19 December 2002
Bush wants interceptor missiles at VAFB
By Janene Scully
Lompoc Record

The announcement outlines the goal to have an initial set of capabilities in place by 2005. That includes up to 20 ground-based interceptors designed to destroy intercontinental ballistic missiles during the middle phase of flight.

Sixteen of those interceptors would land at Fort Greely, Alaska, the long-planned home of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense segment.

But the Bush Administration's plan also calls for a quartet of interceptors to be placed at Vandenberg.

"That's brand new as of today," said Lt. Col. Richard Lehner, a Missile Defense Agency spokesman.

The military's West Coast rocket and missile launch site historically has been envisioned as simply a test site for missile defense. The base has already hosted several intercept attempts including one that flopped last week.

A defense official said Vandenberg's role as a test site led to a decision to place missiles there as well.

"Team Vandenberg is proud to be part of the President's vision in supporting the National Missile Defense testbed," said Col. Robert Worley, 30th Space Wing commander.

Vandenberg officials could not say how many new people or new facilities this might bring to the base.

"It's all still to be determined," said 1st Lt. Kelly Gabel, a base spokeswoman.

"As much as possible we'll be using existing facilities in order to save money and meet timelines," she added.

Specifics are pending the 2004 defense budget.

In Alaska, the Army National Guard will operate the system. "I don't know what it will be for Vandenberg," said Lehner. "These are things that have to be worked out."

The northern portion of the 98,000-acre base is dotted with underground missile silos due to Vandenberg's role testing unarmed ICBMs.

Missile defense foes were surprised by the expansion of Vandenberg's role.

"I think it probably is going to result in making Vandenberg more of a target for any country that would consider an attack against the United States and there should be some concern for the people living in the vicinity of Vandenberg," said David Krieger, president of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation in Santa Barbara.

Critics contend the system costs too much money, won't work and will kick off a new global arms race.

Acting upon campaign promises, Bush unveiled his plan Tuesday "to meet the threats of the 21st century."

He called the initial stage "modest," but said, "These capabilities will add to America's security and serve as a starting point for improved and expanded capabilities later as further progress is made in researching and developing missile defense technologies and in light of changes in the threat."

Bush said the "initial capabilities" will also include sea-based interceptors and sensors based on land, at sea and in space.

Asked at a Pentagon press conference how he could be confident in fielding a system considering some recent failures in testing, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said, "most things don't just arrive fully developed."

"The way to think about the missile defense program is that ... it will evolve over time."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Staff writer Janene Scully can be reached by e-mail at janscully@pulitzer.net