Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Views Remote Live Video of Historic Missile Flight Test on Kaua‘i

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) this morning attended a live viewing of an historic planned missile flight test on Kaua‘i. The congresswoman traveled to Fort Belvoir, Va., for a national security briefing from Missile Defense Agency leadership and to witness the 1:35 a.m. Eastern Time missile flight test.

“I appreciated remotely viewing this first-ever, historic flight test from a land-based Aegis ballistic missile defense system, and was pleased that it was executed successfully,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. “The Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex on Kaua‘i confirms Hawai‘i’s important strategic role in our nation’s investment in our ballistic missile defense capabilities. The Aegis Ashore system has great relevance in the Asia-Pacific region, where recent and repeated threats from North Korea have escalated against our nation and our allies. Not only have missile threats from North Korea been increasing, so are their capabilities – putting the U.S., and the people and national defense assets in Hawai‘i, under threat.

“Last night’s missile test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility marks positive progress in defending the U.S. and our allies against threats of short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.”

Military attachés from Romania and Poland were also present last night, and received updates on the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense facilities being built in their countries.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard recently included an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act to require the Missile Defense Agency to report on keeping the Aegis Ashore missile defense test system permanently at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua‘i, and converting it from a test site to a full-time operational site for the defense of Hawai‘i.