True Grit
February 01, 2010Dear Members and Friends,
On a perfect sunny winter afternoon in California standing on the flat rocks of the Ronald Reagan Memorial overlooking the missile silos on the Pacific shoreline at Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) engines light up with brilliance and the rocket disappears for a few seconds in the clouds of exhaust. The rocket reappears, accelerating and ripping through the clear sky with a single white vapor trail arching overhead as the low thunder sound doesn’t catch up to what you are watching.
The GBI interceptor had been perfectly cued by the Space-Based Infrared System (SBRIS) and the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) thousands of miles away that an incoming Polaris type two-stage target missile was launched 4,200 miles away at 3:40PM Pacific Standard Time from Kwajalein Atoll, heading east.
Five Colorado Army National Guard Soldiers of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade at Shriver Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado that reports to North American Combat Command recognized the ballistic missile threat and executed procedures flawlessly to release the GBI at Vandenberg Air Force Base at the incoming target missile.
The target missile was tracked by the SBX located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean; which debuted a new concept of both launching and engaging an interceptor from the information of a remote based sensor thousands of miles away. Two new space-based sensors, part of the STSS (Space Tracking and Surveillance System) launched in fall of last year, also observed part of the test and will look to prove out space sensor integration to the Missile Defense Systems in advancing this new remote sensor concept.
The concept of “Launch on Remote�? and “Engage on Remote�? is an integral part of President Obama’s Missile Defense plan that protects Europe and the United States and must be proven out to provide the protection promised.
This was the first integrated test of the SBX as the primary sensor for the GBI as the previous tests were reliant on the Beale Radar in California within the range of the Interceptors at Vandenberg. Critical updates are given from the SBX to the EKV (Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle) on top of the GBI for the exact location of the target missile. Both the target missile and the GBI performed exceptionally well, there was a problem with the SBX and the root cause has not been determined as of yet. As a result the GBI missed the target missile; failing to intercept.
Though there is great disappointment in the failure of the GBI to intercept, a new concept of launching and engaging on remote sensors requires numerous tests and applied adaptive engineering. With both come failures and successes as steady progression leads to a reliable and effective system. Our nation needs to have steadfast determination to continually test robustly as to ensure with reliability our homeland’s protection and defense from long range missiles. The last GBI test was in December 2008. It is inherent for success of this system to have at least two robust GBI tests a year.
The Ground-Based Interceptors in Vandenberg, California and Fort Greely, Alaska are our only defense against the long-range ballistic missile threat fast coming upon us. As President Obama said to our nation last week, “the greatest danger to the American people… is the threat of nuclear weapons.�?
We need more than ever “True Grit�? and determination for Missile Defense.
Resource Library
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- Pentagon Leaders Consider Options for East Coast Missile Defense System
- Japan to Deploy Aegis Destroyers Near West Sea
- Key US General Soothes Russian Concerns on Missile Defense, Nuclear Weapons
- Rafael Seeks to Boost Range of Iron Dome
- Ahmadinejad Doesn’t Expect ‘Miracles’ in Upcoming Round of Nuclear Talks
- “Freedom is Not Free”
- Russia Tests ‘Fifth Generation’ Missile that can Penetrate NATO Defense System
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- The “Pohaku”
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- Don’t Give Up the Ship
- The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara
- Behind-the-Back Defense
- The More the Merrier
- You Can’t Stop What’s Coming
- Russian Cooperation with the Unites States on Missile Defense
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- Sense and Sensibility
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- K-Town
- A Man Has Got to Know His Limitations
- A Brief View of U.S. Missile Defense
- Not Enough
- You Get What You Pay For
- Space Cowboys
- “Build It and They Will Not Come”
- It’s Rocket Science
- The Best of the Best
- In Parallel with the 38th Parallel
- Our Thoughts and Prayers
- Volume 8: 2010
- START Me Up
- “As Long As I Am President”
- U.S. Homeland Missile Defense
- Ground-Based Interceptor Test Fails
- California Dreaming
- The 38th Parallel
- Come Together, Right Now, Over MD
- Lisbon in the Sky with Diamonds
- Freedom is Not Free
- The Voice of the American People
- A Shot Heard in North Korea
- Great Expectations
- Turkish delight
- “Where is the Beef?”
- Deep in the South
- The “Pearls” of Pearl Harbor
- “May the Force Be With You”
- Senator Ted Stevens, 1923-2010
- To Deter, Not Provoke
- “Black Cat”
- “As Close As It Gets”
- Arabian Nights
- You Can’t Stop What’s Coming
- Little House on the Prairie
- Our Nation’s Hedge
- Our Memorial
- Movable Feast
- Commitment
- A Response to the New York Times
- Promises Made, Promises to Be Kept
- Oklahoma Pride
- “The Emperor has No Clothes”
- The Clash of the Titans
- In Memoriam, Lech Kaczynski
- The Real Deal
- “No Way, No How”
- “Any Sensor, Any Weapon”
- We Are As Good As Your Word
- MDAA Defender of the Month, Feb 2010
- A Tribute (Lt. Gen. Larry Dodgen)
- Put It Where the Sun Don’t Shine
- Game Changer
- The Romanian Proposal
- “Change We Can Believe In”
- True Grit
- “…That is a Promise.”
- Friend or Foe
- A League of Its Own
- Chinese Checkers
- Volume 7: 2009
- Deal or No Deal
- Iran Launches Long-Range Missile
- Defending the Holy Land
- Home on the Range
- A Win
- “Samurai”
- God Bless Texas
- May God Bless This Ship
- A Step in the Right Direction
- Clear and Present Danger
- At Risk
- US Changes Course on Missile Defense
- Immovable Missiles
- Stars Align
- For Sea to Shining Sea
- A Man is Only as Good as His Word
- Risky Business
- To Russia With Love
- 7-11
- Prelude to Fireworks
- Hawaii
- Think About It
- What About Tomorrow?
- Change Can’t Happen Without You
- You Get What You Pay For
- Ubi Concordia Ibi Victoria
- John Rood Joins MDAA Advisory Board
- Let’s Compete
- A Memorial for All
- Defying the Critics
- Let Me Be Clear
- Diplomacy Fails, North Korea Successfully Launches Long-Range Missile
- Dear Secretary Gates
- The Compelling Case for Missile Defense
- Deal or No Deal
- Taking Care of Business
- It’s About Iran
- The Time is Now
- A Moment That Will Define A Generation
- Give Credit Where Credit is Due
- Volume 6: 2008
- War
- 372 Years
- Missile Defense Proves Its Capability to Defend the Homeland of the United States
- You Made the Nation Safer
- A Miss
- The State of Being in Israel
- Earth, Wind and Fire
- Commitment
- United We Stand
- History is Made
- The Perfect Storm
- We the People…
- Clear and Present Danger
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- Hawaii 5-0
- Sea to Shining Sea
- It’s Hi-Hi-Hey! The Army’s On Its Way
- We Need It, We Want It, and We Want More of It
- A Legacy to Our Generation
- Prague to Warsaw through Moscow
- Missile Defense Outreach Established in Poland
- MDAA Tours Proposed European Third Site and Attends Press Conference
- You Can’t Stop What is Coming
- Bolt On
- Out of Space
- Driven By the Threat
- Solidarity
- Volume 5: 2007
- Peace Through Partnership
- Air to Air
- 4th Missile Defense Intercept in 39 Days
- 2008 Conference Report
- Comrades in Arms
- 7th GBI Test Successful!
- War and Peace
- Serendipity in Poland
- Radar Love
- Our Global Village
- A Summer to Remember
- The Warfighter’s View
- A Tribute
- 90-5: The Right Vote at the Right Time for the Right Reason
- And, By the Way
- Not Enough
- Hat Trick
- Blinded By The Light
- Our National Security Remains at Stake
- The Cold War is Over
- Russian Roulette
- Breaking News – The Culprit
- The Land Down Under
- House of Representatives Vote
- She Listened
- Impartial Review
- The Facilitator
- Success! Success!
- Valiant Warriors
- Two Questions
- The Great White Fleet
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- Her Key Priorities
- Dear Members and Friends
- East Meets West
- Best and Brightest
- What the World Needs Now
- What the World Needs to Know
- Wisdom and Experience
- Honolulu Breakfast of Champions
- To China With Love
- Back in the U.S.S.R.
- 152,000 American Lives at Stake
- THAAD Test Successful
- Fifth Successful Missile Defense Test in the Past Six Months
- MDAA Supporting Third Site Development in Europe
- Incentive to the World
- The Passing of the President
- U.S. Interceptor Inventory & Production Rate
- Volume 4: 2006
- Our Founding Father
- December 7, 2006
- Heart of Our Surface Fleet, Globally Deployed to Defend Our Freedom
- Elevation and Application
- Hail to the Victors
- Shahab-3 Launch
- A Great Defense Never Rests
- As the World Turns
- MDAA Meets with President George W. Bush
- Hoorah!
- Front Lines of Missile Defense
- Calling North Korea’s Bluff
- North Korea Demonstrates Mankind’s Most Terrifying and Devastating Weapon
- Money Well Spent
- The Devil in the Red Dress
- Hip Hip Hooray
- A Tribute to Democratic Congressman Silvestre Reyes
- Amongst the Powerful
- GBI Test at Reagan Missile Defense Site
- Under the Northern Lights
- Build It and They Will Not Come
- Sweet Home Alabama
- Say it Best
- Critical Mass
- Article 1, Section 8
- The Eye in the Sky Does Not Lie
- The Right Test at the Right Time
- Peace on Earth
- Don’t Tread on Me
- Not Enough
- Making the World a Safer Place
- North Korean Intentions
- North by Northwest
- Taking Care of America
- Clear and Present Danger
- Thank You Mr. President and Thank You Mrs. Reagan
- The Land of Enchantment
- Difference Maker
- Osama and His Friends
- A Room With a View
- We the People, By the People
- New York, New York
- With Highest Honors
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- You Are Not the First, You Are Not the Last, But You Are Next
- Money Talks and … Walks
- A Small But Necessary Price
- The Breaking of the Seals
- Volume 3: 2005
- “If We Wait for Threats to Fully Materialize, We Will Have Waited Too Long”
- From Brussels to Seattle and London to Phoenix
- Pictures Mean More than a Thousand Words
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- Your Collective Voices were Heard
- Real Money for Real Protection
- The European Public
- California Advocacy Tour
- Our Country has Spoken, Our Senators need to Listen
- On Britannia
- The 31st State
- Some versus None
- Inspired and Educated
- Changing the Calculus
- Seven Minutes
- Without Warning, North Korea Fires a Ballistic Missile
- A Priority of the President of the United States
- Proliferation our Gravest Concern
- The American Public Speaks
- From San Francisco to Washington D.C.
- Patience, Tactical Patience
- Defendo Libertas Mare
- Missile Intercept Successful
- MDAA in The Hill
- Strongly Urge and Fiercely Advocate
- The Presidential Budget as it Relates to Missile Defense
- Protection Page
- Solemn Duty
- Determination and Fortitude
- Volume 2: 2004
- Riki Ellison On C-Span
- Disappointed and Frustrated
- Airborne Laser (ABL)
- Countries in Possession of Missiles
- The Ultimate Sacrifice
- Thank you for Voting and Making a Difference
- Tomorrow, Vote and Make a Difference on Missile Defense
- This Tuesday, Vote and Make a Difference on Missile Defense
- Sea-Based Defensive Missile Completed
- Fundamental Message Points of Missile Defense
- The Ohio Report
- The Need to Contain Threats Agreed on by Both Candidates
- Iran Adds New Missile
- September Reminds Us of Safety
- Security Platform 2004 Republican National Convention
- Report From Wisconsin
- Renewed Focus on Missile Defense
- WMD and 2005 Defense Bill
- Fort Greely Ground Based Defense System
- MDAA Observation – Reagan Tribute
- Kerry on Missile Defense at Truman Library
- Letters For and Against Missile Defense
- MDAA on the Move
- American People VS. Military Retirees
- Ellison Speaks on The Public View of Missile Defense
- The Real Story on Testing
- Ellison to Speak at the Second Annual Missile Defense Conference
- A Special Note from the President of MDAA
- Missile Defense Sparks the Palmetto State
- Ellison Responds to DoD’s Limited Deployment Announcement
- Survey: Likely Democratic Voters Support a Missile Defense System
- New Hampshire Trip – Making Missile Defense a Part of the Debate
- New Hampshire Voters Want Missile Defense
- Volume 1: 2003
- Boost-Phase Technology Has Great Potential
- Senator Lieberman Understands
- Iran is Building Up its Nuclear Arsenal
- Missile Defense – A Public Safety Issue for Japan
- Nevada Testimonials in Support of Senate Joint Resolution 7
- North Korea Threats
- When Regimes Change, Weapons Remain
- The Enemies of Freedom Are Not Idle
- We’ve Got Nukes. We Can’t Dismantle Them.
- A System That Does Not Kill People
- The Grimmest Day This Nation Has Ever Seen
- Last Week, Congress Discussed Missile Defense in Hearings
- MDAA U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense Overview
- MDAA System/Issue Briefs
- MDAA Country Briefs
- Japan: Priorities for Missile Defense Development and U.S. Partnership
- Europe: Missile Defense in an Evolving Threat Environment
- GCC Missile Defense: A Threat Driven Imperative
- The Chinese Missile Threat: A Rising Tide in the Pacific
- The North Korean Missile Threat: The Hermit Kingdom’s Open Ambition (February 2016)
- The North Korean Missile Threat (December 2017)
- 3D Panoramas
- Additional Resources