MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS July 4th - July 10th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, July 4, it was reported that Taiwan's Army held a drill in southern Pingtung County on Tuesday to train soldiers on firing Stinger missiles and test its troops' asymmetrical warfare capabilities. Called Shen Kung, or Mighty Bow exercise, the military drills were open to the media and involved troops from 11 Army units, including the 21st Artillery Command, the Kinmen and Penghu defense commands and the Marine Corps Air Defense Garrison Group. According to Lieutenant Colonel Chen Yu-wen (陳郁文), chief military instructor of the Army's Artillery Training Command, those participating in the drill had never fired Stinger missiles before and were there to get acclimated to the weapon system's operations. On Wednesday, July 5, it was reported that the EPPA is part of a NATO anti-missile system designed to protect the continent against short, medium, and intermediate-range missiles from Iran. In addition to the planned base in Redzikowo, the system also comprised the Aegis Ashore base in Deveselu, Romania, as well as an early-warning radar facility in Kurecik, Turkey, and a command center in Ramstein, Germany. The system is complemented by a maritime element of Aegis situated on a U.S. Navy destroyer stationed at the Rota base in Spain. The Redzikowo base will be composed of AN/SPY-1 radar, Mk 41 VLS launchers, and anti-ballistic SM-3 rockets. It is the final uncompleted element of the system. Riki Ellison, an expert at the US Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, said the Aegis Ashore system would deter a limited first strike, protecting Polish citizens and the country’s critical infrastructure. Also on Wednesday, it was reported that Switzerland plans to take part in a Europe-wide air defense project initiated in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, officials said Tuesday. The Alpine country is the second neutral nation after Austria to signal its intention to join the European Sky Shield Initiative launched by Germany last year. Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd and her Austrian counterpart will sign a memorandum of understanding at a meeting Friday in Bern with Germany’s Boris Pistorius. The European Sky Shield Initiative, or ESSI, was proposed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in August of last year as a means of bundling the continent’s efforts to defend against possible aircraft or missile attacks. On Thursday, July 6, China hosted two Russian warships that had earlier sailed past Taiwan and Japan, and the vessels are expected to hold a joint drill with the Chinese navy during their visit, demonstrating the enduring military cooperation between the two countries. The two frigates - Gromkiy and Sovershenniy - made port at the financial hub of Shanghai on Wednesday, Chinese state television reported. Both vessels belong to Russia's Pacific Fleet, headquartered in Vladivostok. The passage prompted Japan to dispatch vessels to monitor their movements while Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, deployed an aircraft and also ships to keep watch over their transit. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS It Is Time For a Fundamental Review "CNN brought national and world attention the demands on U.S. to Missile Defense assets – the existing challenges and continual growing demands and expectations on America’s front line of missile defense. The report detailed the strain placed on the Army’s air defense branch, operating “with almost 60% of its total force deployed at any one time” and described as “among the most overworked in the US military”. This is compared to over 85% of the active duty Armed Forces located within the United States and territories..." 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 Captain Justus Neumann CPT Neumann is a native of Hamden, Connecticut. He enlisted in 2011 as an Officer Candidate and went to Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Upon graduating BCT, he was assigned to the 1/169th (LDR) OCS in Niantic, Connecticut. CPT Neumann commissioned in 2013 through the Connecticut Army National Officer Candidate School (OCS) as a Military Police Officer. In 2015, CPT Neumann accepted a position as a Platoon Leader in A Company, 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Fort Greely, AK. In 2018, he transitioned to Higher Headquarters Battery (HHB), 49th Missile Defense Battalion where he was assigned as the Deputy Tactical Director for Bravo Crew. During his tenure as the Deputy Director, Bravo Crew was recognized as the 2018 Top Crew. In 2019, CPT Neumann transitioned to the Operations section where he worked as the Antiterrorism, Security, and Force Protection (ASFP) OIC. During the COVID Pandemic, CPT Neumann filled his role as the BN ASFP while simultaneously supporting the mission in the FDC, certifying as both a Deputy and Senior Tactical Director. In 2021, CPT Neumann became the Delta Crew Senior Tactical Director while fulfilling his BN ASFP duties. In 2022, he was assigned as the Assistant Operations Officer, which is his current primary role. CPT Neumann’s prior assignments include: Assistant Operations Officer, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Fort Greely, AK; Antiterrorism, Security, Force Protection OIC, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Fort Greely, AK; Deputy Tactical Director, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Fort Greely, AK; Executive Officer, A Company, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Fort Greely, AK; Platoon Leader, A Company, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Fort Greely, AK; Platoon Leader, 643rd Military Police Company (I/R), Westbrook, CT; Platoon Leader, 143rd Military Police Company (CS), West Hartford, CT. His military education/courses include: Air Defense Officer Reclassification Course, Conventional Physical Security and Crime Prevention, Introduction to Space, Ground-based Midcourse Defense Qualification Course, Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) Evaluator/Trainer Course, Military Police Captains Career Course, Special Reaction Team, Inter-service Nonlethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course, Anti-Terrorism Basic Officer Course, Cold Weather Leaders Course, Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) Instructor Course, and Military Police Basic Officer Leaders Course. He holds a Baccalaureate degree in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS Pentagon: Missile defense base in Northern Poland to be ready by year-end - TVP World - 07/05/2023 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Ukraine Hails U.S. Patriot's 'Record' Five Russian Aircraft Hits in One Day - Newsweek - 07/04/2023 French Navy Holds First-Ever At-Sea Anti-Drone Exercise - The Defense Post - 07/05/2023 To protect against Russian airstrikes, Ukraine's defenders 'shoot and scoot' - NPR - 07/06/2023 THREAT NEWS China hosts Russian warships that passed by Taiwan, Japan - Reuters - 07/06/2023 UK Defense Ministry: Russia to move cruise missile-carrying ships to Azov Sea - Yahoo News - 07/07/2023 OTHER NEWS North Korea satellite had 'no military utility,' South Korea says - Reuters - 07/05/2023 US has military options for Iran's nuclear threat, CENTCOM air force chief tells 'Post' - The Jerusalem Post - 07/07/2023 Russia says it's snagged the intact parts of a Storm Shadow missile, and can now study the British-made munition that's been devastating its operations in Ukraine from long range - Business Insider - 07/07/2023 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!