MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS February 8 - 14, 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, February 8, the US approved a $100m deal for Taiwan to upgrade Patriot missile defense system to “help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region”. Also on Tuesday, Russia deployed hypersonic missiles to the Baltics in range of NATO capitals. Reports suggest as many as four or five Kinzhal-armed MiG-31s may have landed in Kaliningrad. On Wednesday, February 9, Ukraine requested that the U.S. deploy several battalions of THAAD mobile anti-ballistic missile defense launchers with radars near Kharkov on Ukrainian territory to counter Russia. On Thursday, February 10, the defense chiefs of South Korea, the United States and Japan held talks on the phone and pledged close cooperation to counter missile threats from North Korea. On Monday, February 14, the same defense chiefs met in Hawaii to further discuss the threat posed by nuclear-armed North Korea. On Friday, February 11, the U.S. agreed to help UAE replenish missile defense interceptors after Houthi attacks earlier this year. On Saturday, February 12, the US Secret Service, CIA and the Pentagon said that they had received intel of an 'exceptionally detailed' Russian invasion plan of Ukraine, scheduled for February 16. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Persistent Stare Our ability to detect, track, and target hyper-, super- and subsonic missiles beyond the curvature of the Earth persistently is the most critical element of missile defense – without it we lose. No matter how powerful our terrestrial radars are... Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES E-7 Wedgetail The Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) airframe, known as the E-7, is an air battlespace management platform, capable of detecting airborne threats including hostile aircraft and cruise missiles. Four countries operate the E-7: the Australian air force... Learn more about the Wedgetail. Tien-Kung (Sky Bow) The Tien-Kung, also known as the Sky Bow, is a medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system operated by Taiwan. The system is composed of the surface-to-air missiles, the canisters, and the mobile fire control units. The fire control unit includes... Learn more about the Sky Bow. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Sergeant First Class Matthew Crain SFC Crain was most recently the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Intelligence Section (S-2) at the 38th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade, at Sagamihara, Japan. SFC Crain is a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the highest order; his impeccable reliability, superior integrity, and selfless devotion to Air Defense and the Army profession is remarkable. SFC Crain’s leadership was extremely important to the 38th ADA Brigade during 2021. He was selected to act as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB) First Sergeant during a crucial period of high operational tempo for the Brigade. Despite being one of the most junior Sergeants First Class at the Headquarters, he was chosen to lead and advise the battery through critical operations which included the first Patriot Live Fire in Australia during Talisman Sabre 21, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command-level command post exercise Pacific Sentry 21, and the Brigade’s external evaluation during Combined Command Post Training 21-2. SFC Crain was exactly the right NCO for the job, as all missions were met with success and the Soldiers, NCOs, and Officers maintained operational readiness and high morale through a stressful period—all while still under COVID-19 pandemic conditions. SFC Crain was born in Fort Lewis, Washington on June 12, 1991. He graduated from Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona in 2009 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2010. He attended Basic Combat Training in Fort Benning, Georgia where he graduated as the Distinguished Honor Graduate and was promoted to the rank of Private E-2. He continued onto Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and earned the Military Occupational Specialty of Air Defense Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence Tactical Operations Center Enhanced Operator/Maintainer. His deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Resolute Support. As an NCO, SFC Crain’s assignments include Team Leader (Bagram, Afghanistan), Team Leader (Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland), Squad Leader (Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland), Sentinel Section Sergeant (Fort Stewart, Georgia), Battle Systems Operator (Sagami Depot, Japan), and Battle Systems Manager (Sagami Depot, Japan). SFC Crain is currently enrolled at American Military University and is working on a Visual Communications Degree. He has earned the Parachutist Badge and the Drivers Badge. He is a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Association since 2020.  Click here to view all the awardees from the 2021 U.S. Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. MDAA IN THE NEWS The Search To Replace The Air Force’s Geriatric E-3 Sentry Radar Jets Has Officially Begun - The Drive At a Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance roundtable last year, Niemi explained: “The reality is that [the E-3 is] a 50-year-old aircraft... Click here to read the full story NZ NFL Player on his career and picks for the Superbowl - Radio New Zealand In the US the Superbowl kicks off on Sunday night (Monday in NZ) and New Zealander Rikki Ellison will know exactly how the players are feeling ahead of the massive event... Click here to read the full story Riki Ellison Interview on the Mike Porcaro Show (2/10/2022) Riki Ellison and Mike Porcaro discuss missile defense, football, and national security. Click here to listen to the full interview. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS US approves $100m deal for Taiwan to upgrade Patriot missile system - The Guardian - 2/8/2022 US Army’s delayed battle command system begins operational testing - Defense News - 2/10/2022 S. Korea, US, Japan Agree to Cooperate in Countering N. Korea Missile Threat - KBS World - 2/10/2022 U.S. to help UAE replenish missile defense interceptors after Houthi attacks - Reuters - 2/11/2022 THREAT NEWS Russia Deploys Hypersonic Missile To Baltics In Range Of NATO Capitals - Forbes - 2/8/2022 Iran unveils long-range missile as Vienna nuclear talks resume - Reuters - 2/9/2022 Ukraine Wants THAAD Missile Defense Systems To Counter Russia - The Eurasian Times - 2/9/2022 ’12 Hurt’ In Yemen Rebel Drone Attack On Saudi Airport - International Business Times - 2/10/2022 Russian coastal defense missile troops wipe out enemy warships in Crimea drills - TAAS - 2/11/2022 Russia ‘will invade Ukraine Wednesday’, report suggests, as Britons told to get out while they can - Daily Mail - 2/14/2022 OTHER NEWS U.S., Japan, South Korea meet in Hawaii to discuss North Korea after recent missile tests - NBC News - 2/12/2022 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!