Destroyers on Station

Two U.S. Navy destroyers,USS John S. McCain(DDG56) and USS Chafee(DDG90),are believed to be sailing near North Korea in order to monitor a supposed satellite launch by the dictatorship.The destroyers joined warships from South Korea and Japan on similar missions.All the ships are able to track and shoot down ballistic missiles.U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the U.S. has no plans to intercept the North Korean launch,which is expected between 4 and 8 April,unless the missile goes off course and threatens Hawaii or something like that.Japan said it will fire at the missile only if it appears debris will hit Japan.The McCain and Chafee left the port of Busan,South Korea,where they had berthed following exercises with the South Korean navy.A U.S. Navy spokesman declined to reveal their destination.Both destroyers were built by General Dynamics.