WTF?!? Did you know there was a missile shot last night off CA coast?

[mzkitty]

Pentagon, Navy tell NBC they have no idea who launched Monday night's missile off Calif. coast. 'We're checking,' frustrated officials say

via user16mins ago
spotted by editor spotted by editor

---------

Apparent sizeable missile of unknown origin was launched off Los Angeles coast last night, KCBS reports. Video:

via user18mins ago
spotted by editor spotted by editor
viawww.cbsnews.com

 

[mt4design]

humm... THAT is freaky. Didn't even see or hear about this on local news this morning.

Maybe someone put Pelosi in it and shot her to the moon.

Mike

 

[SarahLynn]

Yes indeed, it would be nice to know who launched it, and in what direction....

 

[TheSearcher]

Yes indeed, it would be nice to know who launched it, and in what direction....

Roger that. Y'know, I keep expecting to see multiple tracks like that headed towards Houston someday soon, so that video gave me the willies...

 

[mzkitty]

See link for vid:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/09/national/main7036716.shtml

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9, 2010

Mystery Missile Launch Seen off Calif. Coast
Military Mum on Nature of "Big Missile" Rising Out of Pacific - a Possible Show of U.S. Military Might



This image captured by a KCBS News helicopter shows an unidentified projectile launched from an unknown point in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Los Angeles, Nov. 8, 2010. (KCBS)


(CBS) A mysterious missile launch off the southern California coast was caught by CBS affiliate KCBS's cameras Monday night, and officials are staying tight-lipped over the nature of the projectile.

CBS station KFMB put in calls to the Navy and Air Force Monday night about the striking launch off the coast of Los Angeles, which was easily visible from the coast, but the military has said nothing about the launch.

KFMB showed video of the apparent missile to former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Robert Ellsworth, who is also a former Deputy Secretary of Defense, to get his thoughts.

Scroll down for KFMB video showing the launch.

"It's spectacular… It takes people's breath away," said Ellsworth, calling the projectile, "a big missile".

Magnificent images were captured by the KCBS news helicopter in L.A. around sunset Monday evening. The location of the missile was about 35 miles out to sea, west of L.A. and north of Catalina Island.

A Navy spokesperson told KFMB it wasn't their missile. He said there was no Navy activity reported in the area Monday evening.

On Friday night, Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California, launched a Delta II rocket, carrying an Italian satellite into orbit, but a sergeant at the base told KFMB there had been no launches since then.

Ellsworth urged American to wait for definitive answers to come from the military.

When asked, however, what he thought it might be, the former ambassador said it could possibly have been a missile test timed as a demonstration of American military might as President Obama tours Asia.

"It could be a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine … to demonstrate, mainly to Asia, that we can do that," speculated Ellsworth.

Ellsworth said such tests were carried out in the Atlantic to demonstrate America's power to the Soviets, when there was a Soviet Union, but he doesn't believe an ICBM has previously been tested by the U.S. over the Pacific.

Officially, at least, the projectile remains a mystery missile.

 

[inynmn]

excerpts - link - fair use - for education and discussion - includes video:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/09/national/main7036716.shtml


Mystery Missile Launch Seen off Calif. Coast
Military Mum on Nature of "Big Missile" Rising Out of Pacific - a Possible Show of U.S. Military Might


This statement is disconcerting:

KFMB showed video of the apparent missile to former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Robert Ellsworth, who is also a former Deputy Secretary of Defense, to get his thoughts.

Ellsworth urged American to wait for definitive answers to come from the military.

When asked, however, what he thought it might be, the former ambassador said it could possibly have been a missile test timed as a demonstration of American military might as President Obama tours Asia.

"It could be a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine … to demonstrate, mainly to Asia, that we can do that," speculated Ellsworth.

Ellsworth said such tests were carried out in the Atlantic to demonstrate America's power to the Soviets, when there was a Soviet Union, but he doesn't believe an ICBM has previously been tested by the U.S. over the Pacific.

 

[summerthyme]

The other comment that bothered me was him saying "it's not an atomic one".

HOW does he know? (I mean, yeah, I'm sure we've been testing air, etc constantly since it was seen... but just by looking at the video? Right)

Summerthyme

 

[Hfcomms]

Ah, tonite the Q-bird will say that once again the Russians or Chinese tried to nuke us but our space based weapons shot it down. Or was it the crazy pajama man in N. Korea, nah it was probably the UFO's that shot it down.

 

[sardog]

Everybody hold up, I gotta check my inventory.

 

[Brutus]

"It could be a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine … to demonstrate, mainly to Asia, that we can do that," speculated Ellsworth.

Yeah, and it could just as easily have been the Russians or the ChiComms demonstrating to *US* that, "Yes, we can slip in that close to your coast undetected and launch a missile," proving that *THEY* can do that.

 

[Palmetto]

That was a military launch.

Whose is the question.

Sounds like Cappy's Scud in a bucket scenario.

Palmetto

 

[mzkitty]

That was a military launch.

Whose is the question.

Palmetto

Lots of people talking about it now; here's a bunch of sites you can click, too many for me to post:

http://www.google.com/search?q=miss...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

[SteveReloaded]

Agree

Yeah, and it could just as easily have been the Russians or the ChiComms demonstrating to *US* that, "Yes, we can slip in that close to your coast undetected and launch a missile," proving that *THEY* can do that.

Brutus, that was my thoughts too. The only flaw to that theory is the stupid stationary Helicopter (the one u can see, not the one taking the video) apparently on station and watching.

 

[Archetype]

I respect the ambassador's opinion, but if the US wanted to demonstrate to Asia it's strategic reach, why not just conduct a Minuteman firing from Vandenberg? And why not disclose that it happened? I don't think that the Chinese/Indians/Pakistanis/etc are going to be so in awe of a missile test, anyway..it happens several times a year, it's a blip on the news and then its gone.

Parking a boomer off LA and firing a Trident (which is what this looks like at first glance) doesn't make a great deal of sense. Where there airspace restrictions last night in that area? Where there any other assets noted being active?

 

[inynmn]

I hope they "figure it out" - we are running out of money and excuses

Pentagon Has 'No Clue' Who Launched SoCal Missile
By R. STICKNEY
Updated 6:34 AM PST, Tue, Nov 9, 2010

link: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/bre...-Who-Launched-Missile-in-SoCal-106954903.html

excerpts:

No on in the Pentagon knows exactly what it is.
It cannot be a planned military launch because no branch had a military action planned, according to Miklaszewski.
The other possibility is that the missile was launched unintentionally. It may have been a screwup. Someone may have simply punched the wrong button.
Another possibility, it would be sophisticated launch just to create a spectacular site in the sky.

 

[hammerhead]

The other comment that bothered me was him saying "it's not an atomic one".

HOW does he know? (I mean, yeah, I'm sure we've been testing air, etc constantly since it was seen... but just by looking at the video? Right)

Summerthyme

He might know, or it might just be a reflexive statement intended to soothe the public. We hear them periodically:

"It wasn't terrorism."
"It wasn't nuclear."
etc.

 

[SteveReloaded]

To take it a step further

The Narcisist in charge did say we could absorb a strike.

So, assuming someone did sneak up to coast and launch. Assuming it failed, as you don't 'test' those things. Two assumptions follow:

1) 0 wouldn't even order a counter strike.

2) They will never say who. They will let this just die out.

 

[Jazzdad]

When asked, however, what he thought it might be, the former ambassador said it could possibly have been a missile test timed as a demonstration of American military might as President Obama tours Asia.

"It could be a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine … to demonstrate, mainly to Asia, that we can do that," speculated Ellsworth.

The whole world knows that we can launch an ICBM from any ocean in the world. The Trident II has been in operation for 20 years. So what new message would a launch by us send at this point.

Far more ominous is that this launch might have been conducted by another country to demonstrate THEIR military capability while Obama is touring Asia. Russia or China are the obvious possible culprits. China must be pretty miffed that we are selling new military technology to their traditional enemy, India, after such a high profile visit. They might also be angry with Bernanke's debasement of their dollar holdings. China has a significant SLBM capability that is relatively new:

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/slbm/jl-2.htm

Testing this capability right in our faces would definitely send a message.

Normally when we conduct test missile launches or satellite launches they are announced in advance so that the tests are not misinterpreted by our enemies or allies as real missile attacks. If this missile launch was unannounced, it is a very serious development regardless of who launched it.

 

[SteveReloaded]

Yep JD

And again, with no real leadership, it will go un-answered. Wouldn't want to upset those financial markets, now would we. After all it did fizzle, right? No harm, no foul?, right....

HTF did a active launch vehicle get close enough to our coast to lob an ICBM and no one is even upset? Really? We are so scr**d.

 

[Archetype]

From the geography quoted, it *could* be a black project using the Pt. Mugu ranges, but I'm not seeing (from a quick glance at available sources) any sort of airspace restrictions last night in that area.

 

[dieseltrooper]

If it were the Russians or chicoms, why sacrifice tactical surprise?
I'd love to know if the USN is scrambling to launch an ASW mission in the area...

 

[Perpetuity]

And our military with all of it's tech doesn't know where a missile came from that was shot thirty odd miles off the coast of a major city??? Have I been laboring under the false pretense that we actually had the ability to detect such things, or are we still running on '50's technology?

Or could it be that the Pentagon is full of horse hockey and knows exactly where it originated from, if not their own. If not our own, there's going to be some major relocation of military hardware to the area that's probably already started. I seriously doubt the military is going to let something like this slide by unless it's one of ours. It just makes no sense logically.

Then again, we have an administration that would settle the whole event of an enemy missile firing with a strongly worded apology (complete with obligatory bowing) that our coastline was located too close to their (legal) military maneuvers.

 

[Hfcomms]

And our military with all of it's tech doesn't know where a missile came from that was shot thirty odd miles off the coast of a major city???

Of course the military knows exactly what happened. Within 30 seconds space based early warning satellites detected the launch and within an additional 30 seconds the satellites triangulated the launch position. Within a few more minutes everything is analyzed and they know what type of a missile it is and where it is aimed. Don't buy into the disinfo that is flying. I can't say for sure of course exactly who launched the missile but the military knows everything there is to know about it within minutes. It's Norad's job and they are very good at it.

 

[peetar]

Of course the military knows exactly what happened. Within 30 seconds space based early warning satellites detected the launch and within an additional 30 seconds the satellites triangulated the launch position. Within a few more minutes everything is analyzed and they know what type of a missile it is and where it is aimed. Don't buy into the disinfo that is flying. I can't say for sure of course exactly who launched the missile but the military knows everything there is to know about it within minutes. It's Norad's job and they are very good at it.

100% true.

 

[Double_A]

Lets see how did it go in that movie...

...If they launch one we'll, launch one

.....One away SIR!

... BOOM

.....BOOM

 

[mt4design]

So, basically, it was a sea lunch and the launch vehicle was not identified which then, I suppose, suggests that it was a sub based launch.

Well, there aren't too many friendly subs out there other than our own and no friendly sub is going to launch off the coast of California.

Therefore, was it a failed attempt to create an explosion in the upper aptmosphere and generate an EMP that would take out the west coast of the nation?

Mike

ETA: That launch, which I didn't see at all, took place mere miles from where I sit right now... which doesn't leave me feeling at all comfortable.

 

[maric]

So, basically, it was a sea lunch and the launch vehicle was not identified which then, I suppose, suggests that it was a sub based launch.

Well you just eliminated my need for EXLAX! See my post in BS.

 

[mt4design]

crap... I just viewed that video.

I've lived here all my life. I've seen missiles fired off the coast numerous times from Vandenberg. That fricken thing was huge.

Mike

 

[Archetype]

Not necessarily - launch warning satellites are over/focused on the Russian, Chinese, etc, not the US. If any military radars were active however, they should have gotten a skin track on this thing, so they (assuming it wasn't US to begin with) may have an idea where it started/ended up.

It smells almost like a black program launch, but why at sunset, when the contrail is going to be visible forever. And why no restrictions (always assuming there weren't any that I can't find)?? And why no cover story ("it was a sounding rocket")??

 

[intothatgoodnight]

Any word on the trajectory followed by this missile? Where did it come down?

A rogue boomer? Not "ours," and not "theirs," either? Are there any third party non-state entities that own or control any such?

I concur with the possibility that it could be assets from the Port Hueneme or Point Mugu NAS, or the Point Loma folks.


intothegoodnight

 

[mt4design]

crap... I just viewed that video.

I've lived here all my life. I've seen missiles fired off the coast numerous times from Vandenberg. That fricken thing was huge.

Mike

From the map on the video it looks like this launch took place around a very small island called Santa Barbara.

Some personal recollection regarding launches here is that they always occur around sunset. I'm not sure why except that they cause some very brilliant skies.

From the video, it looks like the missile is heading away from the the Cali Coast and not over the U.S. Could someone have been attempting to draw incoming fire?

Mike

 

[onetimer]

I was duping this story after search failed, oops!!

ICBM!!

 

[Garand]

If it was a our military launching as part of an exercise or test they would have had to inform LAX airport ahead of time.

Maybe we stopped an attack.

 

[summerthyme]

So, basically, it was a sea lunch and the launch vehicle was not identified which then, I suppose, suggests that it was a sub based launch.

Well, there aren't too many friendly subs out there other than our own and no friendly sub is going to launch off the coast of California.

Therefore, was it a failed attempt to create an explosion in the upper aptmosphere and generate an EMP that would take out the west coast of the nation?

Mike

ETA: That launch, which I didn't see at all, took place mere miles from where I sit right now... which doesn't leave me feeling at all comfortable.

Mike... I don't claim any knowledge at all, but that was my very first "gut" feeling when I heard the news this morning.

Just DAMN.

Summerthyme

 

[maric]

I thought there was a Naval base on Santa Barbara. I could swear that a friend was stationed there years ago.

 

[onetimer]

"It could be a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine … to demonstrate, mainly to Asia, that we can do that," speculated Ellsworth.

What country would think we couldn't? very weak speculation

 

[mzkitty]

I thought there was a Naval base on Santa Barbara. I could swear that a friend was stationed there years ago.

http://www.google.com/search?q=nava...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

[diamonds]

It is being hinted that ObamAss may have ordered the missle test from one of our own subs... That he wanted to "show off" what we can do to impress those he is overseas with...

 

[Double_A]

Not necessarily - launch warning satellites are over/focused on the Russian, Chinese, etc, not the US. If any military radars were active however, they should have gotten a skin track on this thing, so they (assuming it wasn't US to begin with) may have an idea where it started/ended up.

It smells almost like a black program launch, but why at sunset, when the contrail is going to be visible forever. And why no restrictions (always assuming there weren't any that I can't find)?? And why no cover story ("it was a sounding rocket")??

Excellent questions.

We have agreements to give notice to pilots. Even the North Koreans give warning when they are going to conduct launch exercises.

Vandenberg will not give any info when they launch a spy sat, but they will give public warnings an hour or so in advance.

Something isn't right.

Why in hell do you say we don't know? Make up some bullshit story, but don't say we don't know.

Missile launches at or shortly after sunset can be seen for a hundred miles or more, especially if it is solid fuel!

 

[West]

If it hasn't been posted....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warning_shot

By analogy, "warning shot" can be said of any action of declaration, especially a demonstration of power, intended or perceived as a last warning before hostile measures.