USSTRATCOM Detects, Tracks North Korean Missile Launches

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. - U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) systems detected what we assess were two North Korean missile launches at 5:53 p.m. CDT, August 2, 2016. The simultaneous launch of two presumed No Dong medium-range ballistic missiles occurred near the western city of Hwangju.

Initial indications reveal one of the missiles exploded immediately after launch, while the second was tracked over North Korea and into the Sea of Japan.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined the missile launches from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.

The men and women of USSTRATCOM, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Pacific Command remain vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and are fully committed to working closely with our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies to maintain security.

USSTRATCOM's mission is to conduct global operations in synchronization with other combatant commands and appropriate U.S. government agencies to detect, deter and prevent strategic attacks against the U.S., its allies, and partners, and to be prepared to deliver warfighting capability to defend the nation.