The Herald:

A U.S. artillery defensive system protecting U.S. and coalition forces at an Iraqi air base that came under attack this week struck down three or four incoming rockets before they hit, a defense official told McClatchy on Thursday.

The Pentagon issued a statement later and confirmed that four rockets were struck.

Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq is a large training and logistics hub for U.S.and coalition forces. It was targeted by approximately 10 short range rockets on Wednesday, resulting in the death of one U.S. contractor who had a heart attack while sheltering from the attack.

Al-Asad’s Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) missile defensive system “engaged” with the 122 mm rockets, the defense official told McClatchy on Thursday.

“We assess that C-RAM effectively engaged four of the ten rockets that impacted the base. None of the rockets made direct hits on any structure or vehicle. There was some minor shrapnel damage that will not have any impact on operations at Al Asad,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Navy Cmdr. Jessica L. McNulty in a statement…

Click here to read the full article.