Or, When Is A Military Operation, NOT A Military Operation?

The Navy's successful outer-atmosphere shootdown of an ailing US spy satellite last week proves the nation's missile defense systems work, US Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday.

"I think, actually, the question of whether this capability works has been settled. The question is: Against what kind of a threat (do we employ the technology)? How large a threat? How sophisticated a threat?" Gates said during a meeting with press after a tour of the Navy's USS Russell, one of three ships involved in the shootdown, reports American Forces Press Service.

As ANN reported, the Bush administration authorized the operation to destroy the satellite ahead of its expected fall from orbit in early March. Launched in December 2006, computers onboard the satellite failed soon after reaching orbit, leaving it unable to respond to commands from the ground.

Officials told the public they were concerned parts of the bus-sized satellite would possibly fall on inhabited areas if allowed to reenter on its own... including a nearly-full tank of hydrazine, a highly toxic propellant used in the satellite's maneuvering thrusters. Military leaders also expressed misgivings about the possibility the technology onboard the reconnaissance satellite -- in particular, a top-secret imaging camera -- could have fallen into hostile hands.

US authorities took steps to placate leaders in China and Russia ahead of, and immediately after, the launch... stating the shootdown was primarily a humanitarian gesture, and not an overt military action. That sentiment was reiterated by Gates this week... but he also noted the military importance of the operation, notably in his referral to the operation as a missile defense test.

"I think that people remember a time some years ago when missile defense was extremely controversial and a lot of people questioned whether it would work or not, and there was always a struggle in the Congress to get money for missile defense," Gates said in an interview with media traveling with him. "One of the significant changes that has taken place in Washington over the past few years has been a general recognition that the development of the system has proceeded, that it does have capability, and that it is increasingly sophisticated in terms of the kind of challenges that it may be able to beat -- although it still (is) very much designed for a very limited kind of threat."

While Congress and other leaders likely were aware of the missile defense system's capabilities, the general public still was not, Gates said. He said that a side benefit of the satellite shootdown was that the American public got to see a demonstration of the missile defense capabilities.

"Completely a side benefit of yesterday's action was to underscore the money that the Congress has been voting for this has resulted in a very real capability," Gates said. "I think the issue of whether it will work is behind us, and we just need to keep improving this capability."

Of course, Gates probably didn't mind a bit that China and Russia were watching, too... and took note of US progress on its much-touted "missile shield."

FMI: www.pentagon.mil