Md. Missile Launching System Supporting Fight Against ISIS

MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (WJZ) — A six-story high launching system in Maryland is providing support in the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

Alex DeMetrick explains.

ISIS fighters who claimed strongholds in Iraq and Syria use that territory to launch attacks, like the ones in Europe.

"What we need to do right now is go to the core of where ISIS is, where they're training," said Maryland Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger.

And this is one way the U.S. military has been going at that core. Cruise missile attacks are part of the air campaign against ISIS in Syria.

The launch system for those missiles is six stories tall and is built by Lockheed Martin in its Maryland plant in Middle River.

On Thursday, the company announced the Navy has ordered more of the launch systems. It's only a coincidence it follows the attack on Brussels, and a pledge by the president.

"We can and we will defeat those who threaten the safety and security of people all around the world," said President Obama.

Heavy fire power like this missile system is only part of the U.S. strategy.

On the ground, more U.S. special forces trainers will embed with Iraqi army forces.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has briefed some members of Congress on how it keeps Iraqis in the fight.

"Sometimes if it gets tough, they run. If United States soldiers are there, our special ops are there, they don't run. So it's effective, it's working right now," said Rep. Ruppersberger.

That's led to the seizure of ISIS documents, including the names of fighters. And just this month, the air campaign took the life of a high ranking ISIS leader.

"Our military and our intelligence are working 24-hours a day, 7 days a week," said Ruppersberger.