MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS June 27th - July 3rd, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Wednesday June 28, it was reported that Lithuania has bought two Norwegian-made NASAMS air defense launchers for Ukraine and will deliver them within three months, the government said Wednesday. The announcement came as President Gitanas Nauseda arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday for talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. “The NASAMS launchers will reach Ukraine in the near future,” Nauseda said on Facebook. On Thursday, June 29, it was reported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out supplying Ukraine with the Iron Dome missile defense system, reiterating Israel’s concern that the vital technology could fall into the hands of Iran. Netanyahu was asked during an interview with The Wall Street Journal published Wednesday about Israel’s support for Ukraine, and how it is balanced with Jerusalem’s need to maintain its ties with Moscow amid the ongoing Russian invasion of its neighbor. Also on Thursday, it was reported that although North Korea is seen as posing the greatest threat to South Korea now, Bennett said China is more likely to be "the principal opponent" of South Korea in 10 years. Riki Ellison, founder and chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, said in an email to VOA Korean, "China will always be upset with anything missile defense related no matter if it's the THAAD or other systems deployed near its borders that would be seen to be an offset to China's superiority in capacity of its rocket and missile forces no matter how small the numbers are." He continued, "If China wants to get rid of the THAAD in Korea, then China has to [persuade Pyongyang] to get rid of or significantly reduce North Korea's rocket and missile forces facing South Korea." On Friday June 30, it was reported that South Korea's Air Force is set to open an upgraded missile defense operations center in a city just south of Seoul, officials said, in yet another move to strengthen the nation's anti-missile shield against growing North Korean threats. The KAMD Operations Center will open in Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, some 60 kilometers south of Seoul, following a capability upgrade designed to respond "more swiftly and effectively" to ballistic missile threats, according to the Air Force. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Not In This Pacific Century "The Pacific Century is upon us where the future of the free world will be decided and acted upon across the shores of the Pacific. United States Secretary of State Blinken’s recent diplomatic mission to China underscored the strategic importance, fragility and potential volatility of the Indo-Pacific to US national security interests..." 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 Taylor Parsons 1LT Parsons received the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Scholarship and attended Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania to begin her military career. After completing the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) in the summer between her junior and senior year, her Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Physiology and commissioning into the United States Reserves, 1LT Parsons immediately began the Medical Services Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Upon completion of BOLC, 1LT Parsons arrived at her reserve unit located in Fairview, Pennsylvania and was assigned as a Platoon Leader at the 329th Medical Company (Ground Ambulance). 1LT Parsons successfully led her platoon through three Combat Support Training Exercises (CSTX) at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, receiving a T - level rating in each. 1LT Parsons entered the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program in September of 2019 with the 49th Missile Defense Battalion in Fort Greely, Alaska. En route to her new unit, 1LT Parsons attended and graduated from the Ground Based Mid - Course Defense Fire Control Operator Qualification Course (GQC) at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Upon arrival at Fort Greely, 1LT Parsons served as a Sensor Operator on Bravo Crew. She quickly advanced her career and qualified as a Deputy Director on Delta Crew. 1LT Parsons now resides in Huntsville, Alabama and serves as a Technical Engineer within the GMD Mission with DESE Research, Inc. 1LT Parsons’ military education includes: Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), Medical Services Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC), Ground Based Midcourse Defense Fire Control Operator Qualification Course (GQC), Air Defense Artillery Officer Transition Course, and Introduction to Space. Her awards include: Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Basic Space Badge. 1LT Parsons completed a Master’s Degree in Global Supply Chain Management in May of 2022 from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She is happily married to her wife, Taylor, and has two dogs: Sarge and Wrigley. She enjoys fishing, hiking, and spending all the time she can with her family and friends. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS China's Waning Leverage Over SKorea Lessens Chances of Retaliation Against THAAD, Experts Say - VOA News - 06/29/2023 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Iran asks Iraqi Kurds to clarify agreement for US missile defense - The Cradle Co - 06/28/2023 Lockheed Delivers Aegis Combat Software for New US Navy Frigate - The Defense Post - 06/28/2023 US State Dept. clears $15B sale of missile defense system for Poland - Defense News - 06/29/2023 THREAT NEWS New images show suspected Chinese spy balloons over Japan and Taiwan - Independent - 06/27/2023 Russia and China hold talks anti-missile defence, Russian Foreign Ministry says - Reuters - 06/27/2023 Iran Army aims to produce long-range military equipment - Mehr News Agency - 06/29/2023 OTHER NEWS US Navy Commissioned Its 70th Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer, USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120) - Naval News - 06/27/2023 Japan, Australia Drill Together in South China Sea for Trident Exercise - USNI News - 06/27/2023 Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Jack H. Lucas - U.S. Navy - 06/29/2023 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!