MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS June 1 - June 6, 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Wednesday, June 1, the US placed At least three U.S. warships in the Baltic Sea, two weeks ahead of international drills in the region, according to U.S. 6th Fleet. The ships include the, big deck amphibious warship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), amphib USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) and command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) which have been operating in the Baltic Sea ahead of the BALTOPS 22 exercise series. The exercise will include “amphibious operations, gunnery, anti-submarine, and air defense exercises, as well as mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal, unmanned underwater vehicles, and medical response" according to a NATO release. On Thursday, June 2, the US announced the decision to send Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Staying in line with President Biden's pledge not to send weapons Ukraine could use to strike targets hundreds of kilometers away inside Russia. Longer range systems such as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) would not be apart of the arms shipments. Biden said giving Ukraine weapons capable of striking Russia could escalate the conflict and potentially drag NATO into the war. Also on Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany will provide Ukraine with the German-made IRIS-T air defense missile system. The IRIS-T SLM air defense system is designed to engage and destroy a wide range of aerial threats including modern fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and tactical attack missiles as well as short-range ballistic missiles. Even helicopters and aircraft featuring small radar cross-sections and extreme maneuverability can be hit directly. At the end of April 2022, Germany had promised to boost its aid to Ukraine with an increase of military support for foreign countries to €2 billion, of which a large share will go to Ukraine to help it purchase weapons, said the German Finance Minister Christian Lindner. On Sunday, June 5, A barrage of Russian missiles struck Ukraine’s capital hitting unspecified “infrastructure” targets, according to Kyiv’s mayor. No one was reported killed, except for one person hospitalized with injuries. But the attack shattered a sense of calm in Kyiv, which hadn’t seen similar strikes since the April 28 visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Elsewhere, Russian forces continued their push to take ground in eastern Ukraine, with missile and airstrikes carried out on cities and villages of the Luhansk region, with the war now past the 100-day mark. Also on Sunday, North Korea fired eight short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) into the waters off its east coast in a move that Japan has called "unprecedented." They were launched from four sites in North Korea: The Sunan area in the capital Pyongyang, Kaechon in South Pyongan province, Tongchang-ri in North Pyongan province and Hamhung in South Hamgyong province. On Monday, June 6, South Korea and the United States responded to North Korea's launch of eight missiles Sunday by firing eight more missiles into waters off the east coast of the Korean peninsula. Seven were fired by South Korea and one by the US, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, which said they demonstrated that "even if North Korea provokes with missiles from multiple locations, (South Korea and the US have) the ability and readiness to immediately strike with precision." The missile exchange comes as North Korea intensifies its provocations in the region, amid heightened concerns that Pyongyang is preparing a nuclear test. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. 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. India Since China’s rise to power and threat to dominate the Asian continent, India and the United States have collaborated on defense issues in the region. For instance, both states are members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue—or the Quad—the strategic dialogue between... Click here to read more about India. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Specialist Gordon Isler SPC Isler is currently assigned as a Signal Support Systems Specialist with the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment. SPC Isler has performed two grades above his own from Exercise America’s Shield all the way through the mobilization for Operation Noble Eagle. He quickly established himself as a knowledgeable technical expert by creating an Enhanced Position Location and Reporting System Network Manager (ENM) network plan that was utilized for the live-fire exercise during the Culminating Training Event at Fort Bliss, Texas. He continually demonstrates to peers and superiors his technical expertise in the realms of waveform communication, networking, and computing. He has provided guidance to improve the performance and processes at the ENM desk and has proved invaluable on the contact team, frequently identifying resolutions to issues encountered on sites. SPC Isler is sought after for communication and network related issues and is a great asset to the Battalion and Operation Noble Eagle. SPC Isler’s dedication to service and professional excellence has been essential to the success of the communication section of the Ground Based Air Defense Battalion in the National Capital Region. His knowledge and expertise have elevated the communications section for Operation Noble Eagle and mission readiness. SPC Isler enlisted in April 2018. SPC Isler is currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of North Dakota. SPC Isler completed Basic Leadership Course while supporting Operation Noble Eagle. SPC Isler has spent his entire career after Advanced Individual Training with the 1st Battalion, 188th ADA Regiment. SPC Isler’s only deployment is Operation Noble Eagle (2021-2022). SPC Isler’s awards and decorations include two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. SPC Isler is married to Morgan Isler, they have one son Cade Isler, and they live in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. 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 Hawaii delegation backs off radar as military rethinks Pacific missile defense Hawaii’s congressional delegation is pulling back its support of a controversial missile defense radar after years of fighting the Pentagon to get it built here... Click here to read more. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED STATES INTEGRATE TO PROVE LETHAL DURING EXERCISE SOUTHERN JACKAROO - The United States Marine Corps - 6/1/2022 U.S. Warships Now in the Baltic Ahead of BALTOPS as Sweden, Finland Move Through NATO Membership Process - USNI News - 6/1/2022 Germany approves the supply of IRIS-T air defense missile systems to Ukraine - Army Recognition - 6/2/2022 Kyiv Cruise Missile Strike Highlights Need to Protect U.S. Cities - Scientific American - 6/3/2022 THREAT NEWS Ukraine To Get Guided Rockets, But Not Ones Able To Reach Far Into Russia - The Drive - 6/2/2022 Envoy says US, allies preparing for N. Korean nuclear test - AP News - 6/6/2022 North Korea launches 8 short-range ballistic missiles off east coast, South Korea says - CNN - 6/6/2022 Russian missile barrage strikes Kyiv, shattering city’s month-long sense of calm - The Times of Israel - 6/6/2022 OTHER NEWS Israel says laser missile shield to cost just $2 per interception - Reuters - 6/3/2022 U.S., South Korea fire missiles to sea, matching North’s launches - Politico - 6/6/2022 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!