« Headline/Subtext of the day | Main | Crisis at Airbus reveals weakness to EU economic model »

Watch The Skies: North Korea To Launch Missile This Weekend

North Korea is apparently scheduling a launch of its new missile this weekend.

snip...
"The missile is believed to be a long-range Taepodong-2 missile test, capable of reaching the US mainland with a light payload, Kyodo said. The information was based on satellite images received in the last 48 hours. While the missile has not been loaded with fuel, it has been moved to a test site in the country's northeast, Kyodo said."

That gets your attention now doesnt it...

Air Force Times is reporting that as of June 14th, U-2's are on their way to South Korea.

North Korea is already upset that RC-135 Reconnisance aircraft are already in range.

snip...
"It was North Korea's second warning in a week against alleged US spy plane intrusions. On Sunday, the North Korean Air Force threatened to "punish" US spy flights, recalling the fate of a US Navy plane it shot down in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) in 1969."

Well, someones got a "bee in their bonnet"...

And now Japan has ramped up its defenses as well.

Snip...
"Asahi Shimbun reported that the U.S. handed Japan a satellite photograph of the missile being carried to the launch pad location this week. The Japan Defense Agency is reported to have strengthened its air guard mobilizing the defense system AEGIS and the scout plane EP3 of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force."

EP3 would be the derivative of the Lockheed P-3 Orion and "Aegis" referres to the AEGIS class missile cruisers/destroyers, several of which have been sold to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ( Japan doesnt have a "Navy" as such, but the JMSDF is a pretty solid force ). Think of the AEGIS as a floating anti-missile system.

Here is an interview with Adm. Gary Roughead, commander, U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet in Asahi Times, May 24th 2006.

Snip...
"Q: Why are more advanced Aegis ships being deployed to Yokosuka?

A: We in the Navy are sending our most capable ships forward. My two war-fighting priorities are anti-submarine warfare and ballistic missile defense. I think you will see in the future continued increasing capability in the western Pacific. Having our most capable ships forward, I believe, is the best policy for the safety and security of the region...

I looks to me like this is the weekend where North Korea reminds us just how malignant their leader truly is. Prepare to spend some time digging up all the votes against "missile defense systems" because in the net 24 hours we are about to see the Democrats go screeching into the night about how "The President Has Failed to secure our country from risk from missile attack blah blah blah..."

I wonder how long it will take for the Democrats to now say we should pull our troops out of South Korea and Japan because:

a) Weve now clearly lost WWII and the Korean War.
b) George Bush mislead us into helping Japan.
c) It would be illegal for us to shoot down their missile.
d) Missile-schmissile, it was no real threat. The real threat is Wal-mart and Halliburton.

Thats the "war cry" of the Democrats these days.
"Billions for legal fees to fight against corporate America, but not one dime for missile defense".

Posted @ June 16, 2006 09:03 PM | Current Affairs

Posted by: Vootie at June 19, 2006 09:33 PM