Johnny Odom’s 22-year-old son has been deployed in Jordan with the Air Force since March. On his first day, the base was hit by Iranian missiles, forcing him and his unit to seek shelter. Six months later, Odom’s son remains in Jordan, where what was intended to be a routine tour has turned into a more perilous mission. Video footage from Odom’s son shows his base under aerial attack. Odom, a retired Army combat veteran, stated, "My son already has nightmares. He’s already suffering from all these things, these traumas from this war. He's not even home yet."
Approximately 50,000 American service members are currently deployed in the conflict with Iran, while around 40,000 troops, like Odom’s son, are stationed at bases in the Middle East as part of the U.S. military's standard operations. These troops are now within range of Iranian missiles, making their bases potential targets. Families of U.S. service members have reported that their loved ones are experiencing missile attacks that the Pentagon has not disclosed.
U.S. Central Command has not publicly shared details about many missile and drone attacks, citing concerns that such disclosures could compromise operational security and provide intelligence to Iran regarding U.S. vulnerabilities. Families express concern that the public is largely unaware of the risks posed by the ongoing hostilities with Iran and the damage inflicted on military bases.
Odom noted that missile attacks often occur at night, stating, "Right before they explode, the troops jump in the bunker and they shut the doors for protection." He described how the attacks can shift the bunkers significantly, indicating the severity of the situation.
Since the U.S. initiated airstrikes against Iranian targets on February 28, Iran has retaliated with numerous attacks on military bases in the region. According to the Department of Defense, 18 Americans have died and approximately 750 have been injured as a result of the conflict. A Pentagon inspector general report to Congress indicated that Iranian strikes have caused extensive damage to U.S. bases in several countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan.
Over 1,250 military family members were evacuated from the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain at the onset of the conflict. A U.S. official, who requested anonymity, stated that these families are unlikely to return soon.
Karen Marks’ sister, who was deployed with the Air National Guard in February, has had her deployment extended multiple times due to the ongoing conflict. Marks described a recent incident where her sister experienced a frightening night, although no one was harmed. Another father shared that his son’s barracks were destroyed in an Iranian missile attack, leading to significant changes in living conditions for the troops. He expressed concern for his son’s mental health due to the extended deployment.
Many bases in the Middle East have served as logistics hubs for decades, and with the onset of the war with Iran, these bases have been repurposed to support military operations in the region, despite not being part of the original deployment plans.