Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering III, in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, said there were about 80 foreign ballistic missile launches in 2005 and that North Korea and Iran are steadily advancing in their missile capabilities, according to a report from the American Forces Press Service.

"North Korea and Iran have not relented in their pursuit of longer-range ballistic missiles," Obering said. "Our current and near-term missile defense fielding activities are a direct response to these dangers."

In addition, the North Koreans test-fired a short-range ballistic missile as recently as March 8, according to Obering. Japan and South Korean, both U.S. allies, are within striking distance of such a missile.

In 2004, the Missile Defense Agency fielded its initial ground-based midcourse defense components, which have the capability to strike a missile while it's in the air. "We made history by establishing a limited defensive capability for the United States against a possible long-range ballistic missile attack from North Korea and the Middle East," Obering said.

The agency has placed nine anti-ballistic missiles -- or interceptor missiles -- in Alaska and two in California. The interceptors can be brought to alert status in an emergency but are not yet on full-time activation.

The anti-ballistic missiles in Alaska and California are "hit-to-kill" interceptors that destroy incoming enemy missiles by physically colliding into them.

In his testimony, Obering said the U. S. should anticipate that in the future its enemies could use ballistic missiles to threaten foreign policy objectives or pursue a policy of terrorism by holding U.S. cities hostage.

"After all, those who support global terrorism can hide behind the threats posed by offensive missiles carrying highly destructive or lethal payloads," he said.

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