MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS August 15th - 21st, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Monday, August 15, it was reported that U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio may agree on a missile defense plan during Kishida’s visit to the U.S. that begins on Thursday, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. Cooperation on hypersonic missile defense is a natural progression for the two allies, Riki Ellison, chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, based in Virginia, said by email Monday. The alliance lobbies for missile defense, deployment and development. “Japan already builds the SM3 Block IIA (missile) with the United States in partnership and the defense against hypersonic glide will be launched off the SM3 Block IIA stages,” he said. On Thursday, August 17, it was reported that Army Maj. Gen. Brian Gibson, head of a missile defense command in Hawaii where Indo-Pacific Command is located, said the strategic Pacific island is considered part of the U.S. homeland that must be defended from the alarming buildup of military forces by China. “The PRC is trying to continue to impose their will throughout the [U.S. military area of responsibility] on things they believe they lay claim to,” Gen. Gibson said, using the acronym for People’s Republic of China during an online conference. “The activities and the growth of the PRC alone – my words – remain shocking,” he added. The conference was hosted by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Also on Thursday, Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced that the US has approved the sale of the Arrow 3 air defense system to Germany. The final process in the procurement is expected to take place by November, according to statements from Israel’s Ministry of Defense. Arrow, which is used to defeat exo-atmospheric threats such as ballistic missiles, is expected to have an initial operational capability by 2025 for Germany and be fully operational by 2030. On Friday, August 18, it was reported that Founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, Riki Ellison, said building up Guam's defence capability was crucial for promoting regional peace. "It's not just the US's problem here. You know, it is Australia, it is Japan, it is the other countries in the Pacific," he said. Mr Ellison said the multi-layered approach would be "the first of its kind". "That architecture can be prototyped [for] other islands and other places in the Pacific … so I think this is a great movement to deter a war," he said. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Missile Defense of Guam - no time to waste, no time to lose "Good afternoon from Alexandria, Virginia. Nice August summer day. Aloha, Hafa Adai. I’m Riki Ellison, I’m the founder and chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. We have been founded for 20 years, always fun with the Oppenheimer movie..." 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 Sergeant First Class Patrick Sharp  Sergeant First Class Patrick Sharp’s military career began in June of 2009 when he enlisted in the Florida Army National Guard as a 14J, Air Defense C4I Tactical Operations Center Enhanced Operator / Maintainer. SFC Sharp has served as a team chief, a Sentinel Section Sergeant, Sentinel Platoon Sergeant, Air Defense Instructor, Air Defense Course Manager, Air Defense Deputy Branch Manager, ADA School Quality Assurance NCO, and The ADA Subject Matter Expert for National Guard Bureau TRI Team. SFC Sharp has mobilized under Operation Enduring Freedom supporting the National Capital Region mission as a Tactical Control Assistant for the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) in 2010. Again in 2012 he also mobilized in support of the NCR-IADS mission supporting the Minimum Deployment Package (MDP) who is tasked with supporting the office of the President of the United States SFC Sharp has completed Senior Leaders Course and was selected as the honor graduate of SLC class 301-17. He has also successfully completed the Army Space Cadre Basic Course, Mission Command Digital Master Gunner Course, and the Air Defense Airspace Management / Brigade Aviation Element Course. SFC Sharp holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University. SFC Sharp is nominated for the DOY award because he has been an integral part to the continued success of 1st Battalion, 211 Regiment as an instructor, course developer, quality assurance NCO, leader, and mentor for the Regional Training Institute (RTI), Florida Army National Guard (FLARNG). SFC Sharp’s scope of influence is not limited to those in his chain of command. He is known to develop and guide other Soldiers from adjacent FLARNG units to include individuals from external organizations. For all intents and purposes, SFC Patrick Sharp IS a FLARNG ADA SME. His dedication and commitment to excellence as a Non-commissioned Officer within the Air Defense community as well his service to his unit, is second to none. He is of the highest character and a quiet professional whose dedication to service and commitment to excellence has no equal. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 U.S. Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS US, Japan are natural partners in hypersonic missile defense, experts say - Stars and Stripes - 08/15/2023 General: China military threats drive missile defense buildup on Guam - The Washington Times - 08/17/2023 Concerns over 360-degree missile defence system planned to protect Guam - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - 08/18/2023 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Powerful New Hypersonic Missile Interceptor to be Developed by the U.S. and Japan - The Debrief - 08/15/2023 Ukraine Receives New Air Defense Systems From Berlin - The Defense Post - 08/17/2023 Laser weapons ‘finally’ seeing ‘real progress,’ Missile Defense Agency official says - Breaking Defense - 08/17/2023 THREAT NEWS Why Russian Missiles Are Becoming Harder To Intercept - Newsweek - 08/15/2023 Kim leads missile test as South Korea-U.S. military drills begin - The Japan Times - 08/21/2023 OTHER NEWS US asks Iran to stop selling drones to Russia-FT - Reuters - 08/16/2023 US, Japan, South Korea Agree to Shared Missile Warning by End of 2023, Annual Exercises - Air and Space Forces Magazine - 08/18/2023 South Korea, India rebuke Beijing over South China Sea claims - Nikkei Asia - 08/21/2023 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!