Army to conduct Patriot missile test in Palau starting this week

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Koror--The 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command will conduct a nine-day live-fire exercise at the Palau International Airport in Airai starting this week, the U.S. Embassy in Koror announced today.

The exercise, which will start on Aug. 14 and continue until Aug. 14, will test the MIM-104 Patriot missile system, a surface-to-air system capable of intercepting cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and aircraft.

"Live-fire exercises like this one are one of the most valuable ways for air defenders to train, ensuring we have the ability to defend our allies and partners," the embassy states in a post on Instagram.

The live fire training will use drones as surrogate targets flying in a designated area over the ocean to the east of Palau, where Patriot interceptor missiles will engage them.

During the exercise, access will be restricted near-shore areas and waters under the flight path during launch and where debris may fall from overhead, the embassy said.

The Palau Bureau of Public Safety and the Airai State Rangers will be assisting in securing the area during the training event.

The Palau National Aviation Administration will notify air missions to ensure that aircraft avoid the area.

Officials said conducting training in different locations across the region enables the military to continue enhancing its proficiency to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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