Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS September 3rd - September 9th, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF China announced it will conduct joint military exercises with Russia, called "North-Joint 2024," later this month. The drills will involve naval and air forces around the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk to strengthen military cooperation against perceived U.S. dominance. China will also join Russia's "Ocean-2024" strategic exercise. The two countries have intensified military and economic collaboration in recent years, promoting a "no limits" partnership. China's top diplomat will also visit Russia for a BRICS security meeting. The Space Development Agency (SDA) successfully demonstrated laser-based optical intersatellite links, a crucial capability for its future network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites for SATCOM and missile tracking. This demonstration is part of SDA's plan to establish a "Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture" integrating military and commercial satellites. The demonstration addressed key technical challenges, enhancing data transport and missile tracking capabilities, and advancing SDA's objectives for space-based defense networks. Germany has received its first IRIS-T SLM air defense system, marking the start of a new phase in European air defense. This system, previously prioritized for Ukraine, has a high success rate in intercepting missiles. Six IRIS-T SLM units will be delivered to Germany to fill gaps in air defense capabilities, complementing the European Sky Shield Initiative. The move aligns with Germany's broader defense strategy, which includes deploying U.S. intermediate-range missiles. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Welcoming our Newest Member We are honored to announce a significant addition to our team, a “first round draft pick” to best set the Read more MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK SPC Ashley Grooms  SPC Ashley Grooms is currently assigned as Crewmember 2 of NASAMs Team 12, 3rd Squad, Shooter Battery, 2nd Platoon, 1-174 Air Defense Artillery Regiment (ADAR). SPC Grooms does an outstanding job on her familiarization brief of the shelter and equipment on her assigned NASAMs site. Her dedication to the mission is a direct reflection to the success of Team 12. SPC Grooms enlisted into the Ohio Army national Guard in November of 2019 and was assigned to HHB, 1-174 ADA as a 68W (medic), where she finished in the Top Ten of her AIT medic class. SPC Grooms has done an outstanding job understanding the nature of this mission, despite not having any prior air defense background. Upon completion of this 2023-24 Operation Noble Eagle assignment, she will return to HHB, 1-174 ADA and resume her medic duties. Her military education includes the completion of Distributed Leader Course I. SPC Grooms’ military awards include the National defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.  Her favorite part of being in the military includes meeting new people from all over and learning new skills. In her spare time, SPC Grooms enjoys crocheting, taking care of plants, and reading. Upon completion of the mission, she intends to enroll into clinicals, with goals of becoming a Registered Nurse. SPC Grooms lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her fiancé and dog (Teddy). Click here to view all the awardees from the 2024 NCR Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Taiwan to Buy Nearly 2,000 More Stinger Missiles as China Row Escalates - The Defense Post - 09/03/2024 Polish arms maker pitches new strike drones amid long-range trend - Defense Post - 09/04/2024 Report to Congress on Great Power Competition - USNI News - 09/05/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS US Army’s next budget invests heavily in drones and electronic warfare - Defense News - 09/06/2024 Netherlands Announces $89M to Arm Ukrainian F-16s with Air-to-Air Missiles - The Defense post - 09/09/2024 THREAT NEWS Russian Strike Kills 51 in Ukrainian City - The Defense Post - 09/04/2024 As Iran threatens Israel, Tehran’s missile program remains in question - Defense News - 09/03/2024 SPACE NEWS Production scaling woes delay next Space Development Agency launches - Defense News - 09/05/2024 OTHER NEWS Ukraine Launches Iron Range Project to Speed Weapons Development - The Defense Post - 09/09/2024 At Least 81 Killed in Nigeria in Suspected Boko Haram Attack: Officials - The Defense Post - 09/04/2024  Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street Suite 330 | Alexandria, VA 22314 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice