The U.S. military is positioning more missile defenses around Hawai'i as a precaution against a possible North Korean launch across the Pacific, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday.

"We do have some concerns if they were to launch a missile ... in the direction of Hawai'i," Gates said.

Ground-based long-range missile interceptors at Fort Greely in Alaska and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California would provide primary protection for Hawai'i, with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system offering additional missile intercept capability from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua'i.

The THAAD system, designed to destroy short- to medium-range ballistic missiles minutes before they strike their target, has not been tested on long-range rockets. The mobile launcher recently was returned to Kaua'i from Vandenberg, where it underwent additional testing, according to U.S. Pacific Command spokeswoman Maj. Tracey Lewis.

In previous tests at the Kaua'i facility, it went a perfect 5 for 5 in knocking out incoming missiles. Lewis said one more test is scheduled before the end of September.

Gates also ordered use of the sea-based X-Brand Radar from Pearl Harbor, a move that was not taken when Pyongyang conducted its last missile test in April. The $900 million SBX system features a 280-foot-high white dome that encases powerful radar meant to keep an eye out for rogue missiles flying toward the United States. The dome, which resembles a giant golf ball, sits atop a self-propelled oil platform.

The SBX was spotted heading out to sea on Wednesday.

Together, the systems theoretically could detect and shoot down a North Korean missile if it came to that.

In addition, 16 of the Navy's 18 Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense-equipped ships are assigned to the Pacific Fleet and could be deployed off the Korean Peninsula to shoot down errant rockets.

"The ground-based interceptors are clearly in a position to take action," Gates said. "So without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say, I think we are in a good position, should it become necessary to protect American territory."

A Japanese newspaper reported yesterday that North Korea might fire its most advanced ballistic missile — the Taepodong-2 — toward Hawai'i sometime around July 4. It is expected to be launched from the country's Dongchang-ni site on the northwestern coast, the Yomiuri Shimbum said, citing analysis by Japan's Defense Ministry and intelligence gathered by U.S. reconnaissance satellites.

Most experts doubt a North Korean missile could reach Hawai'i, roughly 4,500 miles from the Korean Peninsula and just out of reach of even an upgraded Taepodong-2, which has an estimated range of 4,000 miles.

So far, the missile has proven inaccurate and has failed to reach a third stage, a critical leap to be able to hit the United States.

A 2006 missile launch failed seconds after liftoff and fell into the ocean. In April, a Taepodong-2 rocket flew for about 13 minutes before plunging into the ocean 790 miles east of Japan as the second of its three stages was firing.

'PRUDENT' ACTION

Philip Coyle, a senior adviser at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Defense Information and a former assistant secretary of defense in the Clinton administration, told The Advertiser yesterday that the heightened U.S. military reaction to reports of a missile launch next month shouldn't be taken as an indication of a greater threat to Hawai'i.

"The actions Secretary Gates is taking are prudent but they are, in part, intended to indicate to North Korea that they shouldn't be messing around, not because they can reach Hawai'i but because they shouldn't be messing around, in general, like they have been," he said.

Recent missile launches and last month's underground nuclear detonation by North Korea brought international condemnation and new United Nations sanctions. Coyle said the actions are attempts by the regime to gain international recognition and re-engage the United States in negotiations on energy, food aid and other issues.

"They would have to be suicidal to attack any part of the United States, even the farthest-out tip of the Aleutians. It would justify massive retaliation and bring an end to the regime. I'm the first to admit North Korea has done a lot of crazy things, but they are not suicidal," Coyle said.

"This is sword-rattling, and North Korea is very good at sword-rattling,"

Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy research institute in Washington, D.C., offered further reassurance that Hawai'i is not being targeted by Pyongyang. He told The Advertiser that statements the missiles would be launched "toward Hawai'i" are misleading.

"What they simply meant was 'east,' " and from North Korea, "the largest expanse of open water is toward the east," he said.

Klingner also noted it is standard practice for space launches to fly in an easterly trajectory in the direction of the Earth's rotation. However, if North Korea has fixed the problems with the Taepodong-2, Klingner said "it could go significantly farther than it did in April."

He said clues to Pyongyang's intentions also can be found in the absence of strong rhetoric threatening a first strike.

Klingner speculated the SBX radar system wasn't deployed in April because the U.S. didn't want to "inflame the situation by indicating it may shoot down the missile. If it has been deployed this time, it's for intelligence gathering or to be more prepared if the missile is launched in a provocative manner."

At the time of the April missile test, the U.S. military said the radar system was in port for repairs.

PENTAGON CONFIDENT

Pentagon officials and experts said they are confident that U.S. missile defense systems would be able to intercept any missiles that might endanger Hawai'i.

Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, a top U.S. defense official said he was "90 percent-plus" confident the United States could shoot down a missile launched from North Korea.

Marine Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, estimated it would take at least three to five years for Pyongyang to overcome technical problems with its long-range missiles and develop the capability of hitting Hawai'i and the U.S. West Coast, and even longer to deliver a nuclear warhead.

At the U.S. Pacific Command at Camp Smith yesterday, Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Bell said, "Our concerns about missile activity in North Korea are longstanding and we closely monitor that threat daily."

Gov. Linda Lingle would not comment yesterday on the anticipated North Korean missile launch, referring questions to Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, the state's adjutant general.

Lee said he was in touch with the local military leaders yesterday. "I'm very assured that our military forces under United States Pacific Command has Hawai'i protected against a North Korean missile. And that's all I am allowed to say at this point," he said.

Asked whether he had any concerns about the threat, Lee answered: "No."

Other Hawai'i residents seemed a little more worried at news of a possible rocket launch in the direction of Hawai'i.

"North Korea's threat is very, very scary because they don't seem to care," said Wai'anae resident Shawntae Calarruda, 25. "Just the fact that they have their nuclear weapons and are ready to launch makes me very uneasy."

Riki Ellison, chairman of the Washington, D.C.-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, told The Advertiser he was encouraged to hear that the SBX radar system has been deployed. He criticized the decision not to use it for the April incident.

The nonprofit alliance supports a U.S. missile shield.

"North Korea is very close to being able to launch something much, much farther, and that's why we have more concerns. But I'm more confident with the engagement of the SBX system. It should have been used in the prior missile launch," Ellison said.