Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS May 7th - May 13th, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On May 7th, Poland's former prime minister and current European Parliament member, Donald Tusk, advocated for the European Union to establish a unified air defense system. Tusk argued that such a system is necessary to counter potential threats and enhance the security of EU member states. He highlighted the importance of cooperation and solidarity among EU nations in the face of evolving security challenges, particularly in the context of Russia's military assertiveness and global instability. Tusk's proposal comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO, as well as concerns about defense capabilities within the EU. He emphasized the need for a collective response to security threats and suggested that a joint air defense system would strengthen the EU's defense posture. However, there are potential obstacles to Tusk's proposal, including differing priorities among EU member states and logistical challenges in coordinating a unified defense strategy. Overall, Tusk's call for a joint air defense system reflects ongoing discussions about European security cooperation and the EU's role in defense affairs. On May 10th, the governor of Guam toured a new facility intended to house the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system on the island. The THAAD system is designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles in their terminal phase of flight, providing a crucial defense capability against potential missile threats. Guam, a U.S. territory in the Pacific, has been identified as a strategic location for deploying such defense systems due to its proximity to potential adversaries like North Korea and China. The tour underscored the significance of Guam in the U.S. military's regional defense strategy and highlighted efforts to bolster the island's defenses against missile threats. The governor's visit to the THAAD facility reflects ongoing collaboration between federal and local authorities to enhance Guam's security posture and protect its residents and military installations. Additionally, the economic benefits are huge, associated with the construction and operation of the THAAD facility, including job creation and investment in Guam's infrastructure. The mission is critical for missile defense capabilities in safeguarding Guam and maintaining regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. On May 13th, Iran launched a missile attack on Israel, and evidence suggests that North Korean missile technology and advancements may have facilitated this strike. The attack highlights a pattern of cooperation between Iran and North Korea in the realm of missile development and proliferation, with numerous previous instances of collaboration between the two countries. North Korea's expertise in missile technology, particularly in solid-fuel propulsion systems, has likely contributed to Iran's missile capabilities. There are also concerns over the potential transfer of nuclear technology from North Korea to Iran, further amplifying the threat posed by their collaboration. This underscores the need for increased vigilance and diplomatic efforts to address the proliferation of missile and nuclear technologies among rogue states. Additionally, the implications of Iran's missile attack on Israel for regional security dynamics emphasize the importance of deterring further aggression through diplomatic means and strategic alliances. The attack raises alarm about the nexus between North Korea's missile expertise and Iran's aggressive actions, highlighting the urgent need for international action to prevent the spread of advanced weapons technology. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS The Most Integrated Lethal Joint Force on this Planet Last Friday in Pearl Harbor with the USS Missouri and the USS Arizona in the background Secretary of Defense Loyd Austin and the Chairman of the JCS General CQ Brown presided over the change of the United States largest and most powerful Combatant Command in the World. – The Indo pacific command – Read more 2024 European Missile Defender of the Year & Regional IAMD Coalitions Conference A no more relevant time to host with Poland the 2024 European Missile Defender of the Year and a Regional Coalition IAMD Forum than on the Anniversary of V Day May 8 1945 in Warsaw Poland. Read more MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Staff Sergeant John Brannon SSgt Brannon is an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Technician and Senior Air Defense Technician, 603rd Air Operations Center, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He leads 16 personnel comprising the senior command and control element responsible for 24/7 air and missile defense of 52 EUCOM and AFRICOM countries. The 603d Air Operations Center is the core of the Falconer Weapon System for United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces in Africa. SSgt Brannon led his team as the senior reporting element of EUROPEAN AIR MISSILE DEFENSE Exercise 2023, which realized EUCOM’s operational acceptance of Aegis Ashore Poland. By executing this mission in accordance with Phase 3 of the Presidentially Directed “Phased Adaptive Approach” to European missile defense, he helped ensure the safety of 10.4M miles of NATO, 12% of the world’s population, and innumerable United States interests. SSgt Brannon coordinated 83 mission capability changes, and managed 400 ballistic missile event reports, which enabled the Ballistic Missile Defense System to respond to 116 detected threats. In doing so, John achieved the Regional Air Defense Commander’s priorities by strengthening ally and partner interoperability while successfully directing critical assets during heightened tensions in Ukraine. SSgt Brannon managed the division’s transfer of a 10-year EUCOM ballistic missile defense mission to CENTCOM. He facilitated the handover of the Regional Air Defense Commander’s senior reporting agency, charged with managing a $3 billion integrated air and missile defense kill chain, and integral to upholding the U.S. commitment to bilateral defense cooperation agreements. SSgt Brannon is originally from Panama City Beach, Florida, and received his Associates in Applied Sciences degree in Intelligence Studies and Technology in 2019. He enlisted in 2018 and served four years as a Signals Intelligence Analyst before retraining into Battle Management Operations in 2022. Prior to his current position, he served as an Operations Supervisor for 39 Airmen, 13th Intelligence Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, California. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 U.S. Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS USC SHIELD Innovates Security For Land, Earth and Beyond - USC Viterbi - 05/09/2024 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Exclusive: Ukraine examines N.Korean missile debris amid fears of Moscow-Pyongyang axis - Reuters - 05/07/2024 Israel, Germany officials meet to discuss production of Arrow 3 - The Jerusalem Post - 05/09/2024 U.S. Navy Rehearses Deployment Of MRC Typhon Missile System In The Baltics - The Aviationist - 05/10/2024 German SPD Leader Criticizes NATO Territory Missile Defense Proposal - MSN - 05/12/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Elbit’s new Red Sky air defense system goes public with first customer - Breaking Defense -04/07/2024 Lockheed Martin to roll out first F-35s for Poland this summer - Defense News -04/07/2024 New UAV hunter can destroy drones 15,000 feet high in 4.3-mile range - Interesting Engineering - 05/08/2024 THREAT NEWS Separatist leader claims ATACMS hit oil depot in Luhansk - Yahoo News - 05/08/2024 Russia pounds Ukraine with biggest airstrikes in weeks - CNN - 05/08/2024 Sen. King calls for more to be done to protect US from hypersonic missiles - WGME - 05/09/2024 Russian forces attack Ukraine's Kharkiv region, striking on new front - Reuters - 05/10/2024 OTHER NEWS US announces new $400 mln military aid package for Ukraine, official says - Reuters - 05/10/2024 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!