MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS April 12 - 18, 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, April 12, the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) released its first capstone effort to reform U.S. missile defense roles and responsibilities for the rapidly evolving era of great power competition. To meet the missile defense threats of both today and tomorrow, MDAA’s proposal outlines how and why the roles and responsibilities of the Services, Combatant Commands, and the Missile Defense Agency must change, and change soon. Also on Tuesday, April 12, officials of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in Huntsville, Ala., requested six more Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launchers, THAAD Fire Control and Communication (TFCC) systems, and support equipment. On Wednesday, the Navy’s primary research and development agency successfully tested an all-electric, high-energy laser, shooting down “a target representing a subsonic cruise missile in flight,” the Pentagon announced. The Office of Naval Research conducted the test in February at the Army’s High Energy Laser Systems test facility at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico but only announced the results this week. On Thursday, April 14, Israeli leaders announced that their new laser missile-defense system has successfully intercepted mortars, rockets and anti-tank missiles in recent tests. The Israeli-made laser system, known as the “Iron Beam,” is designed to complement a series of aerial defense systems, including the more costly rocket-intercepting Iron Dome. On Friday, April 15, Russia's defense ministry said that it had hit a missile plant on the outskirts of Kyiv and vowed that more attacks against Kyiv would continue if Ukraine continued to target Russian territory. The development comes as Ukrainian officials earlier this week claimed that their missiles had hit the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, the Moskva, which Russian authorities said later sank on Thursday after being set on fire. On Sunday, April 17, North Korea successfully test-fired a new tactical guided missile, raising fears that President Kim Jong Un, who observed the launch, is focusing on bolstering the country’s nuclear capabilities. The development comes as North Korea conducted a launch late last month of an intercontinental ballistic missile — its first since November 2017 — and could indicate that the Hermit Kingdom is ready to resume nuclear testing, South Korean and US officials said. ​ Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS The Roles and Responsibilities of Missile Defense Today, the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) released its first capstone effort to reform U.S. missile defense roles and responsibilities for the rapidly evolving era of great power competition. To meet the missile defense threats... Click here to read more. Virtual Roundtable: US Missile Defense - An Overview of Past, Current, and Future Roles and Responsibilities “This is a report that we spent over a year on. And the intent is to make our world a safer place by putting forward a defining historical report... Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Ukrainian War Updates Track the number and type of missiles used in the Ukrainian war, the number of casualties, and daily news highlights. Track updates on the conflict in Ukraine. Report: Roles and Responsibilities The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) released its first capstone effort to reform U.S. missile defense roles and responsibilities for the rapidly evolving era of great power competition. To meet the missile defense threats of both today and tomorrow, MDAA’s proposal outlines... Click here to read the full report. MDAA In the News Advocacy Group Seeks Missile Defense Reforms - The Washington Times - 4/13/2022 The Pentagon needs to upgrade and reform its advanced missile defense systems in the face of new enemy threats such as hypersonic missiles, according to a report by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Click here to read the full story. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Specialist Christopher Gibson SPC Gibson is currently assigned as a Senior Operator in Team 4 of the Minimum Deployment Package (MDP) Platoon, Headquarters, 1-188th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment. SPC Gibson has demonstrated a set of challenging and highly technical skills that go above and beyond what is normally expected out of an Air Defense Battle Management System Operators (14G) Soldier. SPC Gibson scored a 96% on the General Knowledge which is in the top 15% of the MDP. SPC Gibson standardized the MDP mission boxes by developing a load out plan with serialized 1750’s that increased overall platoon mission readiness. Additionally, SPC Gibson is highly sought after for his vastly superior knowledge of the 14G and the Air Defense mission within the National Capital Region. During mission planning for a potential outside the Continental U.S. MDP Mission, Team 4 took the initiative to help plan and coordinate the weighing and load planning of all MDP equipment in preparation for the planned airlift. This mission would have been the first of its kind and the work that they did set the standard for future units to follow. As a team, SPC Mandt and SPC Gibson identified the need for an update to the MDP Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in regard to the testing and configuration of the MOXA Modem in a classroom environment. This vital task had been overlooked by at least six MDP rotations that came before them. After conducting testing and troubleshooting with the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the team developed and trained the SOP resulting in consistent testing of the MOXA Modem over Cradle Point. SPC Gibson began his military service in 2014 when he enlisted into the North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) as a 14G. He is currently attending Dakota County Technical College pursuing a degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology. SPC Gibson’s deployments include Operation Noble Eagle (2017-2018, 2021-2022). SPC Gibson’s awards and decorations include the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, the Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the North Dakota State Outstanding Unit Citation, and the NDNG Basic Training Ribbon. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 National Capital Region Air and Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Report to Congress on Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense - Congressional Research Service - 4/12/2022 Missile Defense Agency (MDA) orders six more THAAD launchers to help defend against enemy ballistic missiles - Military + Aerospace - 4/12/2022 In electric-powered laser test, Navy shoots down cruise missile analog - Breaking Defense - 4/14/2022 Check out the Navy's extended-range, air-defense-killing missile - Defense News - 4/18/2022 THREAT NEWS Investigators: Drone that crashed in Croatia carried a bomb - ABC News - 4/13/2022 Russia says it hit Kyiv missile plant, pledges more strikes on Ukrainian capital - The Hill - 4/15/2022 Russia Tests Submarine-Launched Missiles in Sea of Japan - ABC News - 4/15/2022 At Least 7 Killed By Russian Missile Strikes On Lviv Near Polish Border - Forbes - 4/18/2022 North Korea reportedly launches new tactical guided missile - The New York Post - 4/18/2022 OTHER NEWS U.S. carrier, Japan defense force vessels conduct drills in Sea of Japan - Kyodo News - 4/13/2022 Israel successfully tests new laser missile defense system - Associated Press - 4/14/2022 Soldiers from Northeast Ohio awarded Purple Heart after being injured in missile strike - 19 News - 4/15/2022 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!