MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS May 10 - May 16, 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday May 10, it was announced that the Medium Range Interceptor Capability was successful in its live-fire test on targets representative of cruise missile threats. The test, which occurred during a U.S. Marine Corps event on May 6, examined MRIC’s integration capabilities with the US Marine Corps’ AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar, Common Aviation Command and Control System, and components of the Iron Dome Weapon System, including the Tamir interceptor. This test is a first in a series designed to prove the MRIC’s ability to intercept cruise missile threats. On Wednesday May 11, the Army began relocating its THAAD missile defense battery on Guam from Andersen Air Force Base to the nearby Marine Corps base still under construction, according to military officials. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, which has been on the island for almost a decade, will move to nearby Camp Blaz. Relocating THAAD came as the result of recent evaluations by the Missile Defense Agency of the risks the island faces from hypersonic and ballistic missile threats, the commander of Joint Region Marianas told reporters on Guam earlier Monday. Also on May 11, Defense Minister Anita Anand said Canada is examining the possibility of joining the United States’ ballistic missile defense system, an openness that comes nearly two decades after Ottawa first rejected an invitation to participate. She stressed that strengthening continental defense extends beyond the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). “We are taking a very bold and aggressive look at what we need to do for the defense of the North American continent,” Anand said. Anand also shared new details about Canada's national defense review, outlining its focus on the emerging danger of hypersonic missiles, continental protection and the rising threat of war. Anand said the review will look to strengthen Canada’s domestic and continental defenses, including NORAD, as well as multilateral alliances, especially through NATO. She also highlighted Canada’s decision in March to pursue a deal to buy 88 F-35s. The government says it will spend up to C$19 billion to buy the warplanes to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s aging CF-18 fleet. On Thursday, May 12, North Korea fired three ballistic missiles towards the sea off its east coast on Thursday, even as it reported a COVID-19 outbreak for the first time. Three short-range ballistic missiles were fired at around 18:30 (0930 GMT) from the Sunan area of North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, where an international airport is located and where it fired its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-17, on March 24. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. 2022 NORAD and NORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year We had an exceptionally outstanding group of military and civilian professionals who are advancing efforts of the United States to fight and win against the ever-increasing threat of adversarial missiles - to defend our nation and our continent against the most pressing strategic threat of our time. On Friday May 13 2022, MDAA had the pleasure of announcing the 9th annual NORAD and NORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defenders of the Year in Colorado Springs, Colorado. MDAA ALERTS Lights Camera Action “Interceptor”, a Netflix original film set to be released on June 3rd, is based off the Sea-Based X-Band Radar that is a critical component operating in the Pacific today defending the United States from North Korean Long Range Ballistic Missiles. The film displays some very close variants of the technology and equipment behind... Click here to read more. Hatim The Dream The conception of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance in 2002 embodied the foundation of mission, principles, courage, value and leadership reflected by its founding board member and described by President Teddy Roosevelt. “Self-restraint, self-mastery, common sense, courage... Click here to read more. Oh Canada, Our Eyes Are Upon You Canada is looking to up its efforts in missile defense – moving beyond simply early warning to conducting a study on “what it takes to defend the continent.” On May 10th, Canadian Defense Minister Anita... Click here to read more. The Ultimate Strategic High Ground “It is clear that the character of war has changed, and space is foundational to that change.” – General Jay Raymond, USSF, Chief of Space Operations The Space Force is answering the call to enhance its national defense architecture with... 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. Sea-Based X-Based Radar (SBX) The Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) is part of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and is designed to detect and establish precise tracking information on ballistic missiles, discriminate missile warheads from decoys and debris, provide data for updating ground-based... Click here to read more about the SBX MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Specialist Noah Widmer SPC Widmer is currently assigned as a NASAMS Crewmember on Team 11, 2nd Squad, NASAMS 2nd Platoon, Shooter Battery, 1-188th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment. SPC Widmer has maintained a professional and calm demeanor while sharing his NASAMS general knowledge with his peers and has quietly become a leader amongst his peers. SPC Widmer dedicated over 60 hours to account for and maintain all mission critical NASAMS specific equipment, thereby ensuring uninterrupted air defense coverage for the assigned area of operation. SPC Widmer has studied over 400 hours on the Launcher system and demonstrated his knowledge by giving briefs to VIPs on five separate occasions and answering questions fully afterwards with praiseworthy responses. Team 11 has consistently maintained a high level of NASAMS knowledge, shared their knowledge with their peers, and volunteered for many other duties and tasks throughout the National Capital Region (NCR) mission. Team 11 was assembled one month before Exercise America’s Shield (EAS), and each Crew Member has a different Military Occupation Specialty. At the start of EAS, Team 11 struggled with some of their initial VIP site briefs and NASAMS general knowledge. Team 11 acknowledged this pitfall and concentrated their efforts to be the most knowledgeable and most prepared NASAMS Team. By the end of Culminating Training Exercise (CTE), Team 11 was helping other teams study site briefs and general knowledge and each crew member received challenge coins from VIPs for excellent performance during CTE. SPC Widmer began military service in 2017 when he enlisted into the North Dakota National Guard as a Small Arms and Artillery Repairer where he has spent his entire tenure. SPC Widmer has also earned his associate degree from Lake Region State College and is working on his Bachelor of Education at Montana State University. SPC Widmer is currently deployed for Operation Noble Eagle (2021-2022) in the NCR. SPC Widmer was previously assigned to Delta Detachment 1-188th ADA before being assigned to Shooter Battery NASAMS Platoon. SPC Widmer’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. SPC Widmer resides in Devils Lake, North Dakota and works for a charitable gaming company as well as a concrete foundation company. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 National Capital Region Air and Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. MDAA IN THE NEWS Does Hezbollah have a new Iranian long range cruise missile? – analysis "so it is important – it is the first time we have a glimpse into this system in the hands of Hezbollah,” according to Tal Inbar, a senior research fellow at the US-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance... Click here to read more. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS THAAD missile defense moving - The Guam Daily Post - 5/10/2022 Guam’s THAAD missile defense battery will relocate to new Marine Corps base - Stars and Stripes - 5/11/2022 Canada taking ‘comprehensive look’ at joining U.S. ballistic missile defense - Politico - 5/11/2022 Finland’s US ambassador defends push to join NATO: ‘Not a threat’ to Russia - Fox News - 5/13/2022 Medium Range Interceptor Capability proves effective in USMC advanced cruise missile defense test - Army Recognition - 5/16/2022 THREAT NEWS Ukraine-Russia War: Putin preparing for a prolonged war in Ukraine- US spy chief - The Jerusalem Post - 5/10/2022 N. Korea reports COVID cases, fires 3 ballistic missile tests - Reuters - 5/12/2022 OTHER NEWS Raytheon, Rafael & USMC Test Fire Cruise Missile Interceptor - Executive Biz - 5/10/2022 DIA posts MSIC RFI - Intelligence Community News - 5/10/2022 South Korea says it will respond ‘sternly’ to North’s military provocations - UPI - 5/11/2022 Marines hold ‘major warfighting exercise’ Down Under with Japan and Australia - Stars and Stripes - 5/12/2022 Raytheon announces the arrival of the first LTAMDS radar to the US Army test range - Defense Blog - 5/12/2022 China is under fire for raising the THAAD issue again - Yonhap News Agency - 5/13/2022 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!