MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS August 29th - September 4th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, August 29, the U.S., Japan and South Korea conducted a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the East China Sea in response to North Korea’s failed satellite launch last week. On Thursday, Pyongyang launched a rocket based on its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technologies. Two days later, U.S., Australian, Japanese and Philippines military officials flew over the South China Sea in a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) as part of the activities around a meeting of the four nations in Manila. Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers USS Benfold (DDG-65), JS Haguro (DDG-180) and ROKS Yulgok Yi (DDG-992) carried out the ballistic missile defense exercise in the East China Sea. On Tuesday, August 30, it was reported that North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea on Wednesday night, its neighbors said, hours after the U.S. flew long-range bombers for drills with its allies in a show of force against the North. The launches, the latest in the North’s barrage of weapons tests since last year, came amid ongoing annual U.S.-South Korean military exercises that North Korea regards as a rehearsal for invasion. There were no reports of damages caused by Wednesday’s launches. But observers say North Korea likely aimed to demonstrate again it has missiles capable of striking key targets in South Korea in protest at its rivals’ military exercises. Also on Tuesday, the U.S. and South Korean militaries want to more closely integrate their systems for tracking North Korean missile launches, an effort that may soon see more cooperation with Japan as well, U.S. Space Force officials said on Wednesday. Led by a small contingent of U.S. Space Force personnel - the branch's first official component set up overseas - the allies see closer space integration as key to better tracking North Korean threats and responding to a conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden agreed with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at an Aug. 18 summit that by the end of this year the three countries would share North Korea missile warning data in real time. On Wednesday, August 31, Japan’s defense ministry announced plans to strengthen air and missile defenses and acquire counterstrike capabilities to counter North Korean military threats on Thursday, unveiling the country’s largest-ever defense budget. The Ministry of Defense has requested a total of $52.8 billion (7.7 trillion yen) for fiscal year 2024, citing an increasingly severe security situation surrounding Japan. The budget plan lists seven key pillars of “necessary efforts to drastically strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities,” asking for $8.7 billion for “integrated air and missile defense capabilities” to respond to airborne threats. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Missiles of Choice "The war in Ukraine is a war of missiles versus missile defense. Russia is now launching cruise missiles as the missiles of choice over ballistic missiles. Russia used their short-range ballistic missiles extensively during the beginning of their invasion, but since last summer their usage has severely diminished..." Click here to read more. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Lieutenant Commander Brandon Naddell ​​ LCDR Naddell is the Chief of Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Operations Support Branch for US Air Forces Europe (USAFE). In this role he expertly leads his team of four IAMD professionals in the development and support of defensive operations for NATO allies and partners, strengthening US commitment and NATO resolve during this critical year of the Ukrainian crisis. LCDR Naddell synchronizes a cross-component team of IAMD subject matter experts from NAVEUR, USAREUR, MARFOREUR, and USAFE as the USAFE lead for the Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense (JTAMD) working group. Through the inclusion of AIRCOM this group was initially tasked to analyze the rising threat of Russia to NATO. However, at the onset of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict the JTAMD transitioned their focus to the creation of real-world defense designs which were rapidly employed in key locations along NATO’s Eastern Flank. LCDR Naddell led 38 recurring training events, exercising and validating the entire Ballistic Missile Defense kill-chain from Area Air Defense Command and Control to joint and coalition sensors and shooters as the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Training Officer. He personally trained 5 General Officers on the theater’s Ballistic Missile Defense mission detailing how the 603d Air Operations Center (AOC) provides operational-level command and control to ensure seamless missile defense across the European theater in support of named operations. LCDR Naddell is nominated for the European DOY award because of his role as the 603d AOC lead for regional partner exercise training engagements on behalf of HQ USAFE and is dedicated to shaping the continued defense of a vital partner nation's strategic interests.  LCDR Naddell advises the Joint Task Force Israel training audience for both Exercise SILVER FALCON and SILVER COBRA training events. After a program-hiatus due to COVID, LCDR Naddell re-instated a crucial unit level quarterly exercise designed to test real-world tactical and operational level integration and Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) architectures.  As the lead BMD trainer, LCDR Naddell personally trained three Regional Air Defense Commander-Representatives (RADC-Reps) and four Upper Tier Coordination Officers (UTCO) further enabling USAFE’s enduring commitment to maintain the highest levels of operational readiness for key partner nations.  Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 European Missile Defenders of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS Summary of external news of North Korea this week - Yonhap News Agency - 09/01/2023 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Ukrainian Intelligence Details Russian Missile Stocks - Aviation Week - 08/29/2023 Pentagon seeks missile defense integration with Australia - Defense One - 08/29/2023 US approves first-ever military aid to Taiwan through program typically used for sovereign nations - CNN - 08/31/2023 THREAT NEWS  Iran’s New Air Defense System Can Engage 12 Targets Simultaneously - Tasnim News Agency - 08/29/2023 North Korea fires ballistic missiles toward the sea after the US flies bombers during drills - AP News - 08/30/2023 OTHER NEWS US given OK to enforce maritime law around Palau as Washington vies with China for Pacific influence - ABC News - 08/29/2023 U.S. Air Force Revives B-52 Jammer Proposal For China Threat - Aviation Week - 08/30/2023 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!