MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS June 20th - 26th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday June 20, it was reported that Ukrainian air defenses downed 32 of 35 Shahed exploding drones Russia launched early Tuesday, most of them in the Kyiv region, officials said, in a bombardment that exposed gaps in the country’s air protection after almost 16 months of war. Russian forces mostly targeted the region around the Ukrainian capital in a nighttime drone attack lasting around three hours, officials said, with Ukrainian air defenses shooting down about a dozen of them. On Wednesday, June 21, it was reported per the GAO report, the Space Force still has a ways to go in cross-service coordination and communication, and "could improve the strategic understanding of missile defense readiness by regularly communicating available readiness data." So, at what point do enough yellow lights amount to a red light? Riki Ellison, chairman and founder at Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, feels that the system itself needs an overhaul. "We have a problem with roles and responsibilities with integrated missile defense," said Ellison during a phone interview. "It's been OK for checking North Korea and Iran. But when it comes to keeping our soldiers and citizens safe from a near-peer enemy such as China or Russia, our system is inadequate." Also on Wednesday, it was reported that a South Korean environmental impact assessment of a U.S. missile defence system found "insignificant" electromagnetic radiation relative to safety standards, the defence ministry said on Wednesday, clearing the way for its permanent deployment. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system installed in South Korea in 2017 generated a maximum level of electromagnetic radiation below 0.2% of the safety standards, the ministry said. China and some residents had complained about its placement in the southeastern air base of Seongju. On Thursday June 22, it was reported that the U.S. must focus on detecting and tracking potential air and missile threats to the homeland even before they launch, said Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, head of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. VanHerck said changing that means homeland defense to “look vastly differently than it does today.” Understanding the threats to homeland defense took on greater urgency earlier this year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was discovered traversing U.S. and Canadian airspace. VanHerck acknowledged that multiple balloons had slipped past NORAD undetected in recent years. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS "Unprecedented Demonstration of Cutting Edge Capability and Capacity" "In January 1958, the U.S. Army launched the first successful satellite Explorer 1 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This revolutionary event established the requirement of a much-needed test range to support future aerial, missile, and space experimentation. This week the army celebrates its 248th birthday and continues to break barriers and lead the way in space and missile defense..." 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 Kenneth McCoy 1LT McCoy is a native of Anchorage, Alaska. He enlisted in 2015 completing Military Police One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Upon graduating OSUT, he was assigned to the 297th Military Police Company. 1LT McCoy earned his commission through the University of Alaska, Anchorage ROTC in May 2018. Upon graduation he attended Military Police Basic Officer Leader Course in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In 2019, 1LT McCoy was forward deployed to Camp Buehring Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield (OSS) as a Platoon Leader and Installation Provost Marshall for 297th Military Police Company and Area Support Group – Kuwait (ASG-KU). The Following year in 2020, 1LT McCoy deployed again as the Forward Operating Site OIC – Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR). In 2021, 1LT McCoy served as the Alaska Joint Operation Center (JOC) Battle Captain. In 2022, he accepted a position as a Sensor Operator in the Fire Direction Center (FDC) for Higher Headquarters Battery (HHB), 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Fort Greely, AK, where he currently serves and maintains a dual certification status as a Sensor Operator and Deputy Director for Delta Crew. 1LT McCoy’s prior assignments include: 297th Military Police Company Platoon Leader, Camp Buehring, KU; Forward Operating Site OIC – Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, HHC, 297th Regional Support Group; Joint Operation Center Battle Captain, JFHQ, JBER, AK; Sensor Operator, HHB, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Fort Greely, AK. His military education/courses include: Military Police Basic Officer Leaders Course, Air Assault School, Unit Movement Office Course, Ground-based Midcourse Defense Qualification Course, Air Defense Artillery Transition Course. He Baccalaureate degree in Justice from University of Alaska, Anchorage. His awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon. Overseas Service Ribbon (2) Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device (2), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal and Alaska Domestic Emergency Ribbon. He also is awarded Army Air Assault Wings. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS No Air Conditioning, Parts Stashed in Tents: Report Dings US Missile Defense - Military.com - 06/22/2023 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Macron urges Europe to build own air defense, not rely on US-Israeli system - The Times of Israel - 06/20/2023 S. Korea completes environmental assessment of US THAAD missile defense base - The Korea Herold - 06/21/2023 BARAK MX: The vanguard in air and missile defense - Breaking Defense - 06/23/2023 THREAT NEWS First hypersonic missile range may be extended to 2,000 km: IRGC - The Tehran Times - 06/23/2023 N. Korea warns Korean Peninsula close to 'brink of nuclear war' - Yonhap News Agency - 06/26/2023 Russian Air Defense System Spectacularly Fails Storm Shadow Test - Newsweek - 06/26/2023 OTHER NEWS Japan Funds Indigenous Ship-Killing Missile Project - The Defense Post - 06/20/2023 Rafael announces new, 6th Gen air-to-air missile ‘Sky Spear’ - Breaking Defense - 06/21/2023 US Coast Guard ship transits Taiwan Strait after Blinken's trip to China - CNN - 06/22/2023 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!