Is Huntsville a target? (Decatur, Redstone Arsenal: school, cost of, military)

[Charles]

With all the military brains here, in addition to DC and LA, would HSV be high on the list of potential targets by enemies of the US?

[harry chickpea]

My gut reaction is "Of course!" However, being somewhat inland, it is certainly safer than those two or Tampa, and you can be sure that defensive measures are in place. There is something else at work, as well. Notice that terrorists targeted NYC and Washington. They hate the bankers and politicians... hmmm.... oh well, continuing, a direct attack on major military bases would be unlikely except in a WW III situation.

[Reactionary]

I would think that Russia still has a few nukes pointed this way - the old USSR almost certainly did.

There are a bunch of hardened 'igloos' on the Arsenal that were built as shelters for the Military / Civil Service and their families. AFAIK, most are empty, some still have stuff in them.

Tough to assess a terrorist risk.

Spies are almost a given.

[mm34b]

Targets and areas most likely to be hit in a nuclear exchange are divided into three catagories;

PRIMARY:
These are mostly missile silos, bomber bases, submarine bases, and command and control centers. The enemy must neutralize these assets immediately to prevent or minimize retaliation.

SECONDARY:
Major military, industrial, governmental, and transportation centers. Also included are sea ports, locks and dams. These may be hit at once by the first missiles or struck by the bombers that will follow.

TERTIARY:
These are population and industrial centers that probably wouldn't be hit in the first strikes but would be high on the lists for later destruction to further cripple our ability to fight a prolonged war and/or recover and function as a nation.

[Southlander]

Back in the "duck and cover" days, we had school drills and studied what we would do here in Decatur if Huntsville got hit by a nuke. I remember one lecturer saying that yes, there would be life after a nuclear attack 20 miles away. We'd just have to stay inside for a few years and wash our lettuce!

I believe I remember them telling us that Huntsville could be hit, but it would be a second or third tier attack.

Ah, the good old days!

[zenjenn]

I had read somewhere that Redstone Arsenal was according to some sources estimated to be a strategic military target second only to the Pentagon. No idea if there is any validity to it or not, but even if it's true, it doesn't concern me in the slightest. Let's just keep that anti-missile R&D going!

[FCEddie]

When we moved here someone mentioned that we were a top 5 terrorist target.

1) NYC
2) DC
3) Hollywood
4) Redstone
5) Houston (port/oil)

I have nothing other than this guy's comments.

[33458]

Originally Posted by zenjenn

I had read somewhere that Redstone Arsenal was according to some sources estimated to be a strategic military target second only to the Pentagon. No idea if there is any validity to it or not, but even if it's true, it doesn't concern me in the slightest. Let's just keep that anti-missile R&D going!

Yes, husband mentioned that early on, with some specifics that included more than just the arsenal...although I don't recall it being site rated.

The cost of advanced technology.

[caution]

I'll disagree a bit here.

Sure, in terms of traditional military "targets" any base or operation that serves as a troop center or provides a strategic capability has to be near the top of the list.

But, in terms of a "terrorist" attack, I think they've settled on higher ROI targets (large, dense concentrations) and system shock (health care, financial targets, piplelines, ports, services).

They (whoever they are) would probably also look for symbols of identity that are as soft as possible.

[zenjenn]

Well, Charles just mentioned "enemies of the US", which wouldn't be limited to terrorists. I agree terrorists would be more likely to go after, say, Disneyland, than a military installation. Sick bastards like to kill as many innocent Americans as possible.