The overnight incident underscored the transformation of the Jordanian Air Force from a former adversary to a critical ally of Israel.
Conference participants cheered and clapped when the announcement was made and renewed celebration when it was reported that Yemeni and Iraqi factions may have also joined in the attack.
At the direction of President Biden, Austin said US forces intercepted dozens of missiles and UAVs en route to Israel launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
Hagari added that zero of the close to 200 drones and zero of the 30 cruise missiles got through to Israeli territory at all.
Seven-year-old girl from Bedouin village seriously wounded in Iranian attack. • US, Israel, UK, Jordan intercept Iranian projectiles
As tensions mount between Israel and Iran and its proxies, a cross-border firing exchange resulted in a member of Kibbutz Hanita's emergency standby squad being seriously injured.
At around 11:30 p.m. on Monday night, sirens sounded in Eilat and the Eilot region after a UAV infiltrated into Israeli territory.
The UAV squadron's roles will include carrying out targeted airstrikes and intelligence-gathering missions on the southern and northern borders, as well as in the West Bank.
While traditional aerial units provide surveillance and reconnaissance, the Sky Riders’ focus is on the immediate areas surrounding ground troops to which they are assigned, using low-flying drones.
Iran recently unveiled its new UAV named "Gaza," claiming it can reach distances of thousands of kilometers.