Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS July 30th - August 5th, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On July 30th, the U.S. announced $1.7 billion in military aid to Ukraine, which includes $1.5 billion for long-term contracts via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and $200 million in immediate aid from Pentagon stockpiles. This aid package, following a NATO summit focused on supporting Ukraine, includes munitions for air defense systems, artillery, mortars, anti-tank and anti-ship missiles, and secure communications systems. The U.S. will also provide air defense interceptors, rockets, artillery, and anti-tank weapons through presidential drawdown authority. This brings the total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to over $55.4 billion since Russia's invasion in February 2022. While the Defense Department did not specify which systems would be sent immediately versus funded through contracts, the aid aims to fortify Ukraine’s defenses against Russian advances. On August 1st, F-16 fighter jets, pledged by Western countries, arrived in Ukraine and will soon be operational, bolstering Ukraine's defense against Russian forces. Authorized by President Joe Biden in August 2023, over 60 F-16s from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway will be delivered gradually. These jets, replacing Ukraine's aging Soviet-era fleet, will primarily intercept Russian missiles and drones, suppress enemy air defenses, and strike ground targets. Despite their advanced capabilities, the F-16s won't singularly turn the war's tide but will enhance Ukraine's military strength and morale. However, challenges include extensive pilot training, substantial logistical support, and the need for robust airfield defenses. Russia, viewing the F-16s as significant targets, has threatened to destroy them, even on foreign bases, while Ukraine aims to protect these assets through fortified airfields and strategic dispersal. As of August 4th, North Korea has delivered 250 nuclear-capable missile launchers to frontline military units, with leader Kim Jong Un emphasizing the expansion of the military’s nuclear program to counter U.S. threats. The launchers, designed for tactical ballistic missiles, enhance North Korea's firepower and practicality of tactical nuclear weapons. This move raises concerns due to Kim's authorization of preemptive nuclear strikes and his aim to deploy battlefield nuclear weapons near South Korea. The U.S., South Korea, and Japan have increased joint military exercises in response. Kim’s intensified weapons tests are seen as pressure on the U.S. to recognize North Korea as a nuclear power and lift sanctions. Additionally, Kim leverages Russia’s war on Ukraine to further his weapons development, while the recent delivery ceremony highlighted North Korea's commitment to military expansion despite ongoing flood recovery efforts. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Leading US Strategy in Pivotal Areas of Global Security MDAA is partnering with some of America’s leading Universities... Read more MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK SSG Sidney Hacker  SSG Hacker is currently assigned as a Tactical Control Assistant (TCA), HHB Battery, 1-174 Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment. SSG Hacker trained and certified during Exercise American Shield (EAS), and Culminating Training Event (CTE) as a member of a Minimum Deployment Package (MDP) team, a Forward Area Air Defense Army Airspace Command and Control (FAAD A2C2), and a Tactical Control Assistant in support of Operation Noble Eagle. During a shortage of TCA’s, she stepped up and covered down working multiple extra shifts to cover the loss of manpower. When the JADOC Teams required retraining, SSG Hacker took the initiative and used her expertise to create study guides for the JADOC shooter battalion to excel during a 110-question general knowledge test and key word test, printing them out and making them available for any Soldier who wanted to utilize it. Additionally, SSG Hacker helped her team study for the general knowledge test resulting in Team 4 being the highest scoring team in the JADOC with an average score of 93%. SSG Hacker began her military service in April 2017 when she enlisted into the Ohio National Guard as an Air Defense Battle Management System Operator. She attended Butler Tech and received a Firefighter Level II Certification and Great Oaks Academy and received an Emergency Medical Technician Certification. SSG Hacker’s deployments include Operation Noble Eagle; NCR (2018-2019), ODT Defender Pacific; Guam (2021), Operation Inherent Resolve; Iraq (2021-2022), and again Operation Noble Eagle (2023-2024). SSG Hacker’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal w/ C Device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Comissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Driver and Mechanic Badge w/ Driver-Wheeled Vehicle(s) Clasp, Commandant’s Essay Award during Basic Leadership Course (BLC), and achieved top TCA at the NASAMS Fire Distribution Center Operators Course in 2018. SSG Hacker is married to Zachary Long of Elkhart Indiana. They currently reside in Oak Grove, Kentucky. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2024 NCR Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS North Korean Bulsae-4 Anti-Tank Missile Vehicle Reportedly Spotted in Ukraine for First Time - Army Recognition - 07/30/2024 Poland to Receive US LTAMDS Radars for Air and Missile Defense - Polygon Journal - 08/02/2024 US steps up ballistic missile defence and fighter support in Middle East - Airforce Technology - 08/05/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Russia launches one of war’s biggest drone attacks on Ukraine - CNN - 07/31/2024 THREAT NEWS Chinese, Russian Warships Sail Around Japanese Islands - USNI News - 07/30/2024 Missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels hits container ship in first attack in 2 weeks - The Economic Times - 08/04/2024 SPACE NEWS Pentagon advisory panel urges integration of commercial space tech for military use - Space News - 08/01/2024 OTHER NEWS Hamas political leader Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, plunging Middle East conflict into dangerous new phase - CNN - 07/31/2024  Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street Suite 330 | Alexandria, VA 22314 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice