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US Fortifies Hawaii Against N. Korea Threat

Gates moves anti-missile system to islands ... just in case

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 18, 2009 3:28 PM CDT
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(AP) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he is positioning defenses near Hawaii just in case North Korea fires a missile across the Pacific toward the island state. Gates says he has sent the military's ground-based mobile missile system to Hawaii and positioned a radar system nearby. Together the systems theoretically could detect and shoot down a North Korean missile.

Gates says the US is watching the North's moves closely. He says there is concern about a potential launch toward Hawaii, although he did not spell out how extensive the US thinks the threat might be. A Japanese newspaper reported today that North Korea might fire its most advanced ballistic missile toward Hawaii around July 4.

South Korean Army soldiers sit on a K-9 self-propelled howitzer during a military drill against possible attack from North Korea.
South Korean Army soldiers sit on a K-9 self-propelled howitzer during a military drill against possible attack from North Korea.   (AP Photo)
South Korean military soldiers stand by displays of models of North Korea's mock Scud-B missile, right, and South Korea's other mock missiles in Seoul.
South Korean military soldiers stand by displays of models of North Korea's mock Scud-B missile, right, and South Korea's other mock missiles in Seoul.   (AP Photo)
Gates says the US is watching North Korea carefully and is preparing just in case the rogue nation decides to attack.
Gates says the US is watching North Korea carefully and is preparing just in case the rogue nation decides to attack.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
ack
Jun 19, 2009 12:47 PM CDT
Major terrorist attacks on the US under Bush: 1. Under Obama: 0. See who makes us safer. (What the hey, that's about as logical as your idiotic comment.)
ack
Jun 19, 2009 12:41 PM CDT
Nah. Nothing worth saving in Alaska. I think we all learned last year that we'd be better off without it.
Mr.C
Jun 19, 2009 12:16 PM CDT
he is a moron. No one the other side of the isle from you would want him.

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World • US

 
North Korea • Robert Gates • United States • missile defense system • Hawaii • Kim Jong Il • defense • intercontinental ballistic missile

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