Could it be stationed there to take out any cruise missiles launched from the Gulf of Mexico...

This is just one Patriot Missile Battery. Would be interesting if it were occurring at other small regional airports that ring the Gulf of Mexico...

Just imagine Tankers or Merchant ships launching cruise missiles (Club-K) off their decks. It would be a very short response time before they hit their intended targets. If the military positions enough of these missile batteries, in key areas, it could provide a small level of protection and limit the damage done by a cruise missile attack...