MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS May 30th - June 5th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, May 30, it was reported that Taiwan has received the first batch of FIM-92 Stinger air defense missiles from the US as part of a $500 million military aid package. The weapons arrived at Taoyuan International Airport late last week on a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft. According to a report by Taipei Times, the Stinger missiles were supposed to be delivered at an earlier date, but the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has delayed the process. The air defense weapons are reportedly in the handheld portable configuration. On Wednesday, May 31, US Space Command announced that it will take over responsibility for missile defense operations from US Strategic Command, as a result of President Joe Biden’s approval of an update to the Unified Command Plan (UCP) that delineates military command roles. “This transfer is the culmination of a comprehensive study on the roles, responsibilities and authorities associated with the Missile Defense enterprise and represents an alignment to the 2022 Missile Defense Review,” said Army Gen. James Dickinson, SPACECOM commander. Also on Wednesday, it was reported that Air Force Maj. Gen. Heath Collins will pin on a third star and become the Missile Defense Agency’s next director, according to the Pentagon’s general officer announcement on May 31. Collins will replace Vice Adm. Jon Hill, who has served as director since 2019. The Air Force general is currently the MDA’s program executive officer for Ground-Based Weapons Systems at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Within that $3.4 billion portfolio, Collins manages the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System, consisting of interceptors in the ground at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, designed to intercept potential intercontinental ballistic missiles from North Korea and Iran. Also on Thursday, it was reported that the Israeli military and the U.S. Army are taking steps to tie the Army’s two Iron Dome batteries into the service’s missile defense program of record, potentially moving the Israeli equipment away from its current status as a one-off gap filler in the U.S. inventory, according to officials from both countries. The Army bought two Iron Dome batteries from Israel in order to fill a gap in cruise missile defense as it develops its own indirect fire protection capability, but has stressed it won’t buy more of the stand-alone systems, partly because the Israeli government has been unwilling to turn over its proprietary source code. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS A Man of Deep Integrity and Compassion "Last Thursday, the United States President Joseph Biden formally announced General Charles Q. “CQ” Brown, current Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, as his nominee to replace General Mark Milley as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest ranking officer and lead military advisor to the President..." 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 Major Jorge Lorenzana 2006 after completing Basic Training and OCS at Fort Benning, GA. After completing IOBC in 2007, MAJ Lorenzana was assigned to Ft. Drum, NY where he served as Platoon Leader, Mortar Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Detachment Commander, and BN S1 for 1-32 IN. While serving as XO, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan. In 2011, MAJ Lorenzana was assigned to Fort Hood, TX. He served as a Plans Officer for 2ABCT and 1-5 CAV while deployed to Iraq. Upon return from Iraq, MAJ Lorenzana was selected to command A/1-5 CAV. While in command, MAJ Lorenzana deployed to Afghanistan. After command, he served as an Observer, Coach/Trainer with 1st Army Division West. MAJ Lorenzana completed Resident ILE at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) in 2017 and was assigned to 1-25 SBCT at Fort Wainwright, AK. While at Fort Wainwright, he served as Operations Officer and Executive Officer for 3-21 IN completing a training deployment to Thailand and Japan. In 2019, MAJ Lorenzana transitioned to the AK National Guard and entered the AGR program. He served as Senior Tactical Director with the 49th Missile Defense Battalion before assuming his current assignment as Battalion S3. MAJ Lorenzana’s military education includes: Air Defense Artillery Officer Reclassification Course, Space Operations Qualification Course, GFC Qualification Course, Command and General Staff Officer Course (ILE), Bradley Leader’s Course, Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, Airborne School, Infantry Mortars Leader’s Course, Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Basic Officer’s Leadership Curse, and Officer Candidate School. He holds a Master’s Degree in Christian Ministry from Liberty University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from The University of West Florida. His awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (5), Army Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (2), Afghanistan Campaign Medal- 2 Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal-1 Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Space Badge, and Airborne Badge. MAJ Lorenzana is married to Amber and has two daughters, Alexandra and Kristina. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS South Korea Concludes Trials of Indigenous Missile Defense System - The Defense Post - 05/30/2023 Israel’s missile defence system leads the defence market - Army Technology - 05/31/2023 S. Korea succeeds in L-SAM missile interception test for 3rd time - 06/01/2023 - Yonhap News Agency Northrop Completes Initial Design Review for Future Pacific US Missile Defense Ground Station - The Defense Post - 06/02/2023 THREAT NEWS Iran Claims Hypersonic Missile Passes Tests, To Soon Be Unveiled - Eurasia Review - 05/30/2023 North Korea satellite plunges in sea in 'rushed' failure, more launches expected - Reuters - 05/31/2023 Putin admits Moscow has room to 'work on' its air defenses after drone attacks hit civilian areas in the capital - Business Insider - 05/31/2023 OTHER NEWS South Korea, Australia agree to step up defence cooperation - Reuters - 05/30/2023 Japan, China to Resume Military Exchanges in July After 4 Years - The Diplomat - 05/31/2023 Japan, U.S. vow to enhance strike abilities amid North Korean threat - Kyodo News - 06/01/2023 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!