U.S. troops had little protection from drone strike that killed six, imagery shows

"The building that was struck - a prefabricated, triple-wide trailer-style structure - was flanked by tall concrete barriers to protect against ground threats, said Sean O'Connor, a satellite imagery analyst with Janes. But it "possessed limited defenses able to protect it from a ballistic missile or drone strike," lacking overhead protection to defend against the main threats to U.S. bases in the Middle East, he said."

"The Army's counter-drone manual, updated last year, makes clear that troops and commanders should assess which sites are likely to be attacked and build overhead protection, which often includes steel reinforced roofs and coverings. Protecting important structures like operations centers helps shield from enemy observation and limits "the damaging effects of an aerial attack," the manual says."

Six U.S. troops died in an Iranian retaliatory drone strike on Sunday at Shuaiba port in Kuwait, making them the only known American casualties from the operation that began Saturday. The attack targeted a prefabricated trailer-style building housing a logistical support unit within a tactical operations center. While the structure had concrete barriers protecting against ground threats, it lacked overhead defenses such as reinforced roofs and coverings needed against ballistic missiles and drone strikes. The Army's counter-drone manual emphasizes that commanders should assess attack vulnerability and implement overhead protection for critical structures. At least 10 American military outposts and allied bases in France and Britain were also hit during the retaliatory strikes.

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