“When he launches his missiles at Guam, we should shoot them down.o “
Nonsense.
We should take them out on the ground, before launch.
There’s no reason to risk the credibility of out ABM assets.
I agree with your post. While I have reason to believe the THAAD is highly reliable, and I like the idea of testing it with enemy missiles (saves us the cost of launching a target and answers a host of effectiveness issues in terms of a test being an accurate portrayal of the enemy.)
The fact is that putting a missile that may be armed on the launch pad is enough to trigger a response. We would not know the condition of the weapon (nuclear or non-nuclear - or inert) and we really would not know the targed (Guam, Japan, or Hawaii)
No, getting ready to launch is the trigger and I am sorry to say that I believe the foolish DPRK leader will do this soon.
Why use our assets at all?
Make the Russians and the Chinese take him out. They created that insanity back in the 40s, they can clean it up.
(Of course, it will take some persuasion on Trump’s part)