MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS May 9th - 15th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, May 9, it was reported that the Pentagon is taking the first steps to provide Guam with a persistent, 360-degree missile defense system against Chinese and North Korean attack, according to Missile Defense Agency director Vice Adm. Jon Hill who told a Senate panel Tuesday. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee, Hill said environmental assessments of a dozen or so sites selected by the agency and the Army are underway. Also on Tuesday, the US confirmed that the Ukrainian military shot down the Russian Kinzhal missile using the Patriot air defense system. Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said “I can confirm that they did down a Russian missile by employing the Patriot missile defense system,” and “As you know, that system is part of a broader range of air defense capabilities that the United States and the international community have provided to Ukraine.” On Wednesday, May 10, U.S. Sixth Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) issued a press release on exercise Formidable Shield 2023 in the High North and North Atlantic Ocean, which started on May 8, 2023. From May 8 to 26, exercise Formidable Shield demonstrates Allied interoperability in a live-fire joint and combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) environment, using NATO command and control structures. Thirteen NATO and Partner nations, more than 20 ships and 35 aircraft, eight ground units consisting of radars, National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and approximately 4,000 personnel from across the Alliance are training alongside. On Thursday, May 11, it was reported that a Chinese naval flotilla led by a powerful destroyer has been on a 12-day circumnavigation of Japan’s main islands in a display of military power as tensions simmer over Taiwan and as Japan prepares to host G7 leaders next week. Japan’s Defense Ministry on Thursday released a map showing the Type 055 guided missile destroyer Lhasa, one of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s most powerful warships, leading a four-ship flotilla that also included a smaller destroyer, a frigate, and a supply ship on the clockwise circumnavigation. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS First and Foremost is the Defense against Hypersonic Missiles Earlier this week on May 9th, 2023, the four men most responsible for US Homeland missile defense, Dr. John F. Plumb, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, General Glen D. VanHerck... 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 Mackay Kim SGT Kim enlisted into the Alaska Army National Guard in 2014 as a Military Police Officer (31B). During his junior year of high school, he initiated his military career, attending Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and completed his Advanced Individual Training following graduation. SGT Kim’s first assignment was with the 297th Military Police Company, located in Wasilla, Alaska. He attended Khan Quest 2016, participating in a multi-national peace keeping operation. His role during Khan Quest was instrumental to the success of the training exercise and contributed greatly to further establish Partner Nation Relations. He played a crucial role during the January 2017 security mission in Washington D.C., where he provided security during the 58th Presidential Inauguration. In May 2017, while serving as a Team Leader, for a force protection mission on JBER. He safeguarded and ensured the protection and well-being for over 1,000 Military and Civilian personnel, to include the Chief of Staff and The Adjutant General. SGT Kim became an AGR Soldier in January of 2020 at Fort Greely, Alaska where he was assigned as a Military Police Officer for the MP GBI Security Company (A Co). In March 2021, SGT Kim was part of the first Stateside Team to positively identify and engage a drone violating Federal Air Space in US Army History. Mackay further represented the Company by attending the TAG Match in May 2021 and winning the overall championship as part of the marksmanship team. This led to his selection to participate in the MAC VI regionals and Winston P. Wilson Nationals. July 2021, he assisted in the training of over 90 Soldiers, which contributed to the success of the Brigade exercise evaluations, “Guardian Strike 21.” This enabled A Co. to achieve a “T” rating. SGT Kim attended the 2022 TAG Match, winning the championship for a second time and once again represented the State at the MAC VI Regionals. Between 2020 and 2022 Sergeant Kim received four Army Achievement Medals and the Governor’s Twenty Award, cementing his contribution to the 49th Missile Defense Battalion. SGT Kim is married to his beautiful wife, Luz, and permanently resides in Delta Junction with their two daughters Yashlee and Nova. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Discussion continues over possible missile defense site on Fort Drum - Spectrum News 1 - 05/09/2023 Pentagon confirms Ukraine downed Russian missile with Patriot system - The Hill - 05/09/2023 NORAD Boss: Over the Horizon Radar 'Not the End-All, Be-All' For Defending Homeland - Air and Space Forces Magazine - 05/10/2023 Congressional concern re-emerges on fate of MDA's hypersonic missile tracking sensors - Breaking Defense - 05/11/2023 Israel's David's Sling Air Defense System Makes First Operational Intercept - The Defense Post - 05/12/2023 THREAT NEWS Iran may produce Shahed drones for Russia in Belarus - report - The Jerusalem Post - 05/10/2023 Chinese warships sail around Japan as tensions rise ahead of G7 summit - CNN - 05/11/2023 NATO Has a Russian Submarine Problem - Newsweek - 05/13/2023 OTHER NEWS Australian budget: Historic defense spending, plus AU$1.2B on US-made missiles - Breaking Defense - 05/09/2023 Permanent fighter force for Kadena still an option: Air Force general - Defense News - 05/10/2023 Moscow: Near-Defenseless Against Drones - CEPA - 05/12/2023 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!