MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS August 22nd - 28th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, August 22, it was reported that Iran’s Defense Ministry unveiled a drone on resembling America’s armed MQ-9 Reaper, claiming that the aircraft is capable of staying airborne for 24 hours and has the range to reach the country’s archenemy Israel. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency published a photograph of the drone, called the Mohajer-10, on display at a conference marking Defense Industry Day with what appeared to be smoke-machine fog underneath it. “Mohajer” means “immigrant” in Farsi and has been a drone line manufactured by the Islamic Republic since 1985. On Wednesday, August 23, it was reported that Lithuania will deliver the previously pledged NASAMS launchers to Ukraine in September, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said during his visit to Kyiv. "Today in Kyiv I told my dear friend President (Volodymyr Zelensky) that Lithuania will keep supporting Ukraine until victory," Nausėda wrote on the platform X (formerly known as Twitter). "Lithuania will deliver NASAMS launchers to Ukraine next month." On June 28, Nausėda announced that Lithuania has acquired two NASAMS launchers and will soon transfer them to Ukraine. The Lithuanian Defense Ministry said early in August that the launchers would be delivered "soon." Also on Wednesday, the U.S. Army has approved the Sentinel A4 radar program, critical to the service’s future air defense capability, to move into low-rate initial production, the program executive officer for missiles and space said. Now that the Lockheed Martin-developed Sentinel A4 is approved, with a total of 19 systems scheduled for delivery by fiscal 2025, the Army is preparing for an initial operational test and evaluation during the same time frame, Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano told Defense News in an Aug. 22 interview. On Thursday, August 24, North Korea said that its second attempt to launch a spy satellite failed again but vowed to make another attempt in October, demonstrating willingness to endure flops to acquire a key military asset coveted by leader Kim Jong Un. The failed launch prompted neighboring Japan to issue a brief "J-alert" ordering some residents to evacuate to safe places as the North Korean rocket flew over its southernmost islands of Okinawa to the Pacific Ocean. 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. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Master Sergeant William H. White ​​ MSgt White​ is ​Detachment Chief S5789, USAFE-AFAFRICA Director of Space Forces, Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany​. MSgt White serves as Chief of Academics and Senior Enlisted leader for the USAFE-AFAFRICA Warfare Center Combat Training School providing support to the European and African Integrated Air & Missile Defense community. As part of the United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Directorate of Space Forces, MSgt White was a key exercise planner integrating space effects into European Command’s priority exercise. Additionally, he was critical in obtaining key space support for a EUCOM Operational level exercise, which examines new defense designs and blue force laydowns for the air and missile defense of Europe. His efforts highlighted a previously unknown gap with the integration of the Space Component that was briefed to the USAFE-AFAFRICA Deputy Commander and ultimately improved the Air and Missile Defense posture in Europe. MSgt White has also served as the Senior Enlisted Leader and Chief of Academics for the USAFE-AFAFRICA Warfare Center’s Combat Training School. In this capacity, he is responsible for IAMD training for both EUCOM and AFRICOM. MSgt White supported a Combined US-NATO Mobile Training Team to Romania focusing on Patriot capabilities and air defense doctrine. His efforts were lauded by the Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff. Additionally, he is preparing to support an additional Mobile Training Team to Sweden in January. He also instructed IAMD lessons for 3 Inter-European Air Force Academy courses, 4 NATO School Oberammergau courses, and 1 NATO AIRCOM course. MSgt White is nominated for the European DOY because he led academics for 8 organizations for a 10 day Joint/NATO IAMD M&S exercise validating a new defense design and recommending ops SPINS updates for 2 current USEUCOM missions, thereby improving kill chain coordination and enhancing procedures between NATO and US forces. Additionally, his training informed Patriot crews, Navy Aegis personnel and joint C2 watchstanders on system capabilities and provided an overview of the operational missions in theater. His training contributed to the certification of 10 US Navy and Army personnel as Upper Tier and Upper Layer Coordination Officers providing EUCOM personnel who can deconflict Aegis and THAAD engagements something that hasn’t been done before in the European Mission. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 European Missile Defenders of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Meet the U.S. Army’s LIDS: A sure shot against drones - Breaking Defense - 08/22/2023 As US-Japan ramp up joint plan, MDA’s hypersonic interceptor development steps forward - Breaking Defense - 08/22/2023 Taiwan to begin installing domestic vertical missile launch system on Navy ships - Taiwan News - 08/24/2023 THREAT NEWS  Poland's leader says Russia's moving tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, shifting regional security - AP News - 08/22/2023 US, Vietnam, Taiwan Oppose China's Buildup on Triton Island - VOA News - 08/23/2023 OTHER NEWS Russia and Ukraine trade drone attacks as Kyiv claims it took a key S-400 missile defense system - AP News - 08/23/2023 Iran and Saudi Arabia are among 6 nations set to join China and Russia in the BRICS economic bloc - AP News - 08/24/2023 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!