Text Fwd:[Rick Rozoff] Asia: Pentagon Revives And Expands Cold War Military Blocs [릭 로조프] 미 국방부, 아시아에서 냉전 군사 블록을 재개하고 확장하다

* Rick Rozoff sent on Sept. 15, 2010

Stop NATO
September 14, 2010

Asia: Pentagon Revives And Expands Cold War Military Blocs
Rick Rozoff

The year before the Korean War began the United States established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Western and Southern Europe to contain and confront the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies. NATO opened the door for the Pentagon to maintain, expand and upgrade, and gain access to new, military bases in Europe from Britain to Turkey, Italy to Norway, West Germany to Greece.

During the Korean War and after its end in 1953 (with Greece and Turkey having been absorbed into NATO), the U.S. replicated the NATO model to varying degrees throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The Australia, New Zealand, United States (ANZUS) Security Treaty was set up in 1951 as troops from all three nations were fighting in Korea. Australian and New Zealand troops would also fight under American command in the Vietnam War under ANZUS obligations.

In 1954 the U.S. and fellow NATO founders Britain and France created the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) with Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand as members and South Korea and South Vietnam as Dialogue Partners.

With U.S. encouragement and support, the next year Britain oversaw the creation of the Middle East Treaty Organization (METO), also known as the Baghdad Pact Organization, which included Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Pakistan. In 1958 the METO/Baghdad Pact supported the U.S.'s deployment of 14,000 troops to Lebanon under the so-called Eisenhower Doctrine.

After the anti-monarchical revolution in Iraq of the preceding year led to that nation leaving the bloc in 1959, METO was renamed the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO): There could be no Baghdad Pact without Baghdad itself where its headquarters had been. (Half a century later the Iraqi capital is home to United States Forces – Iraq headquarters.)

METO/CENTO, like SEATO before it, was modeled after NATO and served the same purpose as the original: To encircle the Soviet Union and its allies and, in the first-named instance, allow the Pentagon to penetrate the USSR's southern flank as NATO did its extended western one. CENTO was dissolved in 1979 after the revolution in Iran and the withdrawal of that country.

All Asia-Pacific SEATO members and partners except for Pakistan - Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and South Vietnam - provided the U.S. with troops for the war in Vietnam, but Pakistan withdrew in 1973 because SEATO hadn't supported it in its 1971 war with India. France followed suit in 1975 and SEATO was disbanded two years later, three years after the U.S.-Chinese rapprochement formalized by Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong in Beijing in 1972.

MORE READING

Stop NATO
Blog site
__________________________________________________
* Some Excerpts

_The U.S. is using a 21st century expeditionary - a global - NATO as its meta-military bloc.

_During the last month and a half alone U.S. troops and warships have participated in military exercises in and off the shores of Cambodia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Vietnam and Nepal.

The U.S. is currently conducting the large-scale, 10-day Valiant Shield exercises on and near Guam, the new hub for the Pentagon's operations in the Asia-Pacific region, with an aircraft carrier, amphibious ships and an Air Force expeditionary wing. On September 1 a Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle was flown from California to the Andersen Air Force Base on Guam.

The Pentagon is planning a $278 million program to expand interceptor missile testing on the Hawaiian island of Kauai for ship-based Standard Missile-3 (and
soon land-based versions of the same in the Baltic and Black Seas regions) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-ballistic missiles. Washington's strategy for a layered, global missile shield system already includes the participation of Australia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in the Asia-Pacific area, with India soon to be included.

Text Fwd: U.S. Military Strategy on the Korean Peninsula and Missile Defense in Northeast Asia (2010.5.9)

* Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea

________________________________________________________________
* Thanks, Bruce Gagnon. See the blog.

TRANSCRIPT OF SPEECH AT GN MEETING IN NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________

* Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea

U.S. Military Strategy on the Korean Peninsula and Missile Defense in Northeast Asia

Ko Young Dae/SPARK (KOREA)


1. U.S. Military Strategy on the Korean Peninsula

In the 2010 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), the Obama administration named North Korea along with Iran as a potential target for nuclear preemptive attack, making the Korean peninsula, as it was during the Bush administration, one of the most dangerous regions in the world. This is a violation of the “Agreed Framework between the DPRK and the United States” (October 1994) in which the United States pledged negative security assurance for North Korea, as well as the “Joint Statement” of the fourth Six Party Talks (September 2005). In response to the Obama administration’s new NPR, North Korea declared, “As long as the nuclear threat against us persists, we will continue to develop various nuclear weapons as deterrence and seek to modernize our nuclear weapons.”

Based on the NPR, the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) takes command of U.S. nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula. Following “CONPLAN 8022” and “OPLAN 8044,” the US STRATCOM designed a new “OPLAN 8010” based on the “New Triad” concept. “OPLAN 8010” uses both high-tech conventional and nuclear war capabilities, including various strategic attacks against North Korea, such as pinpoint attack, bombing of underground military facilities, and cyber wars to paralyze missile and anti-aircraft defense networks. The US STRATCOM’s nuclear war plan on the Korean Peninsula also includes “CONPLAN 8099” in which the Center for Combating WMD takes command. The primary aim of “CONPLAN 8099” is to occupy North Korean nuclear facilities and seize its nuclear weapons. The Center for Combating WMD is the command that leads the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) against North Korea.

The United States also has plans to carry out a war on the Korean Peninsula by executing “OPLAN 5027,” 5026, 5028, 5029, 5030, which are all under the command of the US Pacific Command, the ROK-US Combined Forces Command (CFC), and United Nations Command (UNC). “OPLAN 5027” was developed in 1974 to prepare for nuclear war and “OPLAN 5027-98” adopted the strategy of preemptive strike for the first time. “OPLAN 5027-04” includes the construction of Missile Defense and “OPLAN 5027-06” outlines the strategy of preemptive strike against North Korea’s nuclear and missile facilities.

In anticipation of the transfer of wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea, the two states are currently developing “OPLAN 5012” in place of “OPLAN 5027.” “OPLAN 5012” is a much more offensive plan for nuclear war. “CONPLAN 5029,” which faced opposition from the former Korean government, has now been elevated to an OPLAN. “OPLAN 5029” envisions a military intervention in North Korea in times of internal turmoil, including a natural disaster; such an outrageous plan is in violation of international law. The main goal of “OPLAN 5029” lies in the U.S. desire to seize North Korea’s nuclear facilities and materials for itself, as opposed to by South Korea. “OPLAN 5026” was initiated in December 2002 and completed in July 2003. Its main goal is to execute pinpoint attacks on approximately 700 North Korean targets including nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons facilities, and command and control facilities. In this way, “OPLAN 5026” and “OPLAN 5029” under the command of the US Pacific Command and the Combined Forces Command, are designed to complement “OPLAN 8010” of the US STRATCOM.

2. The US MD in Northeast Asia

1) The US MD system in the Pacific Ocean

The MD system that the United States deploys in the Pacific Ocean is aimed at China’s MD and North Korea’s missile system. The Early Warning Radar system which includes the DSP satellite, SBIRS satellite, Cobra Dane Early Warning Radar, SBX (Sea-based X-band) Radar, Aegis BMD Radar, FBX, etc, centers on detecting and tracking long-range missiles or ICBMs aimed at the main land of the United States. In June 2009, to prepare for the event of a long range missile launch from North Korea, the United States ordered the forward deployment of the SBX Radar and the THAAD (Theater High Altitude Air Defense) system in the vicinity of Hawaii. The US Pacific Command also ordered the forward deployment of the Aegis ship, equipped with Standard Missile 3 (SM-3).

2) Japan’s MD system

The United States regards Japan as its most significant international BMD partner. Japan’s MD system is part of the US MD system. Japan’s MD system is being constructed through technical and operative cooperation with the United States. Japan has deployed the US FBX(Forward-based X band) Radar, and has interfaced its 28 ground radar networks with U.S. spy satellites. The principal weapons systems of Japan’s MD are the Aegis BMD system and the PAC-3 system. In January 2008, Japan operationally deployed SM-3 block IA, capable of intercepting long-range missiles. Currently Japan is developing SM-3 block IIA, capable of intercepting ICBMs, and scheduled to debut in 2015. Reversing its previous policy of non-deployment of THAAD, Japan intends to introduce THAAD as a higher tier defense system than a PAC-3. Japan has also deployed its self-developed FPS-XX (L Band) Radar. The FPS-XX Radar is known to have succeeded in detecting and tracking Russian long-range missiles launched from the Sea of Okhotsk

3) South Korea’s MD system

In its 2010 Ballistic Missile Defense Review (BMDR), the United States named South Korea an “important partner.” The BMDR also stated that the United States has been working together with South Korea to “define possible future BMD requirements.” In other words, the United States takes for granted South Korea’s participation in the US MD system. Although the Lee Myung Bak government initially refused to participate in the US MD system, now it has changed its position. This reverses the position maintained by the former Kim Dae Jung and Roh Moo Hyun administrations, which opposed South Korea’s participation in the US MD system for reasons related to South Korea’s technical, financial, and diplomatic relations with Russia and China. The current South Korean government is in the midst of constructing the so-called “South Korean-style MD System” based on PAC-2 Lower Tier Defense and the SM-2 Aegis system.

Further, the South Korean government plans to upgrade PAC-2 to the level of PAC-3 and SM-2 to SM-6, construct K-THAAD by improving Cheolmae-2, construct Early Warning System by importing Green Pine Block-B (whose detection range is 500 km) and AWACS, construct AMD Cell, and thus complete the construction of the so-called South Korean-style MD system. But it is evident that the South Korean-style MD system will be incorporated into and subordinate under the US MD system.

With the planned transfer of wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea, South Korea and the United States plan to interface both of their Armed Force’s C4I through the “Allied Korea Joint Command Control System (AKJCCS)” and integrate and operate both ROK and US Armed Force’s Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Cell. This means that the US MD system and its operations will be at the center of the MD system on the Korean Peninsula.

Through the interface of both ROK and U.S. Armed Forces’ C4I, USAFK’s Theater Missile Defense Warning System (TMDWS) will provide the ROK MD system with a range of information, such as TMD’s launching position, launched missile, track, estimated drop area, drop time, etc., which is essential to the operation of the ROK MD. The Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) of the USFK provides accurate data about DPRK’s ICBMs.
That both South Korea and the United States incorporate and operate Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Cell means that the ROK MD will interface with the US 14th Air Force’s Joint Space Operation Center (JSPOC). In lieu of US STRACOM, the US 14th Air Force will plan and execute the US Air Force’s space operations. In such a scenario, the South Korean MD’s interface with the US 14th Air Force’s JSPOC means that it will be fully subordinate to the US MD system (DSP, SBIRS, Early Warning Radar, etc). In other words, the South Korean MD will become nothing but one part of the US MD.

For instance, if the South Korean MD intends to defend against an intermediate-range missile from China or Russia, it will need to depend on the US MD system, especially for its early warning system.

3. US MD in Northeast Asia Increases the Possibility of Nuclear War in Northeast Asia

Part of the New Triad axis, MD is a means of preemptive nuclear strike. The United States sees MD as part of its extended deterrence. China is the only nation among the nuclear weapons states that has officially declared adoption of NSA and No First Use (NFU) policies. Due to its concern regarding the US construction of MD, China opposes the start of the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT). If the United States strengthens its MD in the Northeast Asian region in order to debilitate China’s nuclear capability, it may encourage China to abandon its NSA and NFU policies and engage in a nuclear arms race.

North Korea has declared that it is willing to give up its nuclear programs and facilities, and even its nuclear weapons. North Korea takes a fundamentally different position from that of other nuclear weapons states. If the preconditions that North Korea outlined are met– namely a Peace Treaty, and the abolishment of the ROK-US alliance and the US nuclear umbrella in South Korea - North Korea’s nuclear weapons can be abolished. But if the US’ MD, with its doctrine of preemptive strike, is aimed at incapacitating North Korea’s missile capability, North Korea will turn to increase its reliance on nuclear weapons, resulting in North Korea’s continued strengthening of its nuclear power and eventually leading to a domino phenomenon of more states going nuclear in Northeast Asia.

The U.S. construction of MD increases the possibility of nuclear first strike and all-out nuclear war and radically shatters international security and prosperity. Let us not forget that the Northeast Asian region includes Japan, which the United States attacked with nuclear weapons not too long ago, North Korea, the Taiwan Strait, and Vietnam, which in the past the United States threatened with nuclear attack. It is only when the US MD system is abolished that we can prevent this world from nuclear preemptive strikes and nuclear war, and the Pacific Ocean can become true to its name.

Text Fwd: Pentagon Builds Up Guam For Pacific Interventions

* Text fwd from Rick Rozoff, StopNATO on Jan. 3, 2009

MCOT English News( by Thai News Agency)
Kyodo News Agency
January 3, 2010
U.S. military eyes Guam as staging post to counter threats

-''Moving these forces to Guam would place them on the furthest forward element of sovereign U.S. territory in the Pacific, thereby maximizing their freedom of action.''

-The relocation and buildup cost, including expansion of infrastructure needed to maintain a permanent base for Marines and U.S. Army troops on Guam and Tinian, an island 160 kilometers to the northeast, is pegged at $12 billion.

-A U.S. Army ''Air and Missile Defense Task Force'' is also proposed for Guam to protect the island....Weapons emplacement sites would be constructed to accommodate the ''Terminal High Altitude Area Defense'' system, which is designed to intercept missiles during late mid-course or final stage flight.
_____________________________________________________________________

HAGATNA, Guam: The United States plans to fortify Guam, upgrading its military base on the island into a strategic staging post that would allow rapid access to potential flashpoints in the Pacific region.

More troops, including 9,182 Marines, army soldiers and their dependents from Okinawa, Japan, will be relocated to this island, while more than 9,000 transient troops, mainly from the navy's carrier strike group, will also be based here.

The ''overarching purpose'' of beefing up Guam as a military fortress is ''to provide mutual defense, deter aggression, and dissuade coercion in the Western Pacific Region, according to a draft impact report recently released by the U.S. Defense Department.

The proposed buildup would allow U.S. military forces to respond to regional threats and contingencies in a ''flexible'' and ''timely manner'' as they work to ''defend U.S., Japan and allied interests,'' the study says.

''Moving these forces to Guam would place them on the furthest forward element of sovereign U.S. territory in the Pacific, thereby maximizing their freedom of action,'' it says.

According to the report, the United States envisions Guam as a ''local command and control structure'' manned, equipped, trained, and sustained by a modern logistics infrastructure.

The relocation and buildup cost, including expansion of infrastructure needed to maintain a permanent base for Marines and U.S. Army troops on Guam and Tinian, an island 160 kilometers to the northeast, is pegged at $12 billion.

Japan has agreed to chip in $6.09 billion of the total.

The plan would entail ''increased operational activities,'' more frequent berthing by aircraft carriers and other warships, building aviation training ranges and upgrading of harbors, wharves and ports.

The existing Andersen Air Force Base on Guam would be expanded to include the air elements of the Marines. A new Marine base would be built ''right next door,'' the study says.

Various firing ranges would be built to meet the various training requirements of a larger military contingent.

The U.S. also plans to expand its live fire training ranges in Tinian where about 200 or more Marines could ''realistically train'' with their weapons and equipment ''without restrictions.'' Also on the drawing board is the building of a deep-draft wharf at Guam's Apra Harbor to support nuclear-powered aircraft carriers transiting through the area.

A U.S. Army ''Air and Missile Defense Task Force'' is also proposed for Guam to protect the island and U.S. forces there against the threat of harm from ballistic missile attacks.

Weapons emplacement sites would be constructed to accommodate the ''Terminal High Altitude Area Defense'' system, which is designed to intercept missiles during late mid-course or final stage flight.

Other emplacement sites would accommodate Patriot missiles, which are designed to strike threat aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles just before impact.

The U.S military is beefing up its presence in Guam after U.S. allies in the Pacific - the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, South Korea and Singapore - turned down U.S. requests for permanent basing of U.S. troops on their soil.

Already concerns are being raised over plans to transform Guam into ''a multi-service military base.''
....
Henry Simpson, general manager of Guam Racing Federation, said the U.S.
military aims to take his race track without even consulting him. ''They want to run over our land,'' he said.
....
===========================
Stop NATO
Blog site:

Text Fwd: Lockheed Martin: U.S., Allies Advance Global Layered Missile Shield

* Image source/ caption: same as in the article below

'The USS Bunker Hill completed its operational trial of its full combat system, which includes Aegis Open Architecture, in August. This milestone is part of the development path to merge Aegis Open Architecture and Aegis BMD in 2012, when the Aegis Modernization program begins for the Navy's 62 Aegis-equipped destroyers.'

StopNATO
Lockheed Martin: U.S., Allies Advance Global Layered Missile Shield

Space War
SPX
Decmber 22, 2009
Critical Global BMD Milestones In 2009


-Lockheed Martin operational systems and next-generation capabilities address
each phase of missile defense - boost, ascent, midcourse and terminal - in
support of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) layered Ballistic Missile
Defense System (BMDS) and international allies' requirements.

-MEADS is designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied
armies, and it is the only medium-range air defense system to provide full
360-degree coverage.


Bethesda MD: Lockheed Martin missile defense systems achieved several key
milestones in 2009, including five successful intercepts and numerous other
major accomplishments, further solidifying Lockheed Martin as a world leader in
air and missile defense.

With 20 successful Aegis BMD intercepts, six successful Terminal High Altitude
Area Defense (THAAD) intercepts and 26 successful Patriot Advanced Capability-3
(PAC-3) Missile intercepts since the inception of those programs, Lockheed
Martin continues to build on its unmatched legacy as the pioneer of hit-to-kill
technologies.

"Lockheed Martin is proud to continue to lead ballistic missile defense efforts
for the United States and allied nations," said John Holly, vice president of
Lockheed Martin's newly established Missile Defense Systems operating unit,
based in Huntsville, AL.
....

Lockheed Martin operational systems and next-generation capabilities address
each phase of missile defense - boost, ascent, midcourse and terminal - in
support of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) layered Ballistic Missile
Defense System (BMDS) and international allies' requirements.

2009 Missile Defense Milestones - Weapons Systems

Aegis: In July, the Aegis BMD system destroyed a ballistic missile target in an
at-sea firing under operationally realistic conditions - marking the continued
successful engineering development of the next generational upgrade in Aegis BMD
capability.

The USS Bunker Hill completed its operational trial of its full combat system,
which includes Aegis Open Architecture, in August. This milestone is part of the
development path to merge Aegis Open Architecture and Aegis BMD in 2012, when
the Aegis Modernization program begins for the Navy's 62 Aegis-equipped
destroyers.

JS Myoko, Japan's third destroyer equipped with the Aegis BMD system,
successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile target above the
atmosphere during an October test event. Also that month, the MDA awarded a $1
billon follow-on contract providing for the integration of Aegis BMD into the
Aegis Modernization program and a contract vehicle for the next five years to
continue evolving BMD capability.

Additionally, the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie - using the latest Aegis
BMD baseline version 4.0.1 and new Aegis BSP signal processor - proved
successful during a series of long-range tracking, surveillance and engagement
exercises against a variety of ballistic missile targets in October.

MEADS: In July, the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) successfully
completed Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) for all major components, clearing the
way for production of radars, launchers, tactical operation centers, and
reloaders needed for system tests.

The program is on track to complete its final system-level CDR event in August
2010, with initial flight tests planned for 2012.

The program announced that it had received approval to use a European
cryptographic device to implement Identification Friend or Foe in October. The
selected subsystem makes both of the MEADS radars more robust than other current
U.S. systems and provides the highest level of fratricide prevention available
to protect coalition pilots.

MEADS is designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied
armies, and it is the only medium-range air defense system to provide full
360-degree coverage.

PAC-3 Missile: Lockheed Martin broke ground on an expansion of its
state-of-the-art PAC-3 Missile production complex in Camden, AR, in May. This
new facility will allow for continued production expansion and modest hiring of
new employees over the next several years.

In September, Airmen of the Japanese Self Defense Force and Lockheed Martin
successfully conducted the second Japanese PAC-3 Missile flight test at White
Sands Missile Range, NM.

The flight test demonstrated the Patriot Configuration-3 upgrades to Japanese
Patriot ground system, and the addition of the PAC-3 Missile Segment to detect,
track, engage and destroy a tactical ballistic missile target in a realistic
battlefield environment.

On December 11, Lockheed Martin successfully conducted the PAC-3 Missile PC-08
Flight Test at White Sands Missile Range, NM.

Preliminary test data indicates mission objectives were successfully achieved.
The test demonstrated system capability using Post Deployment Build -6.5
(PDB-6.5) software to search, detect, track, engage, and kill an aerodynamic
Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) using a ripple method of fire engagement.

THAAD: In March, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency conducted
their sixth successful intercept in six attempts of the THAAD weapon system at
the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, HI. This flight test demonstrated
the system's ability to detect, track and intercept a separating target inside
the Earth's atmosphere.

This was the first salvo mission, with two THAAD interceptors launched against a
single separating target, which is a tactical option for the system. Data
indicates the first interceptor successfully destroyed the target while the
second interceptor destroyed a large piece of debris from the initial intercept.

This year, Lockheed Martin employees celebrated the 10th anniversary of the
first THAAD successful intercept and the 25th anniversary of the first
hit-to-kill intercept of a ballistic missile target outside of the Earth's
atmosphere.

In October, the U.S. Army and the MDA activated the second THAAD Battery at Fort
Bliss, TX, signifying the continued integration of THAAD into the U.S. Army's
Air and Missile Defense force structure. Unit training on the second THAAD
Battery is underway with equipment hardware deliveries slated to occur within a
year. 2009 Missile Defense Milestones - Next-Generation Capabilities and
Supporting Systems.

C2BMC: Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) continues
to support real-world operations 24/7 around the world in 17 time zones,
supporting the Missile Defense Agency's strategic and regional objectives.

Logistics and Sustainment: In November, Global Aerospace Logistics, LLC (GAL),
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon announced the signing of a Joint Collaborative
Agreement that will establish world-class logistics and sustainment services for
the United Arab Emirates' air and missile defense systems.

Under the agreement, GAL will work with Raytheon and Lockheed Martin to develop
a logistics and sustainment capability to meet the immediate and future needs of
the UAE's air and missile defense strategy.

Targets and Countermeasures: Through 2009, Lockheed Martin's Targets and
Countermeasures Program has achieved 33 successful target missions out of 34
since 1996. Lockheed Martin's unmatched 97 percent reliability rate has included
unitary and separating targets, spanning land, sea and air launches.

In 2009, Lockheed Martin shipped the next-generation Launch Vehicle-2 target to
a test range in preparation for an upcoming test.

Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS): In November, the Lockheed Martin-led team
developing the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program for the U.S. Air
Force successfully completed thermal vacuum testing of the first geosynchronous
(GEO-1) satellite, one of the most significant program milestones that validates
spacecraft performance in a simulated space environment.

The first SBIRS GEO spacecraft is planned for delivery to Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station in late 2010, where it will then undergo final processing and
preparation for launch aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.
===========================
Stop NATO

Text Fwd: Pro-MD statement on Obama budget

* Text informed by Bruce Gagnon on May 9, 2009

http://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/news.aspx?news_id=1739
5/8/2009 - You Get What You Pay For

Dear Members and Friends, President Barack Obama released the Federal Budget for 2010 yesterday here in Washington D.C., his first major budget release of his Administration setting the precedent for his presidency. Inside of his 3.4 trillion dollar budget was the Department of Defense's Budget request of 534 billion and the Missile Defense Budget request for 7.8 billion dollars. The Department of Defense budget was increased by 21 billion dollars, a 4% increase from last year while funding going to Missile Defense Agency budget was decreased by 1.2 billion, a 13% decrease. This administration has reshaped, restructured and redirected missile defense as they make it their own and take full ownership from the former President George W Bush and the four previous Presidents that have contributed Department of Defense dollars towards missile defense. With an overall 8.2 Billion dollars spent on Missile Defense including Army Patriot Missile Defense systems at a 400 million for 2010 still remains a core mission of the Department of Defense and President Barack Obama's administration. The Obama administration's direction for missile defense focuses on: - Increasing capability against short and medium range ballistic missiles in regions against rogue nations to protect our forward based armed forces and allies through deploying more THAAD, SM3 missiles and AEGIS BMD Ships as well as developing land based SM3 missile defense systems. - Developing assent and upper boost phase missile defense capabilities through SM3/ AEGIS development, enhanced THAAD capability, and deploying a Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) constellation. - Revamping the testing program with an aggressive amount of significant intercept tests, an estimated 37 or so by 2015. - Holding in place the development of the European Midcourse Radar in the Czech Republic and the 10 Ground based missiles in Poland until 2011 and ratification comes forward by the Czech Republic and Poland on the agreements with the United States. - Reducing and enhancing the long range ballistic missile protection of the United States homeland to 30 Ground Based Interceptors in Alaska and California from a projected 50 (40 in US and 10 in Poland). "President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates have made a strategic decision to support and field a missile defense capability. This administration has acknowledged the threat of ballistic missiles from Iran and North Korea in the near-term, and have defied the critics of missile defense by deploying what we have now and the fundamental policy question of whether we should do missile defense or not do missile defense has been answered...missile defense looks to be an embedded core element of the defense of the United States, and will be part of the underlying fabric of American defense capabilities. This administration has clearly ratified the idea that ballistic missiles are a real threat to the United States, its allies and the armed forces." April 9th, 2009 After review of the statements made and examination of the budget, there are two questions regarding this new administration's direction and pragmatic approach for the protection of the American people from ballistic missiles 1. With the increase of ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation from rogue nations since the beginning of this year, highlighted by Iran's satellite launch on February 3, Failure of Diplomacy and international sanctions including UN security resolutions to prevent North Korea from launching a long range missile or space vehicle, North Korea's successful 3 staging of a long range missile on April 5, North Korea's opening up of their nuclear program and Iran's continual uranium enrichment programs, why is the United States not increasing its missile defense resources? 2. As of less than 6 months ago, the United States Department of Defense through the Missile Defense Agency and the Strategic Combat Command had determined that 50 ground based interceptors were required to defend the territory and the homeland of the United States of America from a simultaneous attack of around two dozen or so projected long range ballistic missiles from North Korea and Iran, what has changed in the threat development and proliferation of ballistic missile capability of either North Korea and Iran in the last 6 months to warrant a 40% decrease to 30 ground based interceptors to protect the American Public and their nation? Missile defense is about our nation and the fundamental core protecting our homeland from current and future threats and should always be a high priority, to sacrifice or reduce the long range missile protection of our nation for short and medium range missile defense capabilities should not be the choice, all should be supported. It is of strong merit that international leadership for missile defense is and continues to be led by our nation. The threat continues to grow and we cannot afford to be the only country with capabilities to ensure protection, deterrence and dissuasion against rogue nations. The United States is working with 17 nations in the international community and NATO on missile defense as well as developing missile defense systems with more than 6 countries, thus missile defense resources must be able to continue to support these efforts for global protection. A global problem requires a global solution. President Barack Obama and his administration need to have other options than the United Nations, diplomacy, and use of military force for if not he will face a world of new nuclear powers that will be driven by lack of missile defense and U.S. deterrence to become nuclear. This is too important for our nation and our world.

Respectfully, Riki Ellison Chairman and Founder Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance Click Here to visit MDAA's website Click Here to join MDAA Click Here to learn more about MDAA Please consider a contribution to the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. With your help, we will be able to reach out to people that share our goal and make the world a safer place. For more information about contributing to MDAA, please click here. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Text fwd: THE OTHER MISSILE DEFENSE

* Text informed at Bruce Gagnon's blog

While in Korea for our Global Network annual conference we were taken to Pyeongtaek where the US is dramatically expanding a military base. There we were shown nearly a dozen mobile PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability) launchers parked just beyond the razor-wired fence.

Lockheed Martin describes their PAC-3 system as "the world’s most advanced, capable and powerful terminal air defense missile. It defeats the entire threat: tactical ballistic missiles carrying weapons of mass destruction, cruise missiles and aircraft. The PAC-3 Missile is a high velocity interceptor that defeats incoming targets by direct, body-to-body [kinetic] impact."

The PAC-3 program has been developed for the Pentagon at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

Currently the US is deploying the PAC-3 in South Korea, Japan, Iraq, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Kuwait, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, and Israel. The Pentagon has also recently signed a deal to deploy PAC-3 in Poland.

Turkey has also recently shown interest in acquiring a similar system but has been talking with competitors of the US weapons industry about buying the technology from them. However, Washington has been pressuring Ankara to consider potential "NATO interoperability problems" that could occur should Turkey opt for a non-Western solution. Subtle arm twisting you might say.

The PAC-3 system, along with THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system, are the new "layered look" for the Pentagon's missile defense program. The mobile THAAD, designed to shoot down short-and medium-range ballistic missiles, are also being heavily deployed in Japan and South Korea along with PAC-3 in order to serve as key elements of US first-strike strategy aimed at China.

Add the Navy's Aegis destroyer, also outfitted with missile defense interceptors and being deployed in the Asian-Pacific region, into the scheme and you get the full picture of this theater-wide program to take out "the enemy" retaliatory missiles after a US first-strike.