Posted on 06/02/2009 5:21:03 PM PDT by Cindy
Note: Photos included.
Note: The following text is a quote:
Gates Gets Up-close Look at U.S. Missile Defense
By Fred W. Baker III American Forces Press Service
GREELY, Alaska, June 2, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates stepped down inside a missile silo here yesterday to get an up-close look at the system he says will protect the United States from an intercontinental ballistic missile threat.
Gates stopped here on his way back from an Asia security summit in Singapore, where North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile tests dominated the discussions of defense ministers from countries across the region.
Fort Greely, about 100 miles into the Alaskan interior from Fairbanks, is home to one of two ground-based, midcourse defense units housing missile interceptors on the West Coast. The other is at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
The stop was planned before North Korea’s recent actions that have caused alarm across the international community, Gates said. But now, he said, the hour-long stop here took on greater importance.
Gates acknowledged on the way here today during a stop in the Philippines that there are signs the North Koreans are “doing something” with another ballistic missile, but said it is unclear what they are doing. But he expressed confidence that this system could stop any potential threat from North Korea.
“If there were a launch from a rogue state such as North Korea, I have good confidence that we would be able to deal with it,” Gates said.
The unit here is the same one that successfully intercepted a mock enemy missile in a December 2008 test, employing a synchronized network of sensors in what officials called the largest and most complex test of the missile defense system to date.
“We have a good capability here,” Gates said after a tour of the site. “I think knowing that we have this and that it becomes more effective in each passing day should be a source of comfort to the American people in an uncertain world.”
Sixteen interceptors are in the ground here, with plans to add two more. Combined with those at Vandenberg Air Force Base, the United States will have 30 such interceptor systems. More could be added if needed, Gates said.
In a brief meeting with reporters, Gates said he has planned nearly $1 billion in the 2010 budget for the development of ground-based interceptors. The budget also allows for developing other missile technologies that protect troops in the field, ships at sea and provide theater defense, he added.
The secretary also said he would like to develop a defense system in Europe with radars in Russia and interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic.
A robust missile defense system for the United States at least should take care of tactical and theater needs and also offer protection against a limited intercontinental ballistic missile threat, Gates said.
North Korea’s recent actions have boosted support for the missile defense system, Gates said.
“In the past, there have been a number of skeptics of missile defense on Capitol Hill,” he said, “and I haven’t heard much out of those folks lately. If anything, I think what the North Koreans have done has won more adherence to the importance of our having at least a limited missile defense capability in the Congress.”
Work began on the missile defense installation at Fort Greely in the summer of 2002, originally planning for up to 30 anti-ballistic missiles there by 2010.
The missile defense system is designed to defend the United States against intermediate- and long-range ballistic missile attacks in the midcourse phase of flight, or while they are arching in the exoatmosphere -- the region of space just outside the Earth's atmosphere.
The 54-foot-6-inch interceptors look like missiles, but no explosive warheads are attached. The main body acts as a booster vehicle to propel into space the embedded kill vehicle, a 150-pound “smart bullet” that basically steers itself into the path of the oncoming warhead, causing an explosion on impact.
Gates, a former Air Force officer who more than 40 years ago worked with nuclear missiles, was asked by a local journalist what he thought of the interceptor he’d seen in the silo here.
“You know, a missile looks like a missile,” he joked. “You just make sure the pointy end is up.”
Biographies: Robert M. Gates Related Sites: Travels With Gates Fort Greely
"Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates stepped down inside a missile silo here yesterday to get an up-close look at the system he says will protect the United States from an intercontinental ballistic missile threat."
"Gates acknowledged on the way here today during a stop in the Philippines that there are signs the North Koreans are “doing something” with another ballistic missile, but said it is unclear what they are doing. But he expressed confidence that this system could stop any potential threat from North Korea."
Not as long as Zero is the Teleprompter in Chief and refuses to use it.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates stepped down inside a missile silo here yesterday to get an up-close look at the system he says will protect the United States from an intercontinental ballistic missile threat.Hey, no effing way, Obama has said that missile defense has been a failure. Oh, NOW, as North Korea becomes a clear and present danger, with Iran right behind, I see...
Bunch of lying hypocrites.
I thought Gates was cutting the program....?
UPDATE:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090602/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/gates_missile_defense
(AP)
“More missile defense spending possible”
SNIPPET: “FORT GREELY, Alaska – Defense Secretary Robert Gates isn’t ruling out spending more on missile defense than what he’s asked for in next year’s budget if North Korea or other nations increase threats against the United States.
Gates said the missile tests by North Korea over the past week appear to have attracted more support on Capitol Hill for missile interceptors.”
*I thought Gates was cutting the program*
Gov. Palin sent notices to D.C. re the need for Missile defense. She also had in her office Generals from Air Force Pacific Command.
She let D.C. know she wants defense from North Korean milliles.
As an aside, if any of you ever visit Tucson, be sure to head about 10 miles South on the Freeway and pay a visit to the Titan II Missile Museum, to see the last part of the missile system that defended America for 40 years.
http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/
They have a very classy visitors center, and you can take a guided tour of the underground command and control center, and see a 5-story tall dummy missile still in the silo.
And ironically, it is just a two miles away from the over 300-year-old, but still in use, Mission San Xavier del Bac, the most photographed building in Arizona, church and Catholic elementary school.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Xavier_del_Bac
Thank you yefragetuwrabrumuy.
If I’m ever in that area I’ll stop by there.
#
IMHO, if NK were to launch a missile at us, that missile site would be ordered to stand down and the NK missile would strike our country without our Apologist in Chief authorizing a defensive launch to intercept it.
Speaking of that tech - some of the “atomic explosion detectors” are still in use, here in Alaska.
They are used to monitor thunderstorms and possible (related) forest fires.
Sadly, I think you’re right.
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