Missile Defense Impacts RIMPAC Exercises

July 3, 2012 - PRLog -- “The most important and fundamental piece of RIMPAC, at the core of this joint Pacific mission and demonstration, is the clear reinforcement of the international freedom of the seas in a Pacific Region that spans from the Indian to the Pacific Ocean”.

“These RIMPAC exercises  ride the momentum of a successful test of the SM-3 Block IB interceptor, launched from the Aegis BMD ship, the USS Lake Erie, here in Hawaii, and the successful joint exercises by the U.S., Japan, and Korea, off Inchon, Korea over the past week”.

“Aegis BMD capable destroyers with AN/SPY-1 radars are the most common ships in the Pacific amongst the countries that are participating and other Pacific Rim countries, such as Australia, are moving towards attaining this common capability”.

“The U.S. and its Pacific allies' missile defense assets deployed in this region provide a strong deterrent influence on proliferating missile countries and entities in this Pacific region of the world.  Missile defense helps open and widen multilateral relationships with Pacific Rim countries as it provides more stability in the international access and freedom of the seas, air, and space in this region”.

Ellison concludes with: “Global economic growth and the United States economic recovery is dependent on a stable Asia region which is only possible with multilateral missile defense systems.  These RIMPAC exercises help share the burden and cost with our allies in defending freedom, assuring stability and making the world a safer place”.