THIS WEEK IN MISSILE DEFENSE August 31 - September 6, 2019 THE WEEK IN BRIEF Last Friday, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted an intercept test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. During the test, THAAD successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target and it was the first time THAAD used a new remote launcher kit ability to extended the range of THAAD’s defended area. On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Esper signed off on a plan to defer $3.6 billion in military construction funds to build 175 miles of walls along the U.S. southern border. This deferral included $8 million allocated by Congress to expand Missile Field 1 at Fort Greely, Alaska with two additional backup interceptors for when existing GBIs need repair and maintenance. Also on Tuesday, the U.S. imposed sanctions, for the first time, on Iran’s space agency for its involvement in the regime’s ballistic missile development. The announcement came five days after a rocket exploded at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in the northern province of Semnan. On Wednesday, Raytheon offered a boostless version of its Sky-Ceptor interceptor to Poland as an option for the country to fulfill its Narew short-range and Wisla medium-range air defense requirements. Missile maker MBDA also offered its Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) to Poland as an option for its Narew program. On Thursday, President Putin said Russia would produce missiles that were banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty that ended last month, but Moscow would not deploy them unless the U.S. did. The U.S. withdrew from the INF Treaty in August after warning Russia for months its deployment of the SSC-8 cruise missile violated the treaty. On Friday, Saudi air defenses destroyed a ballistic missile fired by militias from Yemen towards Najran. The attack comes the day after a similar Houthi missile attack was intercepted and destroyed by the Royal Saudi Air Defense. Saudi Arabia rejected the recent escalation in Yemen and repeated its call for dialogue. Click here to read all of the headlines from the week. MDAA CONGRESSIONAL ROUNDTABLE Please note the new date and time of the event is Tuesday, September 17, 2019 from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM. Click here to join the RSVP waitlist. The event will be live streamed on MDAA's YouTube account. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Aegis Afloat Aegis Afloat is the sea-based component of the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Aegis BMD builds upon the Aegis Weapon System, Standard Missile, and Navy and joint forces’ Command, Control and Communication systems. The U.S. deploys Aegis BMD to provide both Learn more about Aegis Afloat Poland In 1999, Poland joined NATO to enhance its strategic defense against external threats.[i] From 2002-2009, Poland engaged in talks with the United States and European countries to build a US missile defense complex in Poland. Learn more about Poland Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) is a missile defense system developed to meet International Common Operational Requirements and is jointly developed by the United States, Germany, and Italy. MEADS consists of five elements: surveillance radar, tactical Learn more about MEADS MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Sergeant First Class Caroline Domenech SFC Domenech is the Senior Systems Evaluator for the Battalion Operational Readiness Evaluation team in the 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Ft. Greely, Alaska. SFC Domenech has proven herself time and time again and her current position allows her to share her wealth of knowledge and insights to all Fire Direction Center missile crews. In April 2019, SFC Domenech was the first Soldier in the entire 100th Missile Defense Brigade to earn the title of master Gunner, displaying her passion for remaining the best while ensuring the 49th Missile Defense Battalion is ready to defend against any ICBM attacks. SFC Domenech is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She enlisted in 2007 as a Human Intelligence Collector and went to Basic Combat Training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After graduation, SFC Domenech was assigned to the 292nd Military Intelligence Company in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 2009, SFC Domenech accepted a position as a Military Police Officer with the MP GBI Security Company, 49th Missile Defense Battalion. In 2014, She transitioned to Headquarters Battery (HHB), where she served as a Communications Operator, Weapons Operator, and an alternate Command Launch Equipment (CLE) Operator, maintaining certifications for all three positions. She holds an Associates of Applied Science in Intelligence Operations Studies from Cochise College and is currently working towards a Baccalaureate of Science in History from the University of Phoenix. SFC Domenech's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Knots, National Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO's Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Alaska Commendation Medal, Alaska Community Service Medal, Puerto Rico National Guard Commendation Medal, Puerto Rico National Guard English Proficiency Ribbon with Arabic Numeral 2, and the Alaska Governor's Distinguished Unit Citation. She also has an Army Senior Space Badge, Army Basic Space Badge, German Army Proficiency Badge for Military Proficiency in Gold, German Marksmanship Badge (schützenschnur) in Gold (2nd Award), 2017 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year (Top Crew), and the 2016 U.S. Missile Defender of the Year. Click here to view the winners from the 2019 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS THAAD System Successfully Intercepts Target in Missile Defense Flight Test – 08/31/2019- MDA Press Release In first, MDA remotely launches a missile – 09/03/2019 – Defense News Raytheon to Update Navy Missile Defense Systems Under Potential $466M Contract – 09/03/2019 – GovCon Wire Missile Defense Agency awards Lockheed Martin with $327M contract for Aegis BMD 6.0 capability – 09/03/2019 – Defense Blog Missile Defense Agency: ‘Kill vehicle’ contract cancellation won’t affect Greely expansion – 09/03/2019 – Alaska Public Media THREAT NEWS Russia’s Plans to Counter U.S. Missile Defense Will Destroy the World—From Underwater – 09/03/2019 – The National Interest Putin says Russia will make new missiles, warns of arms race – 09/05/2019 - Reuters Iran Unveils latest military drone in ceremony – 09/05/2019 - UPI North Korea Says It Tested Crucial New Rocket Launch System – 09/05/2019 – NBCmiami Putting North Korea’s New Short-Range Missiles Into Perspective – 09/06/2019 – 38 North N. Korea pursues nuclear weapons programme, evades sanctions: UN – 09/06/2019 – Yahoo Saudi air defenses destroy ballistic missile fired fom Yemen: Arab Coalition – 09/06/2019 – Al Arabiya English MAKS 2019: Stealthy Chinese Target, and Iranian Cruise Missile – 09/06/2019 – AINonline A WEEK AFTER HEZBOLLAH ATTACK, IS ISRAEL’S HOME FRONT READY FOR WAR? – 09/06/2019 – The Jerusalem Post OTHER NEWS How The Space Development Agency Can Succeed – 09/04/2019 – Breaking Defense US sanctions Iran’s space program for first time over ballistic missile work – 09/05/2019 – Fox News New report reveals why Trump really shouldn’t be shrugging off North Korea’s short-range missile tests – 09/06/2019 – Business Insider Stay Connected: ‌ ‌ ‌ 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!