VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The U.S. is boosting it's missile defense system on the West Coast.
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced 14 missile interceptors will be added by 2017 with a cost of about $1 billion. The news comes after recent nuclear threats by North Korea.
"The reason that we're doing what we're doing and the reason we're advancing our program here for homeland security is to not take any chances. It's to stay ahead of the threat," says Hagel.
The 14 interceptors will be added to the defense system in Alaska. 30 interceptors are currently in both Alaska and California. Vandenberg Air Force Base has 4 of them, and the missile defense agency has been actively involved in test launches at the base.
Lompoc Mayor John Linn says Vandenberg has been a jobs creator and revenue generator to the local economy. The increase in attention to missile defense on the West Coast means good things for the Central Coast.
"I think it also assures the test program here will go on and the efforts here to improve the launch facilities and ability of the system," says Linn.
Vandenberg officials weren't available for comment on the possible effect the news could have on the base.
Although Linn says he isn't aware of the immediate impact the local economy would receive, he welcomes an increased role in missile defense at the base.
"We can be safer, and get a few bucks in the process. You can hardly beat that," says Linn.
