Missile Launchers Positioned in D.C.

WTOP News ^ | 02/10/2003 | WTOP News

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Missile Launchers Positioned in D.C. Updated: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003 - 12:10 PM EST.

Chas Henry, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - An increased level of protection for the region means you'll see missile launchers around the District to guard against the possibility of an air attack.

Shortly after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the federal government surveyed the sorts of air defense systems available from a variety of agencies - for use here, or elsewhere in the country. The government then conducted experiments to determine how they could best work in concert with one another.

The missile launchers that can be seen from the South Capitol Street bridge are the result of the government's planning efforts.

The protection measures would include Customs Service aircraft flying high, keeping track of air traffic over the metro area, Air National Guard fighter jets patrolling above and Army radar systems positioned alongside Avenger air defense missile systems mounted on HumVees.

The government put these measures in place during President Bush's January State of the Union message, then pulled them back. They went back into place when officials determined there was an increased likelihood for terrorist attacks and increased the nation's Homeland Security alert status from yellow to orange.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said the latest terrorism alert represented "the most significant" such warning since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

On the five-color alert scale, red is the highest, but no such terrorist warning level has yet been issued.

[Dengar01]

hmmm... They must really think that something is going to happen. It's scary.

[polemikos]

verrrry interesting!

[polemikos]

What does this say about their confidence in airport security?

[Ligeia]

pingeraoo

[ewing]

If we aint at red we are pretty darn close if folks are cleaning the stores out of duct tape.

[blam]

"hmmm... They must really think that something is going to happen. It's scary."

Getting ready for Iraq. They've been preparing for this for 12 years.

Does it make you want to buy some duct tape and plastic sheeting?

The Cobra's have been flying up & down the coast of the bay (Mobile) for the last two days.

[We Happy Few]

Are these Patriot missiles, or conventional surface-to-air missiles?

[austinTparty]

Oh joy.

[We Happy Few]

Duct tape and sheeting are sold out in and around Washington, D.C.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I am officially in 'Hair On Back Of Neck Standing Up, Come Near Me And I'll Kill You' mode...

Oh... wait a minute... that's how I ALWAYS am... ;)

[Beck_isright]

"What does this say about their confidence in airport security?"

It says that the level of service at all Wendy's and McDonald's drive thrus should be awesome since the idiots were all hired away by the TSA....

[Beck_isright]

FYI...2 to 5 odds says it goes to "RED" within 72 hours of the invasion of Iraq...
Having participated in the 91' party, trust me, this would not be a major league shocker...

[jqpublic]

IF the Gov't knows something, I wish that they would just tell us. IMO, IF the citizens know what the terrorists are planning (or threatening), I believe that the common 'everyday Joe or Jill" will be more vigilant. Yes, I realize that we run the risk of "panic", but I'll be honest, I'd prefer to know what my enemy is planning. I don't like surprises.

I pray that everyone stays safe.

J.Q.

[DoughtyOne]

Folks, I have to tell you. I am just dumbfounded that our federal government still hasn't figured it out, that we have to get our borders under contol.

Instead of reviewing middle-eastern immigrants and sending a bunch of them packing, as warranted, will will turn this nation into a police state. This really bothers me.

Soon we will have suicide bombings on US soil. They will all be perpetrated by middle-easterners. You heard it here first. LMAO This just gets more and more absurd.

[Wordsmith]

Any chance of these shooting down those nifty little unmanned biosprayer planes Powell showed pictures of at the UN?

[RCW2001]

Ahh yes! And for the rest of you, in your 'high-tech' cocoons....it's 'duct tape and plastic cover'!

[Mo1]

If we aint at red we are pretty darn close if folks are cleaning the stores out of duct tape.

That's great .. but have they thought of other supplies .. like say .... water or food?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Something is going to happen. We are going to attack Iraq very soon.

[DAnconia55]

A reasonable person would conclude that they are more interested in a police state, then in defending America.