US makes missile defense system operational (Reuters)

Reuters via Yahoo! ^ | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 | Will Dunham

[Momaw Nadon]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has moved its ground-based interceptor missile defense system from test mode to operational amid concerns over an expected North Korean missile launch, a U.S. defense official said on Tuesday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed a Washington Times report that the Pentagon has activated the system, which has been in the developmental stage for years.

"It's good to be ready," the official said.

U.S. officials say evidence such as satellite pictures suggests Pyongyang may have finished fueling a Taepodong-2 missile, which some experts said could reach as far as Alaska.

"There's real caution in how to characterize it so as to not be provocative in our own approach," the defense official said of the move to activate the system.

The Pentagon and State Department have said a North Korean missile launch would be seen as "provocative."

While military officials also note the United States has a limited missile defense system, they have so far declined to comment on any details about the capabilities or potential use of the system to intercept a North Korean missile.

(Additional reporting by Kristin Roberts)

[Momaw Nadon]

FYI and discussion

[Momaw Nadon]

"It's good to be ready," the official said.

[epluribus_2]

Jimmy Carter probably just fainted. Mondale, too, after muttering "Freeze Now, Freeze Now..."

[paudio]

I think one way or another there will be more countries that have nuclear weapons. Having the missile defense system is a logical path to defend US soil. Negotiations in diplomatic arena should be used only to buy time so that the defense system can be 100% ready.

[Fighting Irish]

Wonder at what DEFCON level we are at right now....

[Vaquero]

shoot it down!

[edpc]

The Pentagon and State Department have said a North Korean missile launch would be seen as "provocative."

This photo is considered "provacative" in N. Korea and disgusting everywhere else.....

[Hexenhammer]

Too bad we can't make a catapult to fling those two dingbats at incoming missiles.

[MediaMole]

If we shoot down the Taepodong, does that make it a No-dong missile?

[not2worry]

Wonder what action the environmentalist will do on Tiny Kim's intentions?

Guess they would rather see Alaska nuked than allow drilling in Anwar

IMHO, it's not over oil it about destroying the United States of America.

Our alternative oil supply gets nuked, NK, China and Iran join forces and we cut and run in Iraq.

It's good to be ready, but for what end? The DEMS will need a Congressional debate, a review of our defense technology, the position of our antimissile defense system and a detailed report with book before President Bush can decide what to do.

Just like 9/11 it's not about protecting the United States of America, it's about protecting the human rights of other Countries.

[WestSylvanian]

Good old Reagan. It was Providential that he was president and got this thing going. We should get these systems developed and stop wasting precious resources trying to bail out the corrupt, incompetent Latin American governments who are dumping their uneducated huddled masses on us to take care of.

[Kozak]

Makes it a "Dong gone".

[oh8eleven]

[captnorb]

Want to guess if we are retargeting?

[TexasCajun]

"Whaaaaat? I Do Nuting Wong! Just Wittle Test"

"I Wuv Maddie Long Time"

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

My guess is anything ballistic.

[RKV]

So lets game this a bit. Potential outcomes are...
1) NK doesnt launch
2) NK launches
a) and we shoot it down
b) and we try to shoot it down and miss
c) and we dont try to take it out
What happens to the players in each scenario?

[Momaw Nadon]

"I Wuv Maddie Long Time"

LOL!!!

Thanks! I'm cleaning the soda off my monitor now.

[Frank_Discussion]

Well, for one thing, there's one more potential move in the game that comes to mind:

d) Take out the launch site, possibly in conjunction with a, b, or c.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Want to guess if we are retargeting?

Yes, the real message is not that we are firing up Star Wars, but are sending a message about our capabilities to the nutcakes in NK.