MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS May 2nd - 8th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Thursday, May 4, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, said in a Telegram post on May 3 that a division of the IRIS-T air defense systems had destroyed more than 60 hostile air targets over Ukraine since October 2022, New Voice of Ukraine reported. He also subsequently shared a video showing the systems in action. Ukrainian officers and military experts also observed that the IRIS-T is a valuable asset as it can share information from its radar with “neighboring” air defense systems. This allows seamless air defense tracking to defuse enemy targets. On Friday, May 5, it was reported that a missile-defense system proposed for Guam is expected to be operational by 2027 and comprise up to 20 individual sites across the island to achieve 360-degree coverage, according to the Missile Defense Agency. New details about the project — the Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System — show 20 locations ranging from Guam’s northernmost coastline to the island’s relatively remote southern region, according to a fact sheet released by the agency on Friday. Also on Friday, it was reported that more than 20 warships, 35 aircraft and eight onshore units take part as 13 NATO Allied and partner nations on May 8 kicks off Formidable Shield, an exercise inside the Arctic Circle aimed at training air and missile defense. Russian long-range cruise missiles pose a big threat to Norway’s military infrastructure in the north. Last week, a government-appointed expert defense commission delivered its report, addressing the vulnerability against missiles in a scenario where Russia would activate its bastion defense to protect the ballistic missile submarines sailing out from the Kola Peninsula. On Saturday, May 6, it was reported that the downing of a Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile by a Patriot missile, confirmed by three senior U.S. officials, appeared to offer the first proof that Russia’s hypersonic missiles — presented as invulnerable by President Vladimir V. Putin — could be defeated by current Western missile defense systems. “I congratulate the Ukrainian people on a historic event,” Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of the Ukrainian air force, said in a statement posted on the Telegram messaging app. “Yes, we have shot down the ‘unparalleled’ ‘Kinzhal.’” Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Producing World Champions "MDAA is honored to announce the completion and graduation of our second Executive Program in Global Space and Deterrence Certificate Program, developed in partnership with the University of Southern California’s Sol Price School of Public Policy and Viterbi School of Engineering..." Click here to read more. TD by Patriot "President Biden reaffirms the United States’ ironclad alliance commitments to the Philippines, underscoring that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty..." Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Ukrainian War Updates Track the number and type of missiles used in the Ukrainian war, the number of casualties, and daily news highlights. Track updates on the conflict in Ukraine. Taiwan Incursion Updates Track the number and type of incursions in the Taiwan Strait, the number of missiles fired, aircraft crossing the ADIZ, and daily news highlights. Track updates on the tensions in the Taiwan Strait. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Sergeant Giovanny Flores SGT Flores enlisted in the Puerto Rico National Guard in September 2013 as an 11B Infantryman from Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. Upon competition from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia; he served six years in Bravo Co. 296th Infantry Battalion from September 2013 to July 2019, with the Puerto Rico Army National Guard. Sergeant Flores joined the Alaska Army National Guard in August of 2019. He is currently assigned to the 49th Missile Defense Battalion and serves as a Military Police Officer for Alpha Company. In July 2021, he was promoted to Sergeant as he displayed exceptional leadership qualities. SGT Flores’s military education includes: Combat Life Saver, Cold Weather Leadership Course, Basic Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders, Vindicator Command and Control Operator Course, Ground Surveillance Radar Operator Course, Drone Buster Operator Course, Corian System Training Course. SGT Flores holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science and Minor Degree in Psychology. His awards include: Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal (1), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Driver and Mechanic Badge-Wheeled Vehicle (1), and Puerto Rico National Guard English Language Proficiency Ribbon. During this period, he sought multiple training opportunities to further his military knowledge, while expanding his leadership skillset. These training opportunities include drills, joint readiness training center (JRTC), and annual training events to prepare for mobilizations and state activations. SGT Flores enjoys traveling and spending time with his family in the beautiful state of Alaska with his wife, Sheila Candelaria, and his son Jahfe (20) and daughter Nahgovy (19). Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS U.S. Sixth Fleet and STRIKFORNATO to kick off FORMIDABLE SHIELD 2023 - U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa - 05/02/2023 Report to Congress on Hypersonic Missile Defense - USNI News - 05/03/2023 U.S., Allies Patch Together Ukraine's Defenses Against Russian Warplanes, Missiles - Wall Street Journal - 05/05/2023 MBDA qualifies firing of new Medium Advanced Air Defence System with CAMM-ER missile - Army Recognition - 05/05/2023 THREAT NEWS Russian Missile Damaged MQ-9 Over Syria, US Reveals - Air and Space Forces Magazine - 05/04/2023 Russia hits Ukraine with huge barrage of Iranian-made drones - POLITICO - 05/08/2023 Russia attacks Ukraine with huge drone swarm ahead of Victory Day holiday - Reuters - 05/08/2023 OTHER NEWS NATO to open Japan office, deepening Indo-Pacific engagement - Nikkei Asia - 05/03/2023 US, Philippine troops fire air-defence missiles as part of annual joint exercises - South China Morning Post - 05/05/2023 Foreign Military Sale to the government of Latvia of Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System agreed - Ukrainian Military Center - 05/05/2023 Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!