After Two Months, DOD Reports Damage Of "Several Million Dollars" From January Attack On Ain Al-Assad Airbase In Iraq
11 February 2020
From Issue Insight: On 8 January 2020, Iran launched eight Katyusha rockets which impacted the Ain Al-Asad airbase in Anbar Province, Iraq. Reporting indicated that inside the airbase, a restaurant, runway, equipment, and bunkers were among assets impacted- damaged and/or destroyed. What is the U.S. Dollar value of 1) the assets that were destroyed 2) the assets that were damaged 3) what will be the cost to repair assets that were damaged? 4) What will be the cost to replace assets that were destroyed and 5) what is the time-frame for the repairs and replacement? I am on a soft deadline.
11 February 2020
From DOD: I think you are asking about the ballistic missile attack on Ain Al-Assad airbase, correct? The ballistic missiles fired by Iran are substantially larger than Katyusha rockets. I am not sure that we currently have a dollar value estimate. My team will dig into this tomorrow and see what they can get for you.
2 April 2020
From DOD: The estimated cost for ongoing facility and infrastructure repairs related to the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Ain Al-Assad airbase amounts to several million dollars. Due to operational security concerns, I cannot provide further details on this. If needed, you may attribute this to Cmdr. Zachary Harrell, a U.S. Central Command spokesperson.
3 April 2020
From Issue Insight: While I am immensely disappointed that the response is limited in depth, I appreciate the follow-up. Two questions: 1) You reference "several" which means three; so am I accurate to use US$3 million? 2) When were or when will all repairs be completed?
3 April 2020
From DOD: We used the following Merriam-Webster definition of several: “more than two but fewer than many.” Due to operational security concerns, I cannot provide further details on this.
