Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS July 16th - July 22nd, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On July 16th, A new short-range air defense system, the Pantsir-S1, was installed near one of President Vladimir Putin's residences in Valdai, western Russia, amid Ukraine's drone campaign targeting Russian territory. Satellite imagery from Radio Liberty shows the system on a tower about two miles from the residence, with unidentified technology that may include long-range missiles. Additional air defense systems were also reported northeast of Valdai. These systems, known as the SA-22 Greyhound by NATO, can intercept targets up to 25 miles away. Reports have previously indicated similar defenses around Putin's residences and in Moscow, particularly following a drone attack on an oil depot in St. Petersburg. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the recent satellite imagery. Also on the 16th, China and Russia commenced a joint naval exercise in southern China, shortly after NATO allies labeled Beijing a "decisive enabler" of the Ukraine war. The exercise, which began in Guangdong province and will last until mid-July, aims to demonstrate the navies' capabilities in addressing security threats and maintaining global and regional peace. The drills include anti-missile exercises, sea strikes, and air defense. Despite recent tensions with NATO, China insists the operation is unrelated to international and regional situations. This exercise follows a NATO summit highlighting shared security concerns about China and Russia. Additionally, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter recently encountered Chinese military ships in the Bering Sea, which were operating within international norms. On July 18th, during Valiant Shield 24 in the Indo-Pacific, a U.S. Navy Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), guided by the U.S. Army's new Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) and Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), successfully intercepted a target, Raytheon announced. This test, involving both physical hardware and simulation, showcased the Army's LTAMDS providing threat tracking data to IBCS, which then initiated the launch and guided the SM-6 to intercept. This integration demonstrates the Pentagon's goal for seamless operations between services and confirms the Navy missiles' compatibility with the Army's missile defense systems. This capability is crucial for countering complex threats and is part of a broader effort to build a layered missile defense architecture. The test also supports future defense plans for Guam and reflects advancements in the Army's missile defense capabilities, including the deployment of Mid-Range Capability weapons and ongoing LTAMDS development. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS There is More That Must Be Done On July 10, 2024, The Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance, gathered in Washington D.C. to celebrate NATO’s 75th anniversary... Read more   MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK 1LT Michael Powell  1LT Powell is currently assigned as an Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer (ADAFCO) for the H.Q. Battery, 1-174th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Battalion. For additional duty, 1LT Powell has been selected as the Officer-in-Charge of the M4 range at A.P. Hill, Virginia, and the EST range at Fort Meade, Maryland. 1LT Powell was coined by the 263d AAMDC NCR-IADS G3 (TRA) as a top-performing ADAFCO during CTE at Fort Bliss, Texas, in June 2023. JADOC Team 3 has not been cited for any errors on any Falcon Virgos, Falcon Gains, Distributed Mission Operations (DMO), or simulations since the 1-174th ADA Battalion conducted the battle hand-off during July 2023 in the National Capital Region (NCR). As one of the top performing JADOC teams, Team 3 has been selected to support 1-265th ADA (Florida Army National Guard) EAS and CTE to train their JADOC teams, so they are fully mission capable upon arrival in the NCR. 1LT Powell began his military service in 2013 when he enlisted as an Infantryman in the Ohio Army National Guard. He spent five years enlisted, and two years after graduating college, he received his commission. He is a graduate of the Air Defense Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course. 1LT Powell has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Wright State University and a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Finance and Risk Management from Ohio Dominican University. 1LT Powell’s previous deployment includes Operation Inherent Resolve (2021-2022) in Iraq, where 1LT Powell functioned as the Avenger Platoon Leader for Short Range Air Defense. 1LT Powell planned and coordinated for live red air to practice the Avenger kill chain with the Base Defense Operations Cell. His platoon ran three daily drills to ensure that all engagement orders were streamlined. His hard work resulted in his platoon being the first National Guard unit to successfully engage an enemy advanced conventional weapon in combat with the Avenger. 1LT Powell is married to the former Katrina Coleman of Lansing, Michigan. They have two daughters, Michaela and Karinna. 1LT Powell works as a Program Manager for Wright Patterson Airforce Base. They currently reside in Columbus, Ohio. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2024 NCR Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Aussie passive radar becomes first kit delivered for AIR6500 missile defense system - Breaking Defense - 07/18/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Interview: More Patriots and F-16s for Ukraine, but no deep strikes in Russia - VOA News - 07/16/2024 Resolution seeks more transparency on the military’s proposed plans for Guam - Kuam News - 07/17/2024 THREAT NEWS Taiwan Army tracks 18 Chinese aircrafts, 6 vessels near its territory - Buisness Standard - 07/16/2024 Russian fighter jets over Baltic Sea prompt response by 2 newest NATO members - Stars & Stripes - 07/17/2024 SPACE NEWS U.S. nuclear command satellites need hardening against attacks, report warns - Space News - 07/17/2024 Refuellable satellites offer critical edge amidst intensifying threats in space - Space News - 07/18/2024 OTHER NEWS US close to sending $2 billion in security aid across the Indo-Pacific - Defense News - 07/19/2024  Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street Suite 330 | Alexandria, VA 22314 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice