USNORTHCOM statement on DPRK missile launches
July 4, 2006
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – As of 5:30 p.m. MST today, U.S. Northern Command officials acknowledged that the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea launched six ballistic missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 missile, from Taepodong at approximately 4 p.m. EDT.
USNORTHCOM personnel were immediately able to detect the launch of all the missiles and all of them landed in the Sea of Japan.
While Ground-based Midcourse Defense System interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., were operational during all the missile launches, top officials from the command were able to quickly determine the missiles posed no threat to the United States or its territories. The Taepodong-2 missile launch failed on its own in the early stages and landed in the Sea of Japan.
The GMD System, while not utilized for any of the launches, is available when needed to defend the United States, its allies, infrastructure and population centers. Our missile defense crews are trained and our systems are ready to respond as necessary. U.S. Northern Command has the primary responsibility to direct missile defense operations to protect the homeland, allies, friends and other national interests from potentially hostile acts.
Command officials will not discuss under what circumstances or conditions deployment of the interceptors will be considered.