# Have you heard of a plan to move San Diego, California to Alaska or this just a rumor? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 5, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214 "2013-06-05T15:37:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/81 "2013-06-06T16:56:56Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > The USAF has a project to launch a 3,500 mph rocket (hasn’t worked yet), but I’ll be glad when it is mass produced. Cite? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/82 "2013-06-06T16:57:48Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Kauai, Hawaii has AMM’s anti-missile missiles … I hope they work > > The USAF has a project to launch a 3,500 mph rocket (hasn’t worked yet), but I’ll be glad when it is mass produced. > > only a few more years till Russia and China won’t be the only enemy left to consider a first strike/sneak attack. > > The Pentagon has options to reduce the budget … at least consider a move and keep America strong at the same time. > > El Toro Marine Air Base is no longer open in Orange County and is now a regional airport is just one example Kodiak bears are really, really big, and no one yet knows or has said how they will adapt to moving to California. Personally, I think they will adapt fine, since there should be a lot more for them to eat in California. Plus, I’ve heard a rumor that the military is talking about building (or is already building) cyborg Kodiak bears for use against our future enemies who aren’t China or Russia. There are even rumors that it will have wings and cloven feet and perhaps use a fiery whip, though I’m not sure about that particular rumor. Regardless, it’s going to be a lot warmer in Alaska when they move it to California, dontcha think? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/83 "2013-06-06T17:01:44Z")
Bears won’t attack Russians anyway. They’re afraid of the hats. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/84 "2013-06-06T17:04:11Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Cite? Dropped from a B-52 > [@](#): > > PWSP2 : USAF Hypersonic Flight Test 8/15/12 Results | Power … > > [powerfromspace.blogspot.com/2012/08/pwsp2-usaf-hypersonic-flight](http://powerfromspace.blogspot.com/2012/08/pwsp2-usaf-hypersonic-flight)… > > Aug 20, 2012 · … the Air Force revealed. The … the WaveRider sped westward for about 143 seconds at 3,500 mph … It was then supposed to separate from the rocket ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/85 "2013-06-06T17:05:03Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > The Pentagon has options to reduce the budget … at least consider a move and keep America strong at the same time. > > El Toro Marine Air Base is no longer open in Orange County and is now a regional airport is just one example 😕 I thought the purpose was to save lives? How does moving the military out of the San Diego area (this has to include Miramar too, as a nuke dropped on that is going to have… unfortunate… effects on the city) to Alaska (or any place else that is remote from a population center) save the Pentagon money? Please remember that an extensive infrastructure will need to be built in said remote location, so include this in your cost analysis. Thank you. Very respectfully, **mlees**. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/86 "2013-06-06T17:14:50Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Dropped from a B-52 Please provide a proper link-I’d like to read it without your editing. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/87 "2013-06-06T17:18:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Please provide a proper link-I’d like to read it without your editing. Oh, [here](http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=17986). And here is a link on those [Kodiak bears](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodiak_bear) too, if you are interested. And one that shows, sort of, that [Balrogs have wings](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balrog). ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/88 "2013-06-06T17:25:18Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Kauai, Hawaii has AMM’s anti-missile missiles … I hope they work > > The USAF has a project to launch a 3,500 mph rocket (hasn’t worked yet), but I’ll be glad when it is mass produced. > > only a few more years till Russia and China won’t be the only enemy left to consider a first strike/sneak attack. > > The Pentagon has options to reduce the budget … at least consider a move and keep America strong at the same time. > > El Toro Marine Air Base is no longer open in Orange County and is now a regional airport is just one example The [X-51 Waverider](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-51) is a test bed for hypersonic flight not a missle to kill foriegners. Besides, the USAF already has hypersonic flying death - they’re called ICBMs Honestly tell me your posts are performance art. There are so many poorly structured arguments dripping with hysterical american paranoia they just have to be. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/89 "2013-06-06T17:25:55Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Oh, [here](http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=17986). And here is a link on those [Kodiak bears](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodiak_bear) too, if you are interested. And one that shows, sort of, that [Balrogs have wings](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balrog). That isn’t a non-working rocket that is designed to be mass produced. That’s a _working_ technology demonstrator, not a failed prototype for a weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/90 "2013-06-06T17:26:58Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > 😕 I thought the purpose was to save lives? > > How does moving the military out of the San Diego area (this has to include Miramar too, as a nuke dropped on that is going to have… unfortunate… effects on the city) to Alaska (or any place else that is remote from a population center) save the Pentagon money? > > Please remember that an extensive infrastructure will need to be built in said remote location, so include this in your cost analysis. > > Thank you. > > Very respectfully, **mlees**. Miramar is now a Marine Air Base with other Marine air bases close by or could be re-loated close by and to my best guess they have no nuclear strike back weapons, as Oceanside, California is also only forty miles from ground zero in San Diego Bay. but it is just a training base (un worthy of first strike/sneak attack) Leaves the Marine training base 29 Palms located in the desert and Yuma, Arizona on the border of California and again no threat. Long Beach stopped being a real naval base a long time ago leaving Seal Beach with only God knows what is stored there (I hope no WMD) Infastructure is a problem especially with the present budget … The bible says that a King does not plan to build without first making sure of his resources or everyone will make fun of him if the project fails. A private citizen just purchased an entire island in hawaii last year for only $500 million … > [@](#): > > Is Larry Ellison’s $500 Million Hawaiian Island The World’s Most … > > [www.forbes.com/sites/...ellison-hawaii-lanai-island-david-murdock-dole](http://www.forbes.com/sites/...ellison-hawaii-lanai-island-david-murdock-dole) > > Jun 21, 2012 · Now a $500 million Hawaiian island. … asking price at $500 million to $600 million. … you could take it way from him (just kidding) or pay him for the island and move the Naval base at San Diego to that island selling the property left behind to private developers to pay for the transfer and then keep the ships moving at sea like in an arcade, at least some will make it. san diego would just be the start of course … leaving no targets in one area could lead to no targets in another area. Portobello, Hawaii 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/91 "2013-06-06T17:27:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That isn’t a non-working rocket that is designed to be mass produced. That’s a _working_ technology demonstrator, not a failed prototype for a weapon. Well, yes…that’s a good summation. But the bear link was pretty cool, right? And I bet the Balrog link surprised and amused you as well. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/92 "2013-06-06T17:35:27Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > I love you Czarcasm, but you would’ve posted the same thing in June 1941 > > “Should we move the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor with all of it’s battleships to another location?” The problem was that we were taken by surprise, not the location of the base. Pearl Harbor’s strategic location was essential to the US war effort after the attack. Moving it to the US might have made the initial Japanese attack impossible, but by the same token would have greatly reduced the ability of the US to attack Japan’s territories. Without the base there, Japan could have simply have taken Hawaii with impunity. Without the base at Pearl Harbor, it would have taken the US much longer to win the war if it could have done so at all. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/93 "2013-06-06T17:38:40Z")
Also, battleships were obsolete by that time. Aircraft carriers were the means to project Allied force into the Pacific theater. There are few things sadder or less inevitable than an armchair strategist or desk-bound brass wanting to fight current enemies with the tactics of the last war. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/94 "2013-06-06T17:42:09Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Also, battleships were obsolete by that time. Aircraft carriers were the means to project Allied force into the Pacific theater. > There are few things sadder or less inevitable than an armchair strategist or desk-bound brass wanting to fight current enemies with the tactics of the last war. Nitpick…battleships were not obsolete by 1941. There were heavily used all throughout the war both as shore bombardment platforms and in regular naval orders of battle. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/95 "2013-06-06T17:47:23Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Miramar is now a Marine Air Base with other Marine air bases close by or could be re-loated close by and to my best guess they have no nuclear strike back weapons, as Oceanside, California is also only forty miles from ground zero in San Diego Bay. but it is just a training base (un worthy of first strike/sneak attack) No, I don’t agree with that last statement. Any hostile superpower is not going to limit it’s attacks to only bases with nuclear weapons stored on them, especially if it decides it needs to pull the nuclear trigger. BTW: Camp Pendleton in NOT just a “training base”. It’s also home to the 1st freekin’ Marine Division [cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Pendleton#Unit_locations_.28by_area.29), as well as ten U.S.M.C. helicopter squadrons. [cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Aircraft_Group_39) You could move Miramar stuff to Pendleton, I guess, if you throw enough money at the project. You would definately need to build more hanger space. You may need to extend it’s 6000ft runway to better accommodate fixed wing aircraft… Miramar and North Island have 8000ft/12000ft runways, but I’m not an aero-engineer. The next nearest “airbase” that Miramar could relocate to (not counting NAS North Island) is NAF El Centro, then MCAS Yuma. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/96 "2013-06-06T17:49:01Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > A private citizen just purchased an entire island in hawaii last year for only $500 million … > > you could take it way from him (just kidding) or pay him for the island and move the Naval base at San Diego to that island selling the property left behind to private developers to pay for the transfer and then keep the ships moving at sea like in an arcade, at least some will make it. Take a look at [this map](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=ellison+hawaii+island&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47534661,d.cGE&biw=1366&bih=624&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ei=DcuwUaitIIKpiALV44GQDg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg) and tell me where to park an aircraft carrier. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/97 "2013-06-06T18:10:22Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Take a look at [this map](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=ellison+hawaii+island&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47534661,d.cGE&biw=1366&bih=624&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ei=DcuwUaitIIKpiALV44GQDg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg) and tell me where to park an aircraft carrier. Hilo bay? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/98 "2013-06-06T18:17:06Z")
:smack: Stupid map. I meant to link to the one of Lanai, which has even fewer anchorages than the Big Island. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/99 "2013-06-06T18:23:06Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > No, I don’t agree with that last statement. Any hostile superpower is not going to limit it’s attacks to only bases with nuclear weapons stored on them, especially if it decides it needs to pull the nuclear trigger. > > BTW: Camp Pendleton in NOT just a “training base”. It’s also home to the 1st freekin’ Marine Division [cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Pendleton#Unit_locations_.28by_area.29), as well as ten U.S.M.C. helicopter squadrons. [cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Aircraft_Group_39) > > You could move Miramar stuff to Pendleton, I guess, if you throw enough money at the project. You would definately need to build more hanger space. You may need to extend it’s 6000ft runway to better accommodate fixed wing aircraft… Miramar and North Island have 8000ft/12000ft runways, but I’m not an aero-engineer. > > The next nearest “airbase” that Miramar could relocate to (not counting NAS North Island) is NAF El Centro, then MCAS Yuma. at least you fight fair … I forgot about El Centro, but isn’t Yuma just across the border. In the ten years it would take to do all of this surely the next two presidents could come up with a plan to take civilian targets off limts, but by then you have the 3rd world countries cruising our shores with submarine launched missiles inside. I still think a war room in Russia or China is mainly worried about the ability for America to strike back. PS I see what you mean Colibri but who’s option was it to stay out of the war in Europe and as a result of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor we entered into WWII? I shouldn’t go there, uh on who knew the Japanese navy was on the way and someone moved the carriers at the last moment? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214/100 "2013-06-06T18:28:20Z")
Civilian targets are always **on limits**. That’s the _point_ of weapons of **mass** destruction. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-a-plan-to-move-san-diego-california-to-alaska-or-this-just-a-rumor/660214.md?page=6)