Long before al-Zarqawi became a household name in America, the U.S. Air Force was developing specialized ways to attack terrorists and their infrastructure. High-tech bombs with precision pinpoint accuracy are developed and tested at the Air Force's main armament center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

Lt. Col. Ken Plaks Lt. Col. Ken Plaks, son of Harvey Plaks of Moorpark, understands the importance of advanced technology in fighting terrorists.

"I command a 330-personstrong squadron, bringing robust command and control to the war fighters with computers, communications, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance systems and defensive electronic systems," said Plaks. "I am responsible for training and leading the unit as we deliver war-winning technology to our combat forces."

The bombs that recently killed terrorist Abu Musab alZarqawi in Iraq and the technology behind the bombs were fielded at the center first. F-16 and F-15 fighter airplanes drop bombs onto exact targets with the help of laser guidance or internal smart-bomb navigation assisted by Global Positioning Systems, the same system automakers install in many vehicles today.

Much of this precision bomb technology is designed not only for accuracy, but also for reducing collateral damage and excessive loss of life.

"Our challenge is to bring our firepower in a timely enough fashion to achieve our objectives-that's where our weapon systems come in. As we try to do things faster, and more precise, with less collateral damage, one of our newest bombs becomes more critical. It has to be robust and dependable so that deployed war fighters can rely on it every time. We make that happen. We also put defensive counter measures on our aircraft to enhance their survivability," Plaks said.

Plaks enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from Moorpark High School in 1983 and was stationed in West Germany. He was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. After academy graduation in 1989 he studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a physics degree. Plaks is also an alumnus of U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.