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.

[photogirl]

If it's as cold in New York as it is in Mich. the folks at the store bought the ice cream to get a head-start on their igloo/bomb shelters. There's a blizzard warning here til 5am. I couln't even get down my street in my SUV, in 4 wheel drive! I won't have to tape off my windows if there's an attack, because my windows are buried in snow!

[My Favorite Headache]

I hope Sunday looks good on your calendar because that is the day I am predicting.

[blam]

"You buy it in rolls. I'm not certain a thickness is specified."

It is. I prefer 6 mil because it lasts longer for my uses. 4 mil will be okay for a temporary situation like we're talking about.

[Ichneumon]

BTW, what thickness plastic sheeting do you recommend?

Generally, the thicker the better. That way it's less likely to tear if you step on it, lean/fall on it, stretch it over some pointy object in your house, etc.

I'd recommend 6 mil, at least.

The downside is that it gets more expensive as it gets thicker, so if cost is a problem, it's probably better to drop down a thickness level or two and buy more square footage with the savings, rather than scrimp on the square footage and end up with a thick sheeting but too little of it.

And don't forget to keep a pair of scissors handy for trimming it to size, thick plastic sheeting is tough stuff and you won't be able to just tear it easily like Saran Wrap.

[photogirl]

Yes, thank you.

[My Favorite Headache]

Gotta ask the question here folks...and this is to all of you:

When it goes Red on the chart...how long before Americans take it into their own hands and start picking off Muslims left and right?

Just a question...not a suggestion.

[Elenya]

Thanks for the info. I was afraid the 6 mil would be too heavy and would end up falling off the windows. BTW, are we supposed to seal our windows right now or wait for whatever happens?

[photogirl]

Nothing there?? Why are you still up?

[hopespringseternal]

I think that the Gov't is making a grave mistake by delaying the rounding up of the illegals...

It's a no-win situation for any politician. If he rounds up the illegals, the liberals and newsies will scream bloody murder and no attack will happen. He will wind up looking like Hitler in the headlines.

On the other hand, if he does nothing when an attack occurs it will be his fault for not rounding up the illegals.

If something does happen, then the politicians may get serious, but probably not right away. Look at the absurd lengths they go to for airline security while ignoring the blatantly obvious.

[My Favorite Headache]

Might be a good time to join Amway, no?

[Elenya]

Thanks for the info. I'll get the thick one tomorrow, if there's any left.

[My Favorite Headache]

Just come on down to Marco Island and Naples. Get outta the city and enjoy the glowing..err...ummm...the view of the sun (yeah that's it, the sun) from this side of the Gulf Of Mexico. Plenty of empty hotel rooms and drink specials. Plus local Freepers and UN rapists.

[GOPJ]

bump

[blam]

"Thanks for the info. I was afraid the 6 mil would be too heavy and would end up falling off the windows. BTW, are we supposed to seal our windows right now or wait for whatever happens?"

Sorry, I don't know. I'm in a rural area and haven't been paying to close attention to specific directions. I also am always prepared for a hurricane, so, I'm basically always ready. They'll be wasting their gas to try to get me, one old fart and 4 dogs....don't think so.

[Terridan]

Can you or anyone advise at what defcon level we are at now? Stay safe on the Gulf Coast, (sis lives off Howell Tanner Chapel, Miss. side). Was just there recently. Apache movement here also, west coast, north of San Francisco. Sure miss the south, and hope to move home soon!
God Bless.

[Spirited]

DC is, of course, disarmed. Supposed to trust the Government to do that under penalty of law.

[Elenya]

LOL!

[My Favorite Headache]

That Kurdish leader was assassinated the other day. It reminds me of a few days before 9-11 and that Afghani Northern Alliance leader who was killed and then an attack happened here.

[blam]

"Can you or anyone advise at what defcon level we are at now? "

Interesting question. I've always related the defcon levels to the nuclear alerts with the Soviets. I don't know if they relate to this situation or not? We're at color orange which is next to the highest, which is red. So....does that relate to defcon 3? Don't know.

[Humidston]

Our local TV people say you should cut each window out to size, save, and wait till you're instructed to cover them. Tape the plastic inside, not outside and do all the windows in your house.