Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS June 4th - June 10th, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On June 4th, it was reported that Ukraine has utilized American-supplied weapons to strike a military facility within Russia. This follows the recent approval from the Biden administration allowing Ukraine to target Russian territory with U.S.-made artillery. The strike, which occurred in the Belgorod region about 20 miles inside Russia, involved the destruction of Russian missile systems using a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), according to Yehor Chernev, deputy chairman of Ukraine’s national security committee. This marks the first public acknowledgment by a Ukrainian official of such an attack since the lifting of the U.S. ban. The ban had been maintained to avoid escalating tensions with Russia, a nuclear-armed nation. The U.S. has stipulated that these weapons can only be used for defensive purposes and in areas near northeastern Ukraine. The HIMARS strike reportedly destroyed S-300 and S-400 missile systems, which Russia had been using to bombard the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The attack's aftermath, verified by satellite imagery and social media posts, showed burning military vehicles and damaged equipment. Military analysts believe that Ukraine's new capability to hit targets within Russia will help counter Moscow’s cross-border attacks. However, Russia has issued warnings about potential severe repercussions from such actions, though it has not specified what these might be. The U.S. has stated it will not expand permissions for deeper strikes into Russia or allow the use of more powerful rockets like ATACMS at this time. Despite this, Ukrainian officials continue to lobby for greater military support to prevent Russian forces from massing at the border and launching further offensives. On June 4th, an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. This test, performed by a joint team from the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, is part of a long series of over 300 similar launches, with no connection to current global events. General Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, emphasized the importance of the ICBM force in maintaining national defense and international security, providing strategic deterrence around the clock. The missile traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands, where its flight was monitored by various sensors. The Minuteman III, developed by Boeing, has been a critical component of the U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy since 1970. A replacement, the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM, is being developed by Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and the Air Force, and is expected to be operational by 2029. On June 9th, two ships caught fire after being hit by projectiles off Yemen's Aden, as reported by two UK maritime agencies. The British security firm Ambrey stated that an Antigua- and Barbuda-flagged general cargo ship was struck by a missile 83 nautical miles southeast of Aden. The fire on board was later contained. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a similar incident involving another vessel 80 nautical miles southeast of Aden. This ship, heading southwest in the Gulf of Aden, was struck by a missile, causing a fire that was quickly neutralized. A second missile did not hit, but small boats in the area opened fire on the ship. There were no injuries reported. Additionally, a second incident involved a ship hit by an unknown projectile 70 nautical miles southwest of Aden, resulting in a fire. The vessel continued to its next port of call without casualties. The Houthi militia, aligned with Iran and controlling parts of Yemen, has been attacking ships off its coast in support of Palestinians fighting Israel in Gaza. These attacks have forced shippers to take longer routes around southern Africa. In response, the United States and Britain have conducted strikes against Houthi targets. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS The Greatest Momentum Shift in History Today we celebrate and commemorate the greatest integrated Allied effort in history – an effort which changed the momentum of a World War to win it, resulting in a sound defeat of the tyranny and the establishment of a new of world order —D-Day, June 6, 1944. We pay tribute to and recognize the massive sacrifice on this day – to the thousands who gave their lives for the... Read more 2024 NCR Missile Defender of the Year Last Friday, MDAA hosted our 75th Defender of the Year (DOY) at Joint Base Andrews and NCR MDOY recognizing the best missile defenders of this past year in their noble mission of the defense of our nation’s Capital and Region. We honored 20 of the best of the best leaders from our National Guard and across... Read more MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Chief Warrant Officer Jay Siva Sanjeev Sivasankaran began his career in the United States Army in 2003 as a Patriot Missile Crewmember (MOS 14T) with 6-52 ADA BN, Germany. In 2012, he received his Warrant Officer appointment as an Air &Missile Defense System Technician (MOS 140 E). He has held various positions all over the U.S. Army, Air and Missile Defense footprint such as Battery Maintenance Technician, Tactical Control Officer, Battalion Readiness Officer, Support Operations Officer Brigade level and Division level. CW4 Sivasankaran currently serves in the 10th AAMDC G4 as the Senior AMD Technician. His military education includes the Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education: Warrant Officer Advance Course; Warrant Officer Basic Course and Air Assault Course. Chief Sivasankaran’ s involvement in operational requirements within the EUCOM, AFRICOM and Ukrainian Air Defense has been instrumental in defending U.S and partner interests within the AORs. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (1SOLC); Army Achievement Medal (2SOLC); Joint Achievement Medal; Humanitarian Achievement Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Army Superior Unit Award; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He is the recipient of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. CW4 Sivasankaran is married to Mindy, from Tacoma, Washington and have three daughters. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2024 European Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS South Korea preps new antimissile weaponry to counter North's arsenal - Defense News - 06/05/2024 Military plans up to 20 missile tests for Guam defense system over next decade - Stars and Stripes - 06/05/2024 Diehl Working On Longer-Range Air Defense System Derived From IRIS-T - Aviation Week - 06/06/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Italy to send second air defence system to Ukraine, foreign minister says - Reuters - 06/03/2024 Kamikaze Drone Threat Putting Air Defense Back in Army Maneuver Formations - National Defense - 06/03/2023 MBDA offers mini missiles for Rheinmetall Skyranger air-defense gun - Defense News - 06/06/2024 NATO to Set Allies Tougher Targets for Air Defense and Missiles, Diplomat Says - US News - 06/07/2024 Ukrainian military downs 5 Russian missiles, 48 drones - VOA - 06/07/2024 THREAT NEWS Chinese Missile Rain 'Endangers' Guam; US to Conduct 20 Live-Fire Tests Using SM-3, Thaad & Patriot - EurAsian Times - 06/06/2024 SPACE NEWS DARPA project uses AI to flag space weapons, spy satellites - C4ISR - 06/05/2024 Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street Suite 330 | Alexandria, VA 22314 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice