The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile made its combat debut in the opening hours of Operation Iraq Freedom March 20, scoring two kills on short-range ballistic missiles, defense officials said.

A PAC-3 battery based with the 101st Airborne Division at Camp New Jersey, Kuwait, fired three missiles at two incoming targets, identified as short-range surface-to-surface missiles, according to an Army statement.

Two more missiles broke through the Army's air defenses in a separate attack, according to several news reports, but military officials could not confirm details.

Army officials at the scene reported that the first PAC-3 missile fired during the attack destroyed an incoming Ababil 100 surface-to-surface missile.