U.S. Activates Alaska Missile Defense Unit

January 23, 2004

FORT GREELY, Alaska, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- An Alaska National Guard battalion was activated as the United States' first ground-based missile defense unit Thursday.

The unit, which will eventually boast 110 soldiers, will man ground-based interceptors that are designed to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles and give the military a deterrent and a defensive capability it currently doesn't have.

Maj. Gen. Larry Dodgen, commander of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, took part in Thursday's activation ceremony at Fort Greely in Alaska.

The Alaskans will be attached to the Colorado-based 100th Missile Defense Brigade.

http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20040122-091142-6690r.htm