Let it Rain

Let’s hope it doesn’t rain when the North Koreans and Iranians attack us with their ballistic missiles:

Torrential rains wiped out a quarter of the U.S.’ intercontinental ballistic missile interceptors in Ft. Greely, Alaska last summer — right when North Korea was preparing to carry out an advanced missile launch, according to documents obtained by the Project On Government Oversight.

“The flooding occurred during a three-week period between the end of June and early July 2006,” POGO notes, in a statement. “The flooding damaged 25% of the U.S. interceptor missiles’ launch capability. These silos house the interceptor missiles that would be used to attempt to intercept a missile aimed at the United States. No interceptors were in the flooded silos.”

Noah (really, could this story have a more appropriately dubbed author?) puts it aptly:

What exactly are we getting, for the $9 billion a year we’re paying for missile defense? And why can’t it take a little rain?

Cross-posted to Tapped.