November 7, 2007 – Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) today commended the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy for achieving a new milestone in the Aegis Missile Defense Program.  For the first time, the crew of an Aegis destroyer successfully engaged and destroyed two separate ballistic missiles simultaneously.

“Not only does today’s successful test strengthen our partnership with our friends in Japan since they participated in the flight test and will be carrying out a similar test next month, it was also another great milestone in our commitment to building a global missile defense system capable of defending America and other freedom-loving nations. This success for the Aegis program comes in the wake of successful testing for THADD, the Airborne Laser, and Ground-based Midcourse Defense. Once again the great minds and talent, both within the defense industry and our Armed Services, have continued to prove that missile defense is worth the investment.”