WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — From a hospital room on Jan. 11, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin orchestrated the U.S. retaliatory attack on Houthi militants. He then watched it unfold in real-time.

It was the latest in a series of actions Austin has conducted from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he is recovering from complications due to treatment for prostate cancer.

On Jan. 9, Austin revealed he has prostate cancer. That was the same day Houthis launched an onslaught of 18 drones and missiles at commercial and military vessels in Red Sea.

In the days since, Austin has turned his room into a secure communications suite. He has called top military leaders and talked to president Joe Biden, according to Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said, press secretary at U.S. Pentagon.

Austin’s hospital room setup is similar to when he travels, with full security and communications teams accompany him. It includes classified equipment needed to keep him connected.

Shortly after the Houthi attack, Austin recommended to the White House that military action was necessary. On Thursday, Biden approved the response and Austin gave the order to strike.

That evening, Austin issued a statement about the operation, which involved F/A-18 fighter jets and E-2C Hawkeye radar planes launching from aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. Air Force warplanes, a U.S. submarine and several other U.S. and British ships.

On Dec. 22, Austin underwent surgery. The procedure resulted in an infection. 

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