Governor Palin's Smack Down I: Obama's Policy on Cutting the Missile Defense (Satellite Photo of North Korean Missile Launch) (Update Andree Mcleod)

Coming in late on this; many blogs and the news have picked up on Governor Palin's press release on the need for a strong missile defense capability.

I am deeply concerned with North Korea’s development and testing program which has clear potential of impacting Alaska, a sovereign state of the United States, with a potentially nuclear armed warhead,” Governor Palin said. “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is that we continue to develop and perfect the global missile defense network. Alaska’s strategic location and the system in place here have proven invaluable in defending the nation.

Governor Palin stressed the importance of Fort Greely and the need for continued funding for the Missile Defense Agency. The governor is firmly against U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ proposed $1.4 billion reduction of the Missile Defense Agency. Greely’s isolated location in Alaska as well as its strategic location in the Pacific allows for maximum security and development of the country’s only ground-based missile defense complex.

My advice to the Governor, Gates is not the problem, it's Obama. First volley from Palin was soft, the next one needs to be tougher and it needs to be directed at Obama. Gates is following orders.

As for Fort Greely, it is a given on needing funds. But the Kodiak launch facility is needing the funds, because Obama has cut the funds out of the stimulus package.

The Kodiak Launch Complex is a test site located at Kodiak Island, Alaska. From this complex, the U.S. military frequently launches test missiles, which then travel across the Pacific Ocean towards the Kwajalein Test Range in the Marshall Islands, from which missile defense interceptors are launched to intercept them.

In service since 1998, Kodiak is an all-weather launch complex owned and operated by the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation. Although located on a 3,100 acre site, the actual facility constitutes only 27 acres. The complex is divided between four main sites: the Launch Control and Management Center; the Payload Processing Facility; the Integration and Processing Facility/Spacecraft Assemblies Transfer Facility; and the Launch Pad and Service Structure.

On November 5, 1998, the U.S. Air Force launched of the Atmospheric Interceptor Technology (AIT) suborbital rocket, marking the first launch from the complex. In 2004 and 2005, the MDA tested ground-based interceptors against test missiles launched from Kodiak.(1)

This facility is needed for testing and what else that hasn't been discussed is a radar facility on Sheyma, funding for that is needed.

This is one of Palin's moment to take it to the public and hit it hard. The people want strength, not weakness on this issue.


Satellite image released by the Institute for Science and International Security taken by Digitalglobe, shows what appears to be the Musudan-ri North Korean rocket or missile in flight. (AFP photo)

Update: Andree Mcleod Response on the ADN: Andree you now look like a fool. You have diminished yourself (by the use of your own words) to the level of a complainer who has an axe to grind because you didn't get a job. Take a bow and pat yourself on the back. Bravo.

mcleodak wrote on 04/07/2009 00:12:44 AM:
Palin trying to shore up national defense credentials and using state resources again to benefit her national political partisan interests with this press release? This from the same person who is careless enough to conduct official state business on personal yahoo accounts that were hacked into.Can you tell me one decision that she made as commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard?" CNN journalist Campbell Brown asked Monday while interviewing McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds. "Just one?" Bounds couldn't, because Palin has never personally ordered the state guard to do anything.Occasions in which Palin retains command authority over the 4,200-member Alaska National Guard are..."We've deployed individuals in state service all over the state under Sarah Palin," he said. “We had defense men down in Seward for the (Mount) Marathon run doing security."http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/51665.html

Update: TelePrompter In Charge Photo

Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Let the photoshop fun begin......

Obama Seizes on Missile Launch in Seeking Nuclear Cuts