Missile Defense Mondays MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS September 24th - September 30th, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On September 26, 2024, President Joe Biden announced a significant $8 billion military aid package for Ukraine during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Washington. This new surge of aid includes long-range munitions aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russia. While Biden reiterated support for Ukraine, the aid did not include Kyiv's request for long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russia. The announcement also coincided with heightened tensions around Russia’s nuclear rhetoric, further underscoring the gravity of the ongoing conflict. On September 27, 2024, Israel carried out a targeted strike in southern Beirut, killing the head of Hezbollah’s drone unit. This marked the fourth Israeli attack in a week aimed at senior Hezbollah figures. The strike targeted a residential area, killing two people and injuring 15 others, including a woman in critical condition. The action is part of Israel’s ongoing campaign to weaken Hezbollah's military capabilities, specifically their drone operations, as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate. On September 26, 2024, Taiwan reported a surge of Chinese military aircraft near its coast. Over 103 Chinese warplanes were observed, with many entering Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ). This marked one of the largest air incursions to date, with Chinese aircraft approaching from both the southeastern and southwestern regions of the ADIZ. Some of these planes were likely launched from the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, which was conducting operations in the area. Taiwan's Ministry of Defense has condemned the increase in military pressure, interpreting it as part of China's broader strategy to intimidate and isolate the island. This surge in activity is seen as a reflection of China's ongoing attempts to assert control over Taiwan and signal its military capabilities, particularly following Taiwan’s increased diplomatic engagements with the U.S. Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS What The Heck Is Going On In Guam? Dear Members and Friends In the forefront of the Chinese three stage ICBM demonstration from mainland China (Hainan) into international Read more MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK SPC John Muthig SPC John Muthig is currently assigned as the Gunner for Avenger Team 10, 3rd Squad, Shooter Battery, 1st Platoon, 1-174 Air Defense Artillery Regiment. SPC Muthig’s knowledge, understanding, and operation of the Avenger Weapon System has propelled his team’s success throughout the pre-mobilization and mobilization periods. His alertness and agility during crew drills, along with his Visual Aircraft Recognition and General Knowledge comprehension, have elevated Team 10 to “Top Gun” performances during the live fire exercise at CTE and again during the mission’s first Falcon Virgo event. SPC Muthig enlisted into the Ohio Army National Guard in August of 2020. He completed basic and AIT training as a 14S (avenger crewmember) and then was assigned to Bravo Battery, 1-174 ADA BN, to where he will return after completion of this mission. SPC Muthig has completed Distributed Leader Course I and intends to enroll into the Basic Leader Course. His activations include State Active Duty for the COVID Hospital mission in 2021-22 and his current activation in support of Operation Noble Eagle for 2023-24. His military awards and medals include: 1- National Defense Service Medal; 1- Armed Forces Service Medal; 1- Army Service Ribbon; and 1- Ohio Special Service Ribbon. SPC Muthig was previously an assistant manager at Kroger and looks to pursue a degree in Biology upon returning from this mobilization. In his spare time, SPC Muthig enjoys running, going to the gym, playing basketball, fishing, and reading & writing. He is currently working on a novel, Blessing of Courage, with plans to finish and possibly publish the writing soon. SPC Muthig resides in Milford, Ohio. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2024 NCR Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS White House announces billions in new Ukraine aid, new F-16 training - Defense News - 9/26/2024 US Picks Northrop to Develop Hypersonic Glide Phase Interceptor - The Defense post - 9/30/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Hensoldt Launches AI-Enabled ARGOS-15 Airborne Targeting System - The Defense Post - 9/27/2024 Raytheon Delivers Saudi Arabia’s First AN/TPY-2 Air Defense Radar - The Defense Post - 9/26/2024 THREAT NEWS North Korea vows response to US submarine’s visit to South Korea - AP News - 9/24/2024 China test-fires ICBM into international waters - The Hill - 9/25/2024 North Korea has enough uranium to build a ‘double-digit’ number of bombs, Seoul’s spy agency says - AP News - 9/26/2024 OTHER NEWS Canada Debuts New Armed Forces Cyber Command - The Defense Post - 9/30/2024 Biden Approves $567M Defense Assistance for Taiwan - The Defense Post - 9/30/2024 The case for giving Ukraine long-range striking power in Russia - Defense News - 9/29/2024 Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street Suite 330 | Alexandria, VA 22314 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice
