Polish president visits Vandenberg's missile sites

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Cadette
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) --  The president of Poland came to Vandenberg Air Force Base July 17 to tour missile defense facilities located on the base and meet with Missile Defense Agency officials.

The visit followed President Lech Kaczynski meeting with President George W. Bush July 15 to discuss the U.S. proposal to emplace 10 long-range interceptor missiles in Poland as part of a missile shield program that would add to the United States and Europe's protection from long-range missiles launched from rogue regimes.

The president said this visit was his first time on a missile base, giving him a firsthand glimpse of missile defense operations. During the press conference at the 76th Helicopter Squadron hangar, he reflected on the difference between the present and the Cold War era.

"Twenty years ago, I could hardly imagine that not only myself but this huge delegation would be admitted to a military installation of this kind," President Kaczynski said. "So it's a symbol of the changes in the world.

"The fact that you are engaged in these kinds of activities proves there are dangerous forces in this world these days," he said. "Therefore, these defense preparations are extremely important. I do hope the facilities and things I have seen will never have to be used, and I am leaving you with this hope. But this does not mean we should not work on improving the system."

The Polish president met with Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering III, the director of the MDA, and 30th Space Wing members.

President Kaczynski visited Vandenberg AFB's Missile Assembly Building where Orbital Sciences puts interceptor missiles together. Vandenberg AFB members also had a special surprise for the president. The clamshell doors at Launch Facility 2 opened, and he peered over the edge and down into a missile silo.

"I think he was impressed," said Rick Lehner, a MDA Public Affairs member.

Vandenberg AFB has two interceptor missiles and advanced communications equipment integrated with the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

The system includes 17 long-range interceptor missiles based in Alaska, several radars and other sensors, and an integrated command and control network to provide defense of the United States against a limited long-range ballistic missile attack.

Vandenberg AFB was the first to emplace a ground-based interceptor missile in the United States on Dec. 10, 2004. The Missile Defense Agency plans to emplace four interceptors by 2011.

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