MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS January 19 - 24, 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Friday, January 21, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System intercepted a ballistic missile on Monday during a deadly attack by Houthi militants in Abu Dhabi, marking the system’s first known use in a military operation. On Sunday, January 23, the U.S. State Department said that it had ordered family members of U.S. Embassy personnel in Kyiv, Ukraine, to leave the country amid increasing concerns about a possible Russian invasion. On Monday, January 24, U.S. forces at Al Dhafra Air Base, near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, engaged two inbound missile threats with multiple Patriot interceptors coincident to efforts by the armed forces of the UAE. Also on Monday, China flew 39 warplanes toward Taiwan in its largest such sortie of the new year. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Excellence Enables Excellence At the core of our competency is the cauldron of excellence as we recognize our Nation’s best Missile Defenders of the year across our Military Services. We host this event here in Alexandria, Virginia, annually, on the commemoration of the first operational missile defense intercept... Click here to read more. Breaking Video: Ballistic Missile Intercepted by the THAAD System Over Abu Dhabi In a major milestone event for the World, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia group. This successful intercept is one of three successful intercepts... Click here to read more. Back to Back to Back In this first month of the new year, the world has witnessed a number of combat engagements by missile defense systems with both Counter UAS systems and, on a grander scale, with the historic first combat intercepts by the THAAD system. The first THAAD engagement... Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) Developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Army, the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) is a command-and-control (C2) capability that integrates air and missile defense systems to eliminate stovepipes and allow warfighters to use any sensor... Learn more about IBCS. Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) The Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) is a modern 360-degree, multi-mission sensor with a high degree of cross-functionality, interoperability, and modularity. It is the first sensor designed specifically for operations within the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense ... Learn more about the LTAMDS. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Lieutenant Colonel Tate Buntz LtCol Buntz is the Operations Officer for Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, where he oversees and coordinates construction efforts on Guam and works towards the establishment of Joint Basing Functional Areas. LtCol Buntz is responsible for enabling and projecting combat readiness through joint integration of Department of Defense assets. LtCol Buntz has spearheaded the establishment of the Joint Basing Functional Areas, directly enhancing Task Force Talon’s operations by augmenting resource management and training deconfliction for operations on North West Field and Andersen Air Force Base. LtCol Buntz has been instrumental to the Defense of Guam Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Mission. On multiple occasions with short notice, LtCol Buntz has provided hangar facilities and 7,000 square feet space for the 14 critical THAAD pieces of equipment in response to real-world typhoon contingencies. His facilitation of cross-communication ensures theater-level training exercises and real-world contingencies are deconflicted and the impact to the Guam BMD Mission is minimized; ensuring the U.S. Military maintains a lethal deterrent in the Indo-Pacific Command Theater. LtCol Buntz was born on September 22, 1970 and is a Chuluota, Florida native. He graduated Boot Camp from Parris Island, South Carolina in December 1988 and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. Upon completion of his first enlistment, LtCol Buntz was honorably discharged in October 1992. After graduating the Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) combined program during the summer of 1998 and after completing his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December of 1998. During his career, LtCol Buntz has participated in three major campaigns: Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and multiple contingencies ranging from Honduras to the Philippines. His educational degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Art in International Relations. LtCol Buntz has been a single Father since June of 2003, and has two sons, Tate & Torin, who are both attending college at Santa Fe State College in Gainesville, Florida.  Click here to view all the awardees from the 2021 Guam Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Japan’s long-range strike capability and its implication for security in the Indo-Pacific - The Economic Times - 1/20/2022 THAAD, in first operational use, destroys midrange ballistic missile in Houthi attack - Defense News - 1/21/2022 Ballistic missiles intercepted over Abu Dhabi; U.S. State Department issues alert - NBC News - 1/24/2022 THREAT NEWS Houthis Fired Drones and Missiles in Abu Dhabi Attack, Investigation Finds - Wall Street Journal - 1/18/2022 Russia Masses Iskander-M Ballistic Missiles Near Ukraine As Its Build-Up Is “Almost Completed” - The Drive - 1/20/2022 US Navy warship challenges Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea - CNN - 1/22/2022 U.S. Orders Family Members of Embassy Staff to Leave Ukraine - The New York Times - 1/24/2022 China sends 39 warplanes toward Taiwan, largest in new year - ABC News - 1/24/2022 Iran, China and Russia hold naval drills in north Indian Ocean - CNN News - 1/24/2022 OTHER NEWS Upgraded Arrow-3 test has kinetic kill on simulated Iranian ballistic missile - Breaking Defense - 1/19/2022 Uzbekistan poised to produce its own military drones - Eurasianet - 1/22/2022 Stay Connected: ‌ ‌ ‌ MDAA | 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!