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N. Korean threat activates shield U.S. cites a launch as 'provocative'
Drudgereport.com ^ | June 19,2006 | Drudge Report / Bill Gertz

Posted on 06/19/2006 8:47:38 PM PDT by edpc

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.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: Alaska; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: axisofevil; fortgreeley; gertz; missiledefense; northkorea; proliferation; vandenbergafb
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To: All
Here's the link for your viewing pleasure.....

Missile Defense Agency

21 posted on 06/19/2006 9:07:28 PM PDT by edpc
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To: blam
Just last month, the USS Lake Erie successfully intercepted a ballistic missile during the final seconds of its flight.
22 posted on 06/19/2006 9:07:34 PM PDT by Stonewall Jackson ("I see storms on the horizon")
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To: Jeff Head
Shoot it down in a "test" of our own. Can't afford to take the risk, and it would send a clear message to any belligerent/rogue state.

I agree. Besides, it'll be a great training exercise for our side. Kidding aside, I'm betting they'll back down and announce that they're doing a test launch, thus defusing the situation.

23 posted on 06/19/2006 9:09:11 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: LibWhacker
What if the N Korean missile is loaded with a test nuke? After all these guys are nuts! Ahh Sorriwee, we blew Hawaii away.
24 posted on 06/19/2006 9:10:09 PM PDT by Rodm (Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings)
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To: edpc
It was on its way down, anyway. I'd just tell them that and add, "You were doing a test. So were we. Thanks for the joint exercise."

LOL! Well said!

25 posted on 06/19/2006 9:10:46 PM PDT by rake (zarqawi eats spam! - (in hell))
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To: Rodm
What if the N Korean missile is loaded with a test nuke?

I doubt they have the ability to put a warhead on the missile, just yet. While they likely have an atomic device, it's much more complicated to put a nuclear warhead on a missile. Even if it was, we'd render it inert in a hurry.

26 posted on 06/19/2006 9:13:43 PM PDT by edpc
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To: edpc

You know that the missle defense techs have to be secretly happy. They get a free test run! :P


27 posted on 06/19/2006 9:15:50 PM PDT by Constantine XIII
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To: LibWhacker
Colonel Hunt said on Fox today that if we shoot it down, it means war.

No way. That little Korean fat head will just blow wind.

28 posted on 06/19/2006 9:16:08 PM PDT by Logical me (Oh, well!!!)
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To: All
Ahhh...memories of happier times in my youth when shooting down ballistic missiles only required a pocketful of quarters.


29 posted on 06/19/2006 9:16:16 PM PDT by edpc
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To: Rodm

Probably not. The type of nuke that goes on a missile needs to be set off in a special way to work. Worse case is you spread some radiation in the ocean someplace.


30 posted on 06/19/2006 9:17:59 PM PDT by bnelson44 (Proud parent of a tanker! (Charlie Mike, son))
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To: blam

yup, an Aegis SM-3 did it this year


31 posted on 06/19/2006 9:18:05 PM PDT by finnman69 (cum puella incedit minore medio corpore sub quo manifestu s globus, inflammare animos)
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To: LibWhacker

"Colonel Hunt said on Fox today that if we shoot it down, it means war."

I saw that. Boarding the USS Pueblo was an act of war, too. If that missile is winging our way, shoot it down. I recall a test shot out of Vandenburg that was successful.
Then deal with the mullahs.


32 posted on 06/19/2006 9:18:17 PM PDT by OkieDoke (So many tin-horn dictators, so little time)
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To: finnman69

http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/sm3.htm


33 posted on 06/19/2006 9:20:05 PM PDT by finnman69 (cum puella incedit minore medio corpore sub quo manifestu s globus, inflammare animos)
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To: All

Did anyone catch Rush's show today? He was discussing the potential missile launch/intercept. He called Kim Jong-Il a "potbellied dog-eater." I laughed my @ss off.


34 posted on 06/19/2006 9:20:26 PM PDT by edpc
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To: freakboy

The National Missile Defense System at Fort Greeley is a mid-course interceptor ... the Aegis SM-2 or SM-3 is the boost phase interceptor. Either one should be capable of swatting Li'l Kim's rocket out of the sky.


35 posted on 06/19/2006 9:21:52 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is aborting, buggering, and contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: don-o

just a groveling PING to let you know that we are on the same sheet of music!


36 posted on 06/19/2006 9:24:12 PM PDT by LasVegasMac (Islam........not fit for human consumption.)
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To: bnelson44
Question. Could they rig up some sort of ground proximity fuse to the HE charge triggering the nuke? I am ignorant on these things but curious.
37 posted on 06/19/2006 9:24:35 PM PDT by JimSEA (America cannot have an exit strategy from the world.)
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To: edpc

The Democrats will be angry if we use Reagans Star Wars concept and hit the missle. They will whine and nash their teeth. They are been screaming all along they thing would never work and cost too much money. It was just the musing of a demented old Republician.


38 posted on 06/19/2006 9:26:02 PM PDT by therut
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To: edpc

39 posted on 06/19/2006 9:27:05 PM PDT by Gideon7
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To: ArrogantBustard

Check the link in post 21. The Aegis can be used in mid-course or terminal. Airborne laser and kinetic weapons (under development) are the boost choices.


40 posted on 06/19/2006 9:27:12 PM PDT by edpc
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