PAC-3 deployment completed to intercept N. Korean rocket

The Mainichi ^ | 3/5/2012 | The Mainichi

[U-238]

Japan completed on Thursday the deployment of its ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors in Okinawa Prefecture to prepare for North Korea's planned rocket launch sometime next week.

With the arrival of the Maritime Self-Defense Force transport ship Kunisaki carrying the PAC-3 at Ishigaki Island, the interceptors are now deployed to four locations in Okinawa that also includes its capital Naha, Miyako and Nanjo.

Japan is bracing itself for the rocket launch after North Korea announced last month that it will launch an ''earth observation satellite'' to mark the centennial of its state founder Kim Il Sung's birthday on April 15.

Japan and many other nations believe, however, that the launch is actually a long-range ballistic missile test in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

PAC-3s will also be deployed to the Self-Defense Forces' bases or training areas in the Tokyo metropolitan area, namely Ichigaya, Narashino and Asaka in the following days.

The PAC-3 deployment to seven locations in Okinawa and the Tokyo area went into full swing based on Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka's order Friday to the SDF that they should intercept a North Korean rocket if necessary to prevent the rocket and its debris from falling on Japanese territory.

[FedsRStealingOurCountryFromUs]

NK doesn’t need intelligence. It’s all right here. What a joke.

[hinckley buzzard]

I'm sure the Japanese would prefer the Norks alter their rocket's course than actually shoot it down. This looks like an effort to let them know Japan is serious, and to encourage them to take appropriate action.