Gulf of Mexico (Nov. 14, 2005) � The Sea Based X-Band Radar (SBX) is slowly loaded onto the heavy lift vessel MV Blue Marlin as the ship semi-submerges in the Gulf of Mexico. SBX will provide missile tracking, discrimination and hit assessment functions to the Ground-based Midcourse Defense element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. It will support interceptor missiles located in Alaska and California if required to defend against a limited long-range missile attack on the United States. Home-ported in Adak, Alaska, the SBX can move throughout the Pacific Ocean in support of advanced missile defense testing and defensive operations. U.S. Department of Defense photo