Why is the military moving back into base deep under the Rocky Mountains?

Daily Mail ^ | 4/8/15 | James Nye

[AllAmericanGirl44]

Bkmk

[PIF]

Yes, the Russians have satellite-guided missile system launchers (Club-K) that are identical to cargo ship containers.

[bayliving]

The question then becomes, can they place a large enough nuclear warhead into one of those things to generate a large enough EMP to knock out power to most of the United States?

[PIF]

Yes. Short answer. And: Why would they launch only one as they are configured four to a set?

The longest range missile in the system however is only 500 Km. It is primarily designed as an anti-ship system. To be effective as an EMP burster, it will have to detonate high in the atmosphere to be really effective, 500 km might eliminate the current known versions as EMP bursters.

No one seems to be willing to say the 3M-14KE, Kh-35UE are nuke capable, but the payloads are big enough and their parent missiles are nuke capable. Keep in mind this system is the export version which means Russia could have sold it to Iran or some other entity.

[Steve_Seattle]

"The idea that they are preparing for a “likely strike” is very much a speculative statement."

Of course it is speculative, but it's based on the idea that military installations are rarely re-commissioned after being taken out of service. I'm assuming they have a compelling reason for doing this, most likely intelligence that someone might be planning such an attack. That does not mean an attack is imminent, just that they consider it a real possibility.

[Star Traveler]

I would say the long range goals of China are the primary incentive ... :-) ...

[Steve_Seattle]

"The question then becomes, can they place a large enough nuclear warhead into one of those things to generate a large enough EMP to knock out power to most of the United States?"

They might not need to do that. If they could take out the power grid in two or three coastal metropolitan areas - one or more among New York/Boston/Washington, D.C/Florida/Los Angeles/San Francisco Bay area/San Diego/Seattle - it would create a national crisis.

Estimates that it would take years to recover from an EMP attack might be exaggerated, but it could take months, during which entire regions would be subject to food and water shortages, no power, looting, riots, financial breakdown, disease, martial law, and widespread deaths among the weakest and most vulnerable citizens.

[potlatch]

; )

[Balata]

I'm probably the only Freeper to actually stand atop Cheyenne Mountain.

Nope, you aren't. Been there several times.

[Alas Babylon!]

My first assignment! See my profile!

Nov 1976 - Nov 1979.

Philco Ford 1000 Offline

Delta

425L

MEBU

[Alas Babylon!]

We used to show them to the new troops and ask them what they are. They’d say they didn’t know.

Answer: Colorado Springs!

[Jane Long]

Gives me the same feeling. I didn’t realize your town is included in the Jade Helm drills. Too close for comfort, eh?

[potlatch]

Yeah, my town is maybe 70 thousand but not all that large. The one that’s really laughable is Goliad!! Goliad is tiny and is on the list too.

Had a reply from someone the other day who was also laughing about Goliad being on the list and it would be hard for the military to keep out of sight there. I joked that maybe the military would hide in the Missions - with the ghosts, lol.