Missile defense
(FORT GREELY, Alaska) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates peers out of a Silo Interface Fault at an operational ground-based interceptor during a visit to the Missile Defense Complex on Fort Greely, Alaska. Secretary Gates saw the nation's operational arm of its strategic missile defense capability and the Soldiers of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) who are charged with defending the nation during a visit June 1. The 100th MDB (GMD) is stationed at Peterson Air Force Base and is a Colorado National Guard unit assigned to U.S. Space and Missile Defense Command, under the operational control of Northern Command for homeland defense. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jack Carlson III)