Last week we reported that the outgoing head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) initiated the process of insourcing the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense program (GMD)—the only system that can protect the U.S. from the threat of ICBM-delivered nuclear weapons. In other words, he moved to take the program out of the hands of those who’ve developed it and bring it under the functional control of the federal government.
While the GMD system works right now, and it’s our only defense against ICBM’s, it’s still under development. And, the North Koreans are going as fast as they can to make a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile aimed at the United States. Therefore, making wholesale changes right now risks destabilizing the gains made so far by your neighbors and friends in Alabama. Thankfully, Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers is on the House Armed Services Committee, and he’s initiated legislation to slow these changes down, requiring further study and waiting on the new administration’s policy direction before restructuring the program.
The Congressman came on Yellowhammer Radio today and explained that the MDA has a ton on its plate, and emphasized the growing threat from North Korea, now is not the time to start tweaking the sole program that defends us from ICBM’s. As he told Yellowhammer News,
With the growing threats from North Korea and Iran, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has plenty on its plate. Our missile defense systems have suffered under the ravages of the last eight years under the Obama Administration. Now is not the time to complicate our homeland defense by introducing unnecessary uncertainty and disrupting the management of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program. This is why in my mark as Chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee, we direct that Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) office take a holistic look at the program before making any drastic changes to how its run.
While national security is obviously the most important reason to leave the program in Huntsville where it was developed, another result of moving the GMD is that Alabama jobs will eventually be lost. These jobs will either become government jobs or they’ll be outsourced to companies outside of Alabama.
Boeing has been the lead systems integrator and prime contractor responsible for developing the GMD program and they have 336 employees in Huntsville devoted to the project. However, the total number of workers devoted to the GMD in Huntsville is between 800 and 1,000, many of whom are employed by small companies that could go out of business if the GMD is moved out of Alabama.
Below are some of the companies that the break-up of the GMD is likely to hurt:
• All Points Logistical, LLC
• Apex Technology Design of Alabama, LLC,
• Cornerstone Supply Inc.
• Davidson Technologies Inc.
• DESE Research Inc.
• Iroquoi Systems Inc.
• JIT Military Sales, KORD Technologies Inc.
• NLOGIC LLC
• Packaging Unlimited,
• PENTA Research Inc,
• SEA Wire & Cable Inc,
• Sexton Welding and Supply,
• TelTron Telementary Systems, Trident Group Inc,
• Victory Solutions Inc,
• Wildwood Electronics Inc.
The Missile Defense Agency has new leadership. As of last week, Lt Gen Sam Greaves took over the reins. Hopefully, his new leadership, combined with the legislation to further study the changes will allow the Alabamians who largely developed the GMD to finish their work and ensure our safety from ballistic missiles and to keep high-paying jobs in Alabama. As Congressman Rogers concluded,
As a member of the Alabama delegation, I know the outstanding work done by the men and women of our state in support of our nation’s defense. It is time to give them the tools necessary to get the job done. I look forward to working with President Trump to build the best and most robust missile defense system for our nation.
Related: How Leftover Obama Appointees Are Threatening Alabama’s Jobs and Our National Security
Related: Boeing System Created in Alabama Successful In Destroying North Korean-Type Missiles
About the Author: Larry Huff is Yellowhammer’s Executive Editor and you can follow him on Twitter @LHYellowhammer
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