NATO Starts Deploying Patriot Missiles in Turkey

NATO has started deploying Patriot missiles in Turkey Friday to defend against threats from neighbouring Syria, according to the US military's European Command (Eucom).

Approximately 400 US personnel and equipment from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery (3-2 ADA) based at Fort Sill, Okla., will continue to flow into Turkey over the next several days by US military airlift.

The troops will man two Patriot batteries supporting NATO's mission there. Additional equipment will be moved by sea, arriving later this month.

The deployment of six Patriot batteries, including two each from Germany and the Netherlands, is in response to Turkey's request to NATO. The forces will augment Turkey's air defense capabilities and contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along the Alliance's border.

NATO recently approved Turkey's request for Patriot missiles to defend its border against Syria following a series of blunt warnings to Damascus not to use chemical weapons.