Crews won't install Vandenberg Air Force Base's first missile-defense interceptor today as planned because more time is needed to refine mission-support issues.

Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Danét, a Vandenberg spokeswoman, explained that officials wanted time to conduct a dry run to make sure the proper safety and security measures are in place.

Monday evening, military officials hadn't confirmed the next attempt for installing the first interceptor. Sources say the delay likely will last days, rather than weeks or months.

Even if they had tried today, a forecast for high wind and rain had put some uncertainty around the installation schedule. For safety reasons, crews can't lower the booster into its silo during high wind or heavy rain, authorities said.

The Missile Defense Agency expects two interceptors to be installed by year's end in recently refurbished silos on north Vandenberg.

They come on the heels of six others already positioned at Fort Greely, Alaska.

In late 2002, the Bush administration announced plans to place up to 16 interceptors in Alaska and as many as four at Vandenberg.

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The Ground-based Midcourse Defense segment is designed to protect the United States against limited long-ranch missile attack. Critics charge that the system won't work and will spark a global arms race.

* Associate Editor Janene Scully can be reached at 739-2214 or by e-mail at

janscully@pulitzer.net.

Dec. 7, 2004