Israel Bids Farewell to U.S. ‘Scudbusters’

With flags, hugs and folk music, Israel said thanks and goodby Tuesday to the U.S. Patriot missile crews who defended its cities against Iraqi missiles.

“I hope we will never be in need of your help again, but if we do, I am sure we will be able to count on you--the Scudbusters,” Israel’s air force commander, Maj. Gen. Avihu Bin Nun, told the soldiers, based in a field on the southern outskirts of Tel Aviv.

The nearly 700 soldiers were airlifted from Germany to Israel 10 weeks ago with their Patriot antimissile batteries after the first Iraqi Scud missile barrage was fired at the Jewish state. They were the first foreign troops deployed on a combat mission in Israel.

The four missile batteries have already been loaded onto ships, and the troops are being flown back to their bases in Germany, said Col. David K. Heebner, the commander of the U.S. force.

During five weeks of Scud attacks, at least two people were killed and more than 200 were injured. Nevertheless, at U.S. behest, Israel didn not jeopardize Arab involvement in the allied Gulf War coalition by retaliating. It depended on the Patriots.