MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS December 8 - December 14, 2020 THE WEEK IN BRIEF Click Here to Watch The Missile Defense Mondays Video On Wednesday, the Russian Armed Forces released a video showing a recent exercise of its nuclear ballistic and cruise missile capabilities. Two days later, Russia announced it had successfully test-fired a Tsirkon hypersonic missile in the White Sea. On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed that Iran is developing an ICBM. This announcement comes just a week after Iran revealed plans to install three more centrifuges at its Natanz enrichment plant. On Saturday, the Republic of Korea announced deliveries of new Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles were completed in early November. The PAC-3 missiles are part of South Korea’s efforts to enhance its air and missile defenses amidst North Korea’s growing ballistic missile capabilities. Also on Saturday, the Ramstein Air Base in Germany experienced a potential incoming missile scare. The base was alerted of a launch but it was soon determined there was no threat and the missile launch was actually part of an exercise.  Also on Saturday, it was announced that Russia had completed a test of its new Vladimir Monomakh Borei-class nuclear submarine in the Sea of Okhotsk. The test included a launch by the Pacific Fleet of 4 Bulava missiles from an underwater position to a target 3,400 miles away. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Extraordinary Frequency Over the past 11 months, the world has witnessed an extraordinarily high usage of missiles, rockets, mortars, and drones in conflict areas, resulting in the killing of people and the destruction of infrastructure. It is a signal of the spiraling proliferation of offensive missile technology across 8 different armed conflicts... Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR) The United States has several Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR) at bases around the world and is in the processes of upgrading other early warning radars to ensure they are integrated into the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and able provide the system with... Learn more about UEWR. KH-101/102 Russia’s KH-101/102 cruise missiles are descendants of the Soviet era KH-55 missile. The KH-101 is the NATO designation for the missile carrying conventional warheads. It was first tested in 1995. When the cruise missile is affixed with a nuclear warhead, it is given the designation KH-102... Learn more about KH-101/102 Shahab-1 Iran’s Shahab-1 is a short-range ballistic missile derived from the Scud-B. The Shahab-1 has a maximum range of 300km, making it capable of striking several urban areas and military sites near Iran’s borders. The Shahab-1 is liquid fueled, and can typically carry a nuclear or conventional high explosive warhead... Learn more about Shahab-1. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Captain Gilberto Ortiz CPT Ortiz is a native of Hormigueros, Puerto Rico. He enlisted in the Puerto Rico Army National Guard (PRARNG) in August 2003 as a Military Police Soldier. In 2004 he went to One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Upon Graduation, he served as a driver in the 544th Military Police Company, PRARNG. In 2005, CPT Ortiz enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. After receiving his commission to 2LT in June 2007 as a Military Police Officer, he was assigned as a Platoon Leader in the 544th Military Police Company, PRARNG, and shortly after he was assigned as the company’s Executive Officer. In July 2009 he transitioned to Alpha Company, 49th Missile Defense Battalion where he was assigned as Platoon Leader. CPT Ortiz’s prior assignments include Platoon Leader, Alpha Company, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Fort Greely, Alaska; Sensors Operator, HHB, 49th Missile Defense Battalion; Deputy Director, HHB, 49th Missile Defense Battalion and Battalion S-2, 49th Missile Defense Battalion. He is currently serving as Senior Tactical Director, HHB, 49th Missile Defense Battalion. His military education / courses include Basic Officer Leaders Course (Phase 2), Military Police Basic Officer Leaders Course (Phase 3), Cold Weather Leaders Course, Special Reaction Team Course, GMD Basic Course, Army Space Cadre Basic Course, GMD Qualification Course, Introduction to Space, Air Defense Artillery Officer Reclassification Course, Air Defense Artillery Captains Career Course, OPSEC Level 2 Certification, Security Manager Course, Special Security Officer Course, Military Intelligence Officer Transition Course. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Puerto Rico English Language Proficiency Ribbon, Alaska Governor’s Distinguished Unit Citation, the Army Superior Unit Award, and the Army Basic Space Badge. He currently resides in Delta Junction, Alaska. He is married to Noeliana Valentin-Hernandez of Guayama, Puerto Rico. They have two sons, Danel (12) and Dylan (4). Click here to view all the awardees from the 2020 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year. MDAA IN THE NEWS Riki Ellison on the Mike Buck Show (12/9/20) The Riki Ellison on the Mike Buck Show on December 9, 2020. Riki and Mike discuss recent successful tests in Hawaii, the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and more... Click here to listen to the full interview. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Taiwan’s Long-range Radar System To Play Significant Role In Countering Chinese Attacks - 12/7/20 - RepublicWorld.com German industry lead prepares for possible collapse of TLVS anti-missile program - 12/7/20 - Defense News US Navy names Constellation class guided-missile frigate USS Congress - 12/7/20 - Naval Technology Space Development Agency’s missile-tracking satellites on hold as Raytheon files new protest – 12/8/2020 – Space News Grangeville native, Reardon, participates in major NATO exercise; training to coordinate forces in land, air, sea, cyber, and space – 12/9/2020 – Idaho County Free Press Navy wants to go ‘way faster’ adding laser weapons to warships – 12/9/2020 – Fox News AEDC’s Space and Missile Test Branch operates a diverse set of test and evaluation capabilities – 12/9/2020 – Edwards Air Force Base Hypersonics: SDA, Space Force Focus On Laser Links For Kill Chain - 12/9/2020 - Breaking Defense National Guard missile defenders claim top honors at Air Defense Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course – 12/11/2020 – DVIDS THREAT NEWS Russian Firm Begins Developing New-Gen Submarines - 12/7/20 - Defense World Iran plans to install more advanced atomic centrifuges underground: IAEA - 12/7/20 - Arab News Iranians guiding Houthi missiles, says captured spy - 12/8/20 - Arab News Saudi-led coalition says destroyed explosive drone from Yemen Houthis - 12/8/20 - Reuters Russian ground forces receive over 2,500 new pieces of armament in 2020 - 12/9/20 - Tass Houthi missiles latest threat to fragile Yemeni government - 12/10/20 - Al-Monitor Russia Military Shows Off Nuclear Forces with Air, Land and Sea Missile Launches - 12/10/20 - Newsweek Digital Netanyahu confirms: Iran is building ICBM - 12/11/20 - Israel Defense Russian Navy frigate test-fires Tsirkon hypersonic missile from White Sea - 12/11/20 - Tass OTHER NEWS Russia waiting for Turkey to work out second S-400 missile system deal: Official - 12/8/20 - GlobalSecurity.org Cruise missiles to be fought at strategic level – Part 1 - 12/9/20 - Army Recognition Cruise missiles to be fought at strategic level – Part 2 - 12/10/20 - Army Recognition Trump administration to impose long-awaited sanctions on Turkey over Russian missile defense system - 12/11/20 - The Washington Post Stay Connected: ‌ ‌ ‌ MDAA | 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] About our service provider Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!