U.S. ambassador visits Iron Dome battery in south
Iron Dome was recently redeployed to Ashkelon region due to increase in rocket fire from Gaza

by Rotem Eliav
Israel Defense Forces
August 9, 2011

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/2351/us-ambassador-visits-iron-dome-battery-in-south

Newly-appointed U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro visited on Tuesday (August 9) an Iron Dome battery that is currently deployed in southern Israel.

The battery was redeployed to the Ashkelon region last week due to a recent increase in rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Shapiro toured the site and received a threat briefing.

"I'm pleased to be here with my friends from the IDF and learn from them about the successful Iron Dome system," Shapiro said.

The ambassador talked about previous U.S. support for anti-missile systems utilized by the IDF, including the Iron Dome, Magic Wand and Arrow.

"April marked the first success of this new technology, made possible by the well-trained, brilliant IDF operators." Shapiro said. "In the name of the U.S., I am proud to be part of this great accomplishment to defeat missiles launched at civilians and I am looking forward to the continued development of the system to protect more people."

Col. Zvika Haimovitch addressed the recent redeployment of the Iron Dome in the south: "The objective of the Iron Dome is to defend Israel's people and communities, regardless of location or time frame. We adjust to changing circumstances. I do not consider this redeployment to be unusual."

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