Off The Editor’s Desk – 12-9-2020
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The new space force!
I don’t know how many people are aware that we added a new branch to our military called the Space Force. It was founded last December and is the eighth United States uniformed services.
As I was reading an opinion piece in the Sunday St. Paul Pioneer Press of November 29th the new space force came to my mind.
The article penned by Patty-Jane Geller, a policy analyst for nuclear deterrence and missile defense in The Heritage Foundation’s Center for National Defense, was about the new missile defense test. Part of it stated that, “they successfully shot down an intercontinental-range ballistic missile using the Navy’s Standard Missile launched from a navy destroyer.
“Missile defense is nothing new, of course. The U.S. has had one for years. But, until now, we’ve tested its ability to defend the homeland from incoming missile attacks with ground based system.
“This system consists of 44 ground based interceptors deployed in Alaska and California, poised to intercept incoming missiles in their midcourse phase as they fly through space before reentering the atmosphere.
“These interceptors are a crucial component of U.S. policy to defend the homeland from rogue threats such as North Korea and Iran, both of which have been working to improve their nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.”
Congress has been informed that the present system can defend against the threat from North Korea now, but the future is in question. North Korea displayed a new ICBM at a parade recently and the question is, will our system be overwhelmed by advancements in Iran and North Korea’s technology?
“The Missile Defense Agency aims to begin fielding the Next Generation interceptor by 2028. Earlier this year the Pentagon proposed developing a homeland defense underlay, a second layer of interceptors that can take a shot at incoming missiles if our ground-based missiles miss.”
So, lets join the Space Force. At this time it does not have anything to do with our defensive missile system, but who knows what the future has in store.
Do you remember President Trump’s “State of the Union” speech back on February 4th, 2020? During that speech, he told us about the Space Force, saying, “just weeks ago, for the first time since President Truman established the Air Force more than 70 years earlier, we created a brand-new branch of the United States Armed Forces. It’s called the Space Force, very important.
He continued with, “In the Gallery tonight, we have a young gentleman. And, what he wants so badly – 13 years old – Iain Lanphier. He’s an eighth grader from Arizona.
“Iain has always dreamed of going to space. He was the first in his class and among the youngest at an aviation academy. He aspires to go to the Air Force Academy, and then he has his eye on the Space Force. As Iain says, ‘Most people look up at space. I want to look down on the world.
“But sitting behind Iain tonight is his greatest hero of them all. Charles McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one century ago. Charles is one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, the first black fighter pilots, and he also happens to be Iain’s great-grandfather. Incredible story,” the president said.
“After more than 130 combat missions in World War Two, he came back home to a country still struggling for civil rights and went on to serve America in Korea and Vietnam. On December 7th 2019, Charles celebrated his 100th birthday. A few weeks ago, I signed a bill promoting Charles McGee to Brigadier General. And, earlier today, I pinned the stars on his shoulders in the Oval Office. General McGee, our nation salutes you. Thank you sir.”
Now if that story does not bring a tear to your eye, I don’t know what would.
Thanks for reading! ~Carlton