personnel were killed or injured in Iran's attack against Al Udeid Air Base.
However, the ballistic missiles may have caused damage to the base, London-based anti-Iranian regime outlet Iran International reported in July.
Authorities had previously issued a warning that Al Udeid - the largest American base in the Middle East - could be the target of an imminent Iranian attack, The Jerusalem Post was told at the time by a source familiar with the details.
The US was briefed before the attack via diplomatic channels. Israel was also notified about when and what the Iranians were expected to attack, a regional diplomat confirmed to the Post at the time.
Amichai Stein and Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.