Hawaii reinstates Cold-War era nuclear attack warning signal amid North Korea tension

[AdamG]

* Separate from NK Thread.

* Indicator

(NEW YORK) — Hawaii is reinstating a statewide nuclear attack warning signal in December to prepare for a potential attack from North Korea.
The alarm, which has not been used since the Cold War will be reinstated on Dec. 1 as part of a ballistic missile preparedness program, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA).
Residents are instructed to immediately “Get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned” when they hear the siren. Alerts will be sent to resident’s phones and broadcast on television and radio.
“When [HI-EMA] started this campaign there were concerns we would scare the public. What we are putting out is information based on the best science that we have on what would happen if that weapon hit Honolulu or the assumed targets,” said HI-EMA Administrator Vern Miyagi during an emergency preparedness presentation.

http://kticradio.com/abc_national/ha...abcid36001960/

[AdamG]

For other than changes in Civil Defense posture, see the primary North Korean thread for updates.

http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ad.php?t=25028

[AdamG]

Any other Americans remember seeing surplus vehicles painted baby blue, with the Civil Defense insignia?

The organization still exists.
https://tacda.org/

[AdamG]

The US agency tasked with protecting the country from missile attacks is scouting the West Coast for places to deploy new anti-missile defences, two Congressmen said on Saturday, as North Korea's missile tests raise concerns about how the United States would defend itself from an attack.

West Coast defences would likely include Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missiles, similar to those deployed in South Korea to protect against a potential North Korean attack.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...-a8089251.html

Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.

[davidbfpo]

Adam G cited:

The US agency tasked with protecting the country from missile attacks is scouting the West Coast for places to deploy new anti-missile defences, two Congressmen said on Saturday, as North Korea's missile tests raise concerns about how the United States would defend itself from an attack.

West Coast defences would likely include Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missiles, similar to those deployed in South Korea to protect against a potential North Korean attack.

I find this 'scouting' now story barely credible. So the US government has had no contingency plans for homeland defence against a long predicted, possible threat? If true then someone needs to explain.

[Bill Moore]

Adam G cited:

I find this 'scouting' now story barely credible. So the US government has had no contingency plans for homeland defence against a long predicted, possible threat? If true then someone needs to explain.

I think it is believable, and it doesn't mean we don't have existing missile defense systems in place (you can read about the tests of those defense systems in the media). I interpret this to mean that they're thickening the current ballistic missile defense systems. A recent article said the current systems are only 60% effective when they have conducted preplanned tests. Clearly hitting a bullet in flight with another bullet isn't easy. Suspect the success ratio will decrease when real world intercepts are attempted when there is limited or no warning, and there is bad weather on top of that. All the more reason to put more systems in place.

Also a reason to focus on the pre-emptive strike. Yes, the preemptive strike comes with a lot of risk baggage, but so does getting struck by a nuclear weapon.

[AdamG]

Millions of Japanese will take part in evacuation drills in Tokyo as the country simulates a nuclear attack

Tokyo will conduct nuclear evacuation drills for the first time next year
The drills will take place between January and March in central Tokyo
Residents will practice heading to shelters as warning sirens blast out
North Korea last week fired a powerful nuclear-capable ballistic missile

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ills-time.html

[AdamG]

So the US government has had no contingency plans for homeland defence against a long predicted, possible threat? If true then someone needs to explain.

Not to the Dr Strangelove era level of Civil Defense. To wit,
http://www.mauinews.com/opinion/lett...ld-be-helpful/

Commentary by LTG Dan Leaf (Ret) worth reading -

Comprehensive missile defense for the homeland
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/...nd-commentary/

Summation -

Having the strategy is not enough. The government must have supporting policies including assigning operational responsibility and clearly defining engagement authority. Ballistic and cruise missile defense are two different challenges technically and tactically. The authorities for missile defense are divided piecemeal between multiple commands and agencies. If there was ever a situation where unity of command matters, this is it. In the event of a missile attack, there will not be time to decide who is going to decide.

North Korea and terrorism are clear and immediate dangers, but the missile threat to the homeland must be a long-term concern countered with a comprehensive homeland missile defense plan from the Department of Defense and supported by the administration and lawmakers. This CMHD should be a key element of the follow-up to the new National Defense Strategy.

[AdamG]

Citing North Korea's growing nuclear and ballistic missile threat, the Trump administration is moving to vastly expand the problem-plagued homeland missile defense system despite warnings that the planned upgrades may not succeed.
Immediate plans call for building two $1-billion radar installations and adding 20 rocket interceptors to the 44 already deployed in underground silos at Ft. Greely in Alaska and at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

http://beta.latimes.com/politics/la-...222-story.html