Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed Monday that all West Virginia National Guard personnel stationed in Qatar are safe and accounted for following a retaliatory missile strike by Iran on a U.S. air base.
The attack targeted Al Udeid Air Base near Doha, which houses U.S. and coalition forces. Iran launched a series of short- and long-range missiles after the United States bombed suspected nuclear facilities inside Iran on Sunday.
“In the wake of the recent attack by Iran, my office is in close contact with West Virginia’s military forces in the Middle East,” Morrisey said. “All of our West Virginia National Guard Airmen and Soldiers currently stationed in or deployed to Qatar are accounted for and safe.”
Rising Tensions in the Region
The missile strike on the air base comes amid escalating tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. On Sunday, B-2 bombers dropped 14 massive ordnance penetrator (MOP) bombs on three fortified Iranian sites believed to be uranium enrichment facilities. This followed two weeks of targeted strikes by Israel within Iran, hitting nuclear and military targets.
As regional tensions grow, neighboring countries such as Kuwait and Bahrain have closed their airspace, adding to concerns about further conflict.
When asked how many National Guard members from West Virginia are currently stationed in Qatar, the Governor’s Office noted that the number is classified.
A Strong U.S.-Qatar Partnership
The West Virginia National Guard has maintained a formal partnership with the Qatar Ministry of Defense since 2018. That relationship began after Qatar requested cooperation in 2016 and was officially solidified in 2021 with the signing of an agreement between U.S. and Qatari military leaders.
“I’m extremely pleased to commemorate the West Virginia National Guard’s ongoing partnership with Qatar,” former Gov. Jim Justice said in a 2021 statement. “West Virginians are patriotic and proud to help our allies protect against future threats.”
Retired National Guard Brig. Gen. William Crane added that the alliance not only supports U.S. national security objectives but also promotes peace and learning between both nations.
Continued Collaboration
The collaboration between West Virginia and Qatar has extended beyond defense strategy. Members of Qatar’s military have traveled to West Virginia for training, while National Guard teams have frequently visited Qatar.
Most recently, in January, a Cyber Protection Team from the Guard participated in a two-week international exercise aimed at strengthening defenses against cyberattacks.
Crane noted that the partnership has long-term benefits: “Our strategic alliance helps advance national security and peace in the region. There is much we can learn from each other.”
As global tensions remain high, West Virginia’s leaders and National Guard officials continue to monitor the situation, staying in close contact with deployed personnel and maintaining a focus on safety and readiness.
