THIS WEEK IN MISSILE DEFENSE
November 16 - November 22, 2019
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On Tuesday, the Defense Intelligence Agency released its 2019 report on Iran’s Military Power. The report mentions three core capabilities of Iran’s military, a vast arsenal of ballistic missiles, naval forces capable of threatening navigation, and use of partners and proxies abroad.
Also on Tuesday, The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) selected three teams to design Pit Boss, an autonomous mission management system intended for Project Blackjack. Project Blackjack aims to demonstrate the value of a large proliferated constellation of low earth orbit satellites for a variety of military uses, including the tracking of ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
Additionally on Tuesday, Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted four rockets fired from Syria towards the Golan Heights. Media outlets reported Israeli military sources believed the rockets were launched by Iran or an Iranian proxy. Explosions in Damascus were reported later in the day, which were believed to be an Israeli strike.
On Thursday, Iran started an air defense exercise, called Guardians of Velayat Sky-98. The drill included several indigenous air defense systems like the Khordad 15 and Mersad-16. Iran said all targets were successfully shot down during the exercise.
On Friday, South Korea reversed its decision to end its participation in the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan just hours before it was set to expire. South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a condition of the continuation of GSOMIA was Japan’s removal of restrictions on shipments to South Korea.
Click here to read all of the headlines from the week.
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Japan – the length of the Eastern United States, with an extension of its territory into the middle of the East China Sea – is a geographical and political buttress that parallels China, Russia, and North Korea. The three most capable and threatening nations to the status quo of the world order and to the national security of...
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In celebration of unity, partnership, and recognition of excellence amongst the air defense warriors of the United States and Japan in the defense of Okinawa, we recognized 44 Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines in their outstanding leadership in maintaining readiness in the defense Okinawa this past year.
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On the most threatened Peninsula in the world, with nuclear weapons and proliferation of complex missiles led by a spoiled and disrespected dictator heeding for U.S. and international reaction, we give recognition to the excellence of our Korean and American missile defenders on the...
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MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES |
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Israel’s current short-range anti-rocket, artillery and mortars system – Iron Dome – was independently developed by Israeli companies Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and IAI, before Raytheon joined the development process for the Tamir interceptor missiles in 2014...
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The geostrategic position of the Republic of Korea (ROK/South Korea) is difficult given its proximity to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK/North Korea), which may be fast approaching ballistic missile program readiness – as well as developing a weapons...
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Iran’s continued and open refinement of ballistic missile technology poses a serious threat to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States and the country has become a major proliferator of weapons and technology to terrorist organizations.
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MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK |
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Senior Master Sergeant
Carlos Martinez
SMSgt Martinez is a Superintendent for the 460th Operations Support Squadron at Buckley AFB, Colorado and is currently responsible for a 139-person total force and multi-national squadron. His squadron is responsible for the qualification and proficiency training of 385 space operators in 22 crew positions across four operations centers supporting the $32.2B SBIRS no-fail missile warning mission. Additionally, he is responsible for tactic, technique, and procedure development, as well as intelligence, integration of emerging capabilities, and participation in combat Air Force exercises and the Missile Defense Agency testing. SMSgt Martinez enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in December 1997 and completed Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas followed by Enlisted Undergraduate Space Training at Vandenberg AFB, California. In April 1998, he became an Aerospace Control Officer as a member of the 45th Range Squadron at Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida. In 2000, SMSgt Martinez was a Detection Radar Operator and Space Object Identifier for the 13th SWS at Clear AFS, Alaska. He was then assigned as a Space Console Operator and later upgraded to Missile Warning Crew Chief at the 7th SWS at Beale AFB, California. In November 2002, SMSgt Martinez was deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates where he was assigned as Crew Leader for the Security Escort Program in support of Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. In October 2008, SMSgt Martinez was assigned as the NCOIC of the Launch and Range Integration for the Space Tracking and Surveillance System Demonstration Program, Los Angeles AFB, California. After the successful launch of a Delta II carrying two missile defense satellites, he was assigned as the Superintendent of the Missile Defense Systems Squadron. In 2010, he deployed in support of Operation Sharp Sentry where he led a 23-member joint crew on a missile defense weapon system. In January 2011, he was assigned as the superintendent for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development Division where he launched our nation's first geosynchronous SBIRS satellite. He deployed in 2017 as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for USSOUTHCOM's major Air Force Mission, guiding Colombia's military on airstrike and cease-fire agreements, which led to the destruction of 24 illicit labs and 42 HVTs.
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Click here to view the winners from the 2019 NORAD & USNORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year.
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