N. Korean threat activates shield U.S. cites a launch as 'provocative'

The Pentagon activated its new U.S. ground-based interceptor missile defense system, Bill Gertz reports in Tuesday's WASHINGTON TIMES, just as officials announced that any long-range missile launch by North Korea would be considered a "provocative act."

Poor weather conditions above where the missile site was located by U.S. intelligence satellites indicates that an immediate launch is unlikely, said officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

However, intelligence officials said preparations have advanced to the point where a launch could take place within several days to a month.

Two Navy Aegis warships are patrolling near North Korea as part of the global missile defense and would be among the first sensors that would trigger the use of interceptors, the officials said yesterday.

Gertz reports: The U.S. missile defense system includes 11 long-range interceptor missiles, including nine deployed at Fort Greeley, Alaska, and two at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The system was switched from test to operational mode within the past two weeks, the officials said.

We are already at war with North Korea.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Mr. Nelson,( and your first name, is it Horatio?) ( LOL) You are absolutely correct. The realtionship between the USA and North Korea is under a negotiated cease fire status quo. If N. Korea breaks it, we will be at War.

Also the biannual RimPac exercise is about to begin next week, adding a motive to Kim Jong Ils sabre rattling.

There is about to be a show of force in the Pacific which cannot yet be met effectively by China and North Korea combined.This rots the socks of both Kim Jilly Jong and Communist China's military, who want to make the Pacific Rim Seas a Communist Pond to exploit undersea resources and the Islands themselves, such as the Spratleys.

I post hereunder a Canuck article which describes RimPac well:

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According to the RimPac Site, the exercise will be conducted from June 26 through July 28, 2006

http://www.c3f.navy.mil/RIMPAC_2006/index.htm

I'd say that Kimmy wants to be a playah!

CROSS REFERENCE THREAD:

Canada Joins Seven Nation Pacific Rim Exercise 2006-06-15 | (press release)

Posted on 06/19/2006 6:48:36 AM EDT by Clive

Canada Joins Seven Nation Pacific Rim Exercise

MARP 028/06 - June 15, 2006

— For the 20th time since 1971 Canadian ships and aircraft will participate in the multi-national exercise RIMPAC during July in waters off Hawaii. Participating nations include Canada, Australia, Chile, Japan, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. Observer nations are Ecuador, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore and Thailand.

Commodore Bruce Donaldson, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, will serve as the Deputy Commander Combined Task Force leading a multi-national force comprised of sea, air and land units.

Canada’s contribution includes HMC Ships, Algonquin, Vancouver, and Regina with two CH-124 Sea King Helicopters and air detachments from 443 Squadron at Pat Bay, plus a team of clearance divers from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific). For the first time since 1996, there will be six CF-18 Fighters from 3 Wing Bagotville supported by a CC-130 Hercules from 435 Squadron, 17 Wing Winnipeg. Two CP-140 Aurora Maritime Patrol Aircraft from 407 Squadron at 19 Wing Comox round out air force support. HMCS Algonquin and Vancouver leave Esquimalt this Friday, while HMCS Regina is already underway. Following RIMPAC, Regina will carry on to the Western Pacific to make port visits in South Korea, China and Japan.

During the workup portion of the exercise HMCS Algonquin and Vancouver will fire surface-to air and surface-to-surface missiles. The CF-18 detachment will take part in live fire missions including air-to-surface and air-to-air missile shoots.

The first RIMPAC exercise took place in 1971 and now occurs every second year. This year is the 20th exercise in the series. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of the participants in a wide array of combined operations at sea and in the littoral. This year’s exercise includes more than 35 ships, six submarines, over 160 aircraft and 18,000 sailors, marines, soldiers and aircrew. Canadian personnel number about 1,000 at sea and ashore.

On Canada’s role in the exercise, Commodore Donaldson declares, “It is Canadian participation in exercises like RIMPAC that allows the Canadian Forces to be effective and leading contributors to multinational operations around the world. This exercise enhances our ability to work with the forces of other nations and it promotes stability in the Pacific Rim region to the benefit of all.”

The United States Third Fleet, commanded by Vice Admiral Barry M. Costello, is responsible for the overall coordination of the exercise. Each of the participating countries maintains national command and operational control of its forces throughout the exercise.

A RIMPAC web site containing details regarding exercise activities and imagery from exercise operations will be active during the exercise at:

http://www.c3f.navy.mil/RIMPAC_2006/index.htm

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