Duncan Hunter was a Republican Congressman representing California's 52nd, 45th, and 42nd congressional districts from 1981 to 2009. He served as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee during the 108th and 109th Congresses.
A few days ago, when Iranian drones and missiles rained down on Israel, the onslaught was met by interceptor missiles, destroying most of the offensive systems in the air.
The defense system employed by Israel consisted of systems like the ‘Iron Dome’ and ‘Arrow’ missile defense systems. In simple terms, you need good radars, space assets and advanced missiles to shoot down incoming missiles out of the air.
All of this concerns my great colleague, former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Terry Everett.
Terry Everett was a man of common sense and extraordinary vision. When he became chairman of Strategy, he saw more than any other man that the missile era was upon us. He covered the whole system: space, missile technology, intelligence, surveillance.
“Shooting it down” is the key to survival in the missile age. Today, our ships are fielded with missile defense systems and also have land-based interceptors that provide limited defense against ICBMs.
There is a lot of work to be done. The work so far is due in large part to Terry Everett.
Terry was a great colleague — always loyal to his friends and fair to his adversaries — a fun guy to be around and with a sense of humor that transcended the politics of the moment.
His practical nature was legendary. Once, during a visit to his home, he showed me around his workshop. I asked him why there were bloodstains on the floor. “I cut myself,” he laughed. “I kept them as a reminder to be careful.”
He applied similar caution in his role as watchdog over America's nuclear arsenal.
If we trace Terry Everett's gentle and profound wisdom back to his hometown, we find his foundation: Barbara.
Thank you, Barbara, for sharing this great American with us.
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