Posted on 07/05/2006 12:40:29 PM PDT by bnelson44
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – U.S. Northern Command officials acknowledged today that the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea has launched a sixth short-range ballistic missile from Kittaeryong into the Sea of Japan.
It is the seventh launch from the DPRK that trained personnel stationed at the headquarters of the command based in Colorado Springs, Colo., have been able to detect and monitor since Tuesday.
USNORTHCOM personnel continue to monitor using various worldwide ground-, sea- and space-based sensors.
While Ground-based Midcourse Defense System interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., were operational during the flight, top officials from the command were able to determine quickly that the launch posed no threat to United States or its territories.
The GMD System is available when needed to defend the United States, its allies, infrastructure and population centers. Missile defense crews are trained and our systems are ready to respond as necessary. U.S. Northern Command has the primary responsibility to direct missile defense operations to protect the homeland, allies, friends and other national interests from potentially hostile acts.
Command officials will not discuss under what circumstances or conditions deployment of the interceptors will be considered.
USNORTHCOM statement on DPRK missile launches
July 4, 2006
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – As of 5:30 p.m. MST today, U.S. Northern Command officials acknowledged that the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea launched six ballistic missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 missile, from Taepodong at approximately 4 p.m. EDT.
USNORTHCOM personnel were immediately able to detect the launch of all the missiles and all of them landed in the Sea of Japan.
While Ground-based Midcourse Defense System interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., were operational during all the missile launches, top officials from the command were able to quickly determine the missiles posed no threat to the United States or its territories. The Taepodong-2 missile launch failed on its own in the early stages and landed in the Sea of Japan.
The GMD System, while not utilized for any of the launches, is available when needed to defend the United States, its allies, infrastructure and population centers. Our missile defense crews are trained and our systems are ready to respond as necessary. U.S. Northern Command has the primary responsibility to direct missile defense operations to protect the homeland, allies, friends and other national interests from potentially hostile acts.
Command officials will not discuss under what circumstances or conditions deployment of the interceptors will be considered.
http://www.northcom.mil/newsroom/news_release/2006/070406.htm
was this launched today?
Yes, the 7th one was.
I wonder if we would notice anything here in Fairbanks if they launched from Greeley. Probably not, even if the intercept occurs directly over Fairbanks.
Little kim couldn't get hi dong up. Perhaps should send him some viagra. We could send Albright to deliver it...
time zone diference confusion? 4th July is over indeed. but if they want to keep burning off expensive fuel...
"top officials from the command were able to determine quickly that the launch posed no threat to United States or its territories. "
If our D.C. leadership determines that we will not do anything to prevent the wmd-possessing lunatic from firing at us, I suppose it's a good thing that we can determine QUICKLY, after the fact, that the shots fired were no threat. *rolls eyes*
What does this all mean? That our Defense Department will ask the govt. to borrow more money from China to dump into Stars Wars Part Deux?
We also have sea-based SM-3 missiles aboard AEGIS vessels at sea and operational that could have taken it out, mid course, above the ocean if necessary.
That is as accurate as "People for the American Way".
My understanding is they have thousands of "tubes". But I don't know what that breaks down to.
Since they export quite a few of the short range SCUD type missiles, I suspect they have quite a few.
That was spin worthy of the NYTs.
Well now they are saying that little sob's playing with his missiles is causing oil prices to spike. Now he has pizzed me off.
I couldn't help but notice that all these short range/medium range missiles don't really make it too far at all. Heard something about a kill switch. How about if we shown them what long range really means...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.