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US missile destroyers, anti-ballistic missile system in position
April 14, 2013

Source: M Variety



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THE United States continues to remain vigilant in the wake of North Korea’s ratcheting up its threats against U.S. allies and territories in the Pacific.

The Pentagon has maintained its proactive approach in dealing with the North Korean war rhetoric as it deploys missile destroyers and a anti-ballistic missile defense system to the region.

Last week, North Korea issued a warning that war could break out in the Korean peninsula. War between Koreans on both sides of the 38th parallel of the peninsula reached a stalemate in 1953.

Pentagon Defense Press Officer for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Lt. Col. Cathy Wilkinson told Variety, “The guided missile destroyers USS John S. McCain and USS Fitzgerald have arrived at pre-determined positions in the Western Pacific, where they will be poised to respond to any missile threats to our allies or our territory.”

Since 2004, USS John S. McCain and USS Fitzgerald, Arleigh Burke Class destroyers, have been deployed to counter ballistic missile threats anywhere in the world. They both can carry up to 90 missiles including BGM-109 Tomahawk or RUM-139 VL-Asroc missiles.

Wilkinson confirmed to Variety that “the SBX radar has now reached a predetermined location in the central Pacific Ocean and is under the operational oversight of the U.S. Pacific Command.”

Wilkinson was referring to a Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX-1), which according to online sources, is a floating, self-propelled, mobile radar station operating in high winds and heavy seas as part of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system.

She also confirmed that initial elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or THAAD, have started to arrive on Guam.

Online sources said the THAAD system consists of a truck-mounted launcher, interceptor missiles and AN/TPY-2 tracking radar, and an integrated fire control system.

“The system is expected to be operational in the coming weeks,” said Wilkinson.
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