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U.S. Increasing Missiles on the West Coast in Beefed-Up Defense Effort Against N. Korea

Mar. 15, 2013 3:07pm Liz Klimas

U.S. Will Add 14 Missile Interceptors on West Coast in Light of North Koreas Threats

This June 2010 photo provided by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, agency personnel and soldiers from the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade from Fort Bliss, Texas fire an interceptor missile from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii. (Photo: AP/U.S. Missile Defense Agency)

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — In light of North Korea’s recent threats to send a missile toward the United States, the Obama administration announced it would add more interceptors to the West Coast-based missile defense system.

The move reflects concern about North Korea’s focus on developing nuclear weapons and its advances in long-range missile technology, even though tests that could lead to such a missile last year proved unsuccessful.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel planned to announce the decision later Friday. It was first reported by Fox News.

#SecDef #Hagel to make missile defense announcement this afternoon at the Pentagon.

— George Little (@PentagonPresSec) March 15, 2013

In advance of Hagel’s announcement, defense officials confirmed the decision on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

The Pentagon intends to add the 14 interceptors to 30 already in place in California and Alaska. That will expand the system’s ability to shoot down long-range missiles in flight before they could reach U.S. territory.

James Miller, defense undersecretary for policy, said in a speech Tuesday that the Pentagon has the ability to deploy up to 14 additional missile interceptors, “if needed.” He did not say in the speech that a decision had been made to do so.

“As we think about our homeland missile-defense posture, we do not have a ‘just-in-time’ policy,’” Miller said. “Our policy is to stay ahead of the threat – and to continue to ensure that we are ahead of any potential future Iranian or North Korean ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) capability.”

Miller noted that last December, North Korea launched a satellite into space, demonstrating its mastery of some of the same technologies required for development of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

“Our concern about Pyongyang’s potential ICBM capability is compounded by the regime’s focus on developing nuclear weapons. North Korea’s third nuclear test last month is obviously a serious concern for all nations,” he said.

North Korea recently threatened to reduce Seoul to a “sea of fire” and stage pre-emptive nuclear attacks on Washington.

“North Korea’s shrill public pronouncements underscore the need for the U.S. to continue to take prudent steps to defeat any future North Korean ICBM,” Miller said in his speech on Tuesday.

Watch this report about the addition of the missile interceptors:

This news also comes at the same time as reports from South Korean news agencies say North Korea test fired two short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan Friday. More on that story in this report:

–

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Comments (45)

sinner-saint
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 3:55am
Obama is going to CA…..if the twatling in N. Korea is gonna strike the West coast, he had better hurry while getting is good. Don’t ya just love it when the communists want to kill each other.

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- Trigus
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 5:41pm
  Why they even talking of putting missiles in the Anti-American State of California that willfully Infringes on the Rights of Americans.
  
  I thought we where in the Sequester Period – we do not have funds to put Missiles in California.
  
  Only you can make this Once Great Nation, Great Again.
  
  2013 American Patriot Spring, What will you do?
  
  The distinctions between Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents are no more. I Am Not A Republican, But An American! – Sons of Liberty
  
  Report this comment
- wejromriellromriell
  Posted on March 18, 2013 at 10:16am
  that just causes pooblems for the rest of us
  
  Report this comment
LimaBean
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 1:08am
Not the first time drones were tested in Oxnard….Korean War.

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LimaBean
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 1:05am
http://www.kclu.org/2013/02/25/navy-outlines-proposal-to-make-ventura-county-home-for-drone-operations-on-west-coast/

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LimaBean
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 1:02am
http://www.scpr.org/news/2013/02/23/36085/drones-in-mugu-military-proposes-a-new-drone-base/

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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 12:47am
The United States used to have bombers in the air 24/7 when there was real threats? It was expensive, but it worked?

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lessoneleg
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 8:11pm
The North Koreans have only one true asset to use. Human abundance to overwhelm the border line. Think of it, the NK can’t use a Nuke on a battle field because they too have to trample across it to get to the other side. No good loosing all your troops to radiation poisoning within a couple of weeks. And air power isn’t their strong suit. Missiles whilst interesting, are expensive and are strategic not land taking.
So it comes down to overwhelming numbers of highly agitated crazed North Koreans with discarded Chinese AK-47 knockoffs. And old vintage trucks.
If North Korea invades, it has to be done hard and fast. Question is? Will the Obama WH permit a “scorched earth” permission of South Korean based units to wipe out maybe 300,000 to 500,000 NK?

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- muffythetuffy
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 8:55pm
  THOSE MISSALS WERE DEVELOPED BY THE BUSH-RUMSFIELD PENTAGON
  
  Obama promised to the World and to our enemies that he would not weaponize Space and would eliminate our nuclear weapons. Senator Boxer, Fingold and Nancy Pelosi better stay away from California.
  
  Report this comment
- YankeeDelta68
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 9:53pm
  no he wont without asking moochell!!
  
  Report this comment
lel2007
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 8:06pm
That little twit running North Korea isn’t going to attack any country. He’s looking for attention and most of all money. It a brand of extortion perfected by his old-man.

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Gonzo
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 5:25pm
We could absorb a hit on the West coast…or the Northeast. Hehe.

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- Restored One
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 7:07pm
  Obama is scheduled to come here to Cali next week I think. Crap, I better pack a bag and head to Reno. I dont want to be hit in the cross fire.
  
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- kindling
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 1:19am
  As long as it stays in a Democrat held city like SF or LA….then we could take CA back! Personally I am waiting for an earthquake so no one can blame anyone else.
  
  Report this comment
eagledown
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 4:48pm
If North Korea launches one at the west coast (sadly, where I live), you can rest-assured that you’ll get a yawn, a good night’s sleep, followed by a trip to Vegas in the aftermath from your Mao in the White House.

Also, you f*ing idiots who voted for this POS.. TWICE!. YOU. YES YOU. Voting has consequences, and YOU will have blood on your hands. I will also blame the moron Repub’s who DIDN’T vote; your idiots to.

That 3:00am call, will be from frantic Sub Commanders waiting for return fire orders for the Key Codes.

Ring…
Ring…
Ring..

Yawn. *** O dreaming… “I wonder if I should invite Tiger out to Hawaii next week?”.. zzzzzzzzzz

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- Restored One
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 7:10pm
  Obama is coming to CA to trump up cash and support for the 2014 elections. If Obama cancels his visit to CA, then we will know that he approves of an attack. But then where will he get his mega bucks from.
  
  Report this comment
Cavallo
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 4:25pm
Wow, our foreign policy has been such a wonderful success.. not nearly as successful as our domestic policies.. that is.. if the goal all around was to destroy the United States.

1st Ambassador assassinated in 30 years, Iran less than a year away from getting a nuke (Obama’s claim), Anti-Western extremists in power in Egypt, World opinion of the US plummeting (http://www.gallup.com/poll/161201/leadership-earning-lower-marks-worldwide.aspx?ref=image).. Now North Korea is threatening war..
So how about all those successes in make the US a safer more prosperous nation in which to live?

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- MDECKER
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 5:22pm
  Thumb-up to you!
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 6:23pm
  CAVALLO: Just caught Hagel ‘s press conference : the guy read his talking points word for word..slowly..constantly looking down at the script. Guess Hagel is just another Obama robot / parrot. Picked because he will just push the agenda . No questions asked. No original thinking. Just another Far Left Center For America Agenda parrot.
  
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Sargeking
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 4:01pm
The Liberals hate to be reminded of it but it was their patron saint Bill Clinton that gave North Korea the means to build a nuclear device. Thanks Libs. We owe it all to you. Alaska and California especially “thank you”!

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YesLiberalsAreThatDumb
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:55pm
Wait, isn’t N. Korea a “tiny country” like Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba? I thought that tiny countries were not a threat….

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- CatB
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 4:05pm
  That’s what Barry said …
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew5qP2oPdtQ
  
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- Walkabout
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 4:54pm
  Nazi Germany (1941)
  * Land Area (268,829 sq mi)
  * Population 1941 90,030,775
  
  World Pop. 1940 2.3 billion
  
  Iran
  * Population (2012 census) 75,149,669 (17th)
  * Land area 636,372 sq mi
  
  World Pop. 12013 ~7 billion
  
  Obviously, Obama is a very good demagogue (spinner), but not a very good statesman. Smaller countries have messed with the larger countries before and a lot of people died.
  
  Report this comment
YesLiberalsAreThatDumb
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:54pm
Hold on, North Korea has nukes??

I thought Clinton stopped that in the 90s with the free oil and food program?

No? YOU MEAN THAT THE COMMUNISTS LIED? SAY IT ISN’T SO!!

One thing that is ashame. Too bad Bush implemented the missile defense program, and it is up and running in Alaska. A few nukes on the west coast would eliminate a lot of lib-tards who were against the missle defense system in the first place! Apparently, it is “bad” for US to be able to defend against NUCLEAR ATTACK… YES LIBERALS ARE THAT DUMB!

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Sargeking
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:47pm
After we intercept and shoot down one of their missiles, we should fire back with ten of our own. Let/s see who wins that battle.

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Rayblue
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:42pm
Would you like mushrooms on that California Style ?

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- The-Monk
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:55pm
  Blooming Mushrooms…… it’s what’s for lunch.
  
  Report this comment
kaydeebeau
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:36pm
Wait – wasn’t N. Korea in that list of tiny countries he named a few years ago that don’t pose a threat like the USSR did? I thought Dennis Rodman took care of relations with N. Korea?

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- Walkabout
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 6:33pm
  Don’t forget that 2 or 3 years ago that Obama nixed a missile defence based in Eastern Europe.
  
  Did anti-ballistic missile tech all the sudden get better? If it did not work then, why does it work now?
  
  Have not heard of any recent tests.
  
  Report this comment
AUsername
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:33pm
good work now do that on the east coast and stop invading Africa and the Middle East.

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- Walkabout
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 4:36pm
  Like your new icon.
  
  A ballistic missile defense does no good against cruise missiles or maybe even short or medium range surface to surface missiles launched from a ship.
  
  Not sure how effective the DHS/Coast Guard is at checking merchant shipping. You might be able to literally sail into an American harbor and detonate one.
  
  You cannot win on defense.
  
  Report this comment
huey6367
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:30pm
Maybe they should put defense up around Washington. That’s the weakest portion of the country.

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Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:29pm
Nancy Pelosi lives in California, maybe its because of her, that interceptor missiles are being deployed to the west coast.

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- IMCHRISTIAN
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 4:00pm
  That and his movie star friends and pretty close to the Hawaiian Islands
  
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Cavallo
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:27pm
Wait.. isn’t the missile defense system that George Bush wanted to create the system they all poo pooed and mocked him about? Hey, if they blow up Nancy Pelosi, can it be our turn to take to the streets and declare “not in our name!” in reference to any retaliation?

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- barber2
  Posted on March 15, 2013 at 6:34pm
  CAVALLO: Yes. Remember how the Left mocked Bush about his labeling North Korea, Iran and Iraq as the Axis of Evil ? We had an early taste of the Democrat’s Alinsky ridicule tactic back during the Bush years. We have been tsunamied by it during the Obama years.
  
  Report this comment
crusaderx9
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:26pm
obama will not be able to protect us as all our enemies (and allies) have watched him dismantle our institutions of security while over relying on drones and small missiles to carry out his infantile narrow-spectrum foreign policy.

Now we are back in a missile crisis on one front from a rogue state while China and Russia lay ready to pounce on our interests, all while obama abandons his lie and finally admits that Iran’s nuke program is not about domestic energy production.

Al Queda and associated movements continue to proliferate and grow bolder while obama is on his way to losing his second war.

It won’t be long now.

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Daddy Hawg
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:23pm
Beefing up our defenses on the west coast and Alaska while also trying to take our 2nd Amendment rights away. Kind of ironic isn’t it?

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:20pm
It doesn’t matter how great your weapons are; you have to have a president that is not too cowardly to use them.

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:14pm
So Obama has decided to actually deploy our interceptor system? Or is this with an ‘don’t fire until after the warheads hit our cities’ caveat in the orders?

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huey6367
Posted on March 15, 2013 at 3:10pm
Let’s all sit back and watch Obie ‘f’ this up.

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