MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS May 23rd - 29th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, May 23, it was reported over the span of four action-packed days in the North Atlantic Ocean off Scotland’s west coast, from May 17 to 20, 2023, NATO Allied surface units accomplished a series of notable integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) successes while participating in exercise Formidable Shield 2023. Formidable Shield, Europe’s largest and most complex IAMD exercise, brings together ships, aircraft, and ground-based units from throughout the NATO Alliance. Over the course of three weeks, Allied personnel work together in a variety of IAMD scenarios, as they hone and enhance their individual and collective missile defense capabilities. On Wednesday, May 24, it was reported that the Pentagon is downplaying a Tuesday incident in which a Russian jet intercepted two U.S. bombers over the Baltic Sea, calling it “nothing significant.” The Russian Ministry of Defense announced earlier Tuesday it detected two air targets approaching the country’s border and sent up a Su-27 fighter to investigate.“The crew of the Russian fighter classified the air targets as two US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers and occupied the established air watch zone,” the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation said in a statement on Telegram. On Thursday, May 25, it was reported that the South Korean and U.S. militaries conducted large live-fire drills near the border with North Korea on Thursday, despite the North’s warning that it won’t tolerate what it calls an invasion rehearsal on its doorstep. The drills, the first of five rounds of live-fire exercises through mid-June, mark 70 years since the establishment of the military alliance between Seoul and Washington. North Korea typically reacts to such major South Korean-U.S. exercises with missile and other weapons tests. Also on Thursday, it was reported that Iran tested a new ballistic missile. The projectile is powered by liquid fuel and is able to carry a 1,500 kg warhead. The missile, called Kheibar, was unveiled on the 41st anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr. It has an extended range, advanced guidance and control system. Such projectiles, classified among the Khorramshahr missiles, have an impressive strategic and tactical capabilities. They are known for their unique guidance and control system during the mid-flight phase. Upon entry into the atmosphere the missile deactivates its guidance system, providing it with a complete immunity against electronic warfare attacks. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Cruise Missile Defense Homeland Israel "We are on a great panel today, very excited about Israel, homeland Israel, my first opportunity to be in Israel was back in 1984 after I finished my rookie year playing the Redskins and came over and stayed in a kibbutz about 10 miles south of the Lebanon border, and there was conflict during that time..." Click here to read more. Why Guam? "Following up on our virtual roundtable The Missile Defense “Must Do” List for the FY-24 NDAA where we discussed Guam, we were interviewed from Guam by K57 guest co-host Ginger Cruz on live radio to talk about missile defense policy on Guam. Here are some excerpts from the discussion this morning on why we are defending Guam..." 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 First Lieutenant Robert Hughes 1LT Hughes was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Eileen Giles and Charles Hughes where he remained until the age of 24. Joining the Idaho National Guard in 2002 he attended Basic at Ft Sill Oklahoma and 88M Motor transport AIT at Ft Bliss Texas. In 2005 1LT Hughes served a tour in Iraq with the 1/148th FA where he was awarded the Combat Action Badge. 1LT Hughes has an Associate’s degree in General Education from American Military University and is completing his Bachelor’s. After serving as an NCO for 17 years most of which as an AGR with the 49th Missile Defense BN, Alaska Army National Guard. He was looking for a new experience direction to his career. He then chose to attend Officer Candidate School at Ft. Meade, South Dakota in 2019. He will be returned to the 49th Missile Defense BN after completing 14A BOLC to be a Missile Defense Crew, as a Sensor Operator, and now currently serves as the Battalion S6 OIC. 1LT Hughes and his wife Sabrina have been married for 14 years and have 4 beautiful kids ages 13, 11, 8, and 4. We love to be outside and go camping and four wheeling Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Domestic air defense system to roll out soon - Hurriet Daily News - 05/23/2023 United States approves $285 million sale of NASAMS air defense system, equipment to Ukraine - Firstpost - 05/25/2023 Patriot Missile Success in Ukraine Has Shocked Even the Pentagon - Newsweek - 05/25/2023 Germany to move Slovakia-based Patriot system to Lithuania to protect NATO summit - Reuters - 05/26/2023 THREAT NEWS China rapidly boosting naval capabilities: expert - Taiwan Times - 05/23/2023 Russia's fearsome S-400 air-defense missiles are getting unexpected missions as Moscow struggles in Ukraine - Business Insider - 05/25/2023 Iran has a direct route to send Russia weapons – and Western powers can do little to stop the shipments - CNN - 05/25/2023 OTHER NEWS Lithuania's defense minister on nuclear threats from Belarus and NATO summit expectations - Breaking Defense - 05/23/2023 U.S. says Chinese hackers breached gear in Guam, key to Pacific defense. The Washington Post - 05/24/2023 Canadian Defense Ministry announces new military aid package for Ukraine - The Kyiv Independent - 05/26/2023 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!