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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and regional partners have opened a new coordination facility at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar to enhance integrated air and missile defense capabilities across the Middle East, the command said Tuesday.
The new hub, known as the Middle Eastern Air Defense Combined Defense Operations Cell (MEAD-CDOC), is designed to improve coordination, data sharing, and joint responses to aerial and missile threats among U.S. forces and partner nations.
“This is a significant step forward in strengthening regional defense cooperation,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM’s deputy commander. “This cell will improve how regional forces coordinate and share air and missile defense responsibilities across the Middle East.”
CENTCOM said the new cell is integrated into the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), which oversees air operations throughout the region. The MEAD-CDOC is staffed by personnel from the United States and partner countries.
According to the statement, U.S. Air Forces Central personnel will work alongside regional counterparts to organize multinational training activities, conduct joint drills, and plan responses to potential contingencies.
The facility will also oversee threat warnings and real-time data sharing related to air and missile defense.
The expansion follows the establishment last year of bilateral missile defense command posts involving Qatar and Bahrain, created by U.S. Army Central as part of broader efforts to enhance regional defensive integration.
Originally established more than two decades ago, the Qatar-based CAOC now hosts officials from 17 nations responsible for managing the deployment and coordination of military air assets across the Middle East.
CENTCOM said the new coordination cell reflects ongoing efforts to deepen interoperability among regional partners amid evolving air and missile threats.
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