Silos get a revamp at Fort Greely
by Chris Freiberg/cfreiberg@newsminer.com

FAIRBANKS - The Department of Defense plans to finish silo construction at one Fort Greely missile field but decommission another, according to Alaska's senators.

The two senators offered different reactions to the plan, which they said calls for 14 completed silos in Missile Field 2.

Democratic Sen. Mark Begich said that number matches the original plans for Missile Field 2. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates earlier this year had announced plans to scale back the second field's expansion.

The new plan "is a welcome decision that will decrease the risk of the ever-evolving ballistic missile threats from rogue nations by increasing capacity required to defend the United States," Begich stated in a news release.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the decision falls short of reinstating the Bush administration's plans for Fort Greely.

"While the administration plans to complete work on Missile Field 2, it also plans to decommission Missile Field 1," she said in an e-mailed statement. "I remain unconvinced that abandonment of the Bush administration's plan, previously supported by Secretary Gates, is the right thing to do from a national security perspective."

Both Murkowski and Begich identified missiles from North Korea and Iran as potential threats to be countered by the missile defense system.

The missile defense system at Fort Greely has been a boon to nearby Delta Junction. The state estimates the post generates roughly $65 million in annual economic activity for Interior Alaska.

The first interceptor missiles were installed at Fort Greely in 2004. The interceptors are designed to knock down warheads launched with intercontinental ballistic missiles. Original plans called for as many 40 interceptors to be housed in three silo fields at Fort Greely.

President Barack Obama announced earlier this year that Missile Field 2 would not be completed. During a June visit to Fort Greely, Gates said the technology hadn't proven itself and the threat from rogue states could be handled with existing interceptors. He said, however, that more interceptors could be added to Fort Greely if needed.

A press release from Begich's office Tuesday noted his lobbying of fellow senators and Gates in support of continued expansion at Fort Greely. Begich accompanied Gates on the June tour.

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