MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS

September 27 - October 3, 2022

THE WEEK IN BRIEF

On Wednesday, September 28, the Pentagon announced that it will contract with industry for $1.1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including 18 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and other arms to counter drones Russia has been using against Ukrainian troops. The new weapons and equipment, being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, will be aimed at meeting Kyiv’s mid- and long-term needs and could take six to 24 months to arrive. The Biden administration, which has committed aid worth $17 billion to Ukraine, has been using presidential drawdown authority to send arms more quickly.

Also on Wednesday, the Army’s senior air defender and commanding general of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command talked air and missile defense during the 2022 Air Defense Artillery Symposium. Lt. Gen. Daniel L. Karbler, USASMDC commanding general, addressed the symposium at the U.S. Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Sept. 27, where this year’s theme was “ADA for Army 2030 – Enabling the Maneuver Commander.” The theme originated from Air Defense’s significant growth and modernization efforts to provide additional capability and capacity to the operational force.

On Thursday, September 29, it was reported that German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen announced that Germany will provide Ukraine with four batteries of IRIS-T air defense missile systems. These systems are still in production and the first IRIS-T and first air defense system will be completed at the end of October 2022. The IRIS-T air defense systems are manufactured specifically for Ukraine, and they are not in service with the German army, added the German Ambassador to Ukraine, Anka Feldhuzen.

On Saturday, October 1, North Korea test-fired another two short-range ballistic missiles, the fourth round this week of weapons launches that prompted quick, strong condemnation from its rivals. In an unusually strong rebuke of North Korea’s weapons programs, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said North Korea’s “obsession” with nuclear weapons is deepening the suffering of its own people and warned of an “overwhelming response” from South Korean and U.S. militaries should such weapons be used.

Click here to read all of this week's headlines.

MDAA ALERTS

Plethora

"Recognizing the growing sophistication of drones, missiles, and nuclear weapon delivery platforms, our theater-strategic designs may not be fully prepared to meet the Integrated Deterrence and Defense commitments we have with our Allies and Partners. We must contemplate the simultaneous use of these weapons by Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China...."

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The Defense of the World

"Today we celebrate a historic scientific achievement of defending the World. We recognize and congratulate NASA for its success hitting a moving target 6.8 million miles from earth. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), NASA launched a satellite through space in an effort to test our long-range targeting capabilities to stop future asteroids that may be on a collision course with earth. Using this...."

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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.

Taiwan Incursion Updates

Track the number and type of incursions in the Taiwan Strait, the number of missiles fired, aircraft crossing the ADIZ, and daily news highlights.

Track updates on the tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

Mr. David Boothe

Mr. Boothe currently serves in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Joint Operations Center (JOC) J31 team. He was born in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Boothe holds an Associate’s Degree in Business from Pikes Peak Community College (1996). Mr. Boothe retired in 2015 from active duty in the U.S. Army, after a 26 year career. Mr. Boothe’s previous assignments as a Federal Employee include Air and Missile Defense Specialist, HQ U.S. European Command JOC, Joint Activities ARJA in Stuttgart, Germany from 2018 - 2020; and Security and Law Enforcement Division, Leader, U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity in Pueblo Chemical Depot, Pueblo, Colorado from 2015 - 2018. Mr. Boothe’s previous military assignments include Research and Development Test Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Test Directorate at Ft. Bliss, Texas from 2011 - 2015; Operations Sergeant at the 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany and Forward deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar from 2006 - 2011. Other assignments and deployments include Platoon Sergeant at C Battery 1/44 ADA in Ft. Carson, Colorado; Squad Leader ADA Battery, Linebacker and Stinger, 1/3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Ft. Carson, Colorado; Squad Leader for B Battery, Linebacker, 5/5 ADA at Camp Hovey, Korea; Squad Leader for A Battery, Vulcan SP, 5/3 ADA at McCully Barracks, Germany; and Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and the Defense of Kuwait, A Battery 5/3 ADA assigned to 3rd Armored Division during the Gulf War. Other Operational assignments include Operation Seagull, Enduring Freedom, and Bright Star. Mr. Boothe has attended the Joint Aerospace Command and Control Course, ADA Senior Leaders Course, ADA Advanced Leaders Course, and the Missile Defense Officer/Operators Course. Mr. Boothe’s military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (8th), Army Achievement Medal (6th), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal (8th), National Defense Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Mr. Boothe is married to the former Ruth Ann Calvin of Carlsbad, New Mexico. They have four children: Waylon, Nathaniel, Sarah, and Noah. They also have eight grandchildren.

Mr. David Boothe is one of the first three Deputy Missile Defense Officers (DMDO) we have ever qualified and is also the only one currently manning the position. He is an extremely dedicated professional and remains flexible with the demands of the job and the ever changing operating environment. He is a lynchpin in USNORTHCOM’s constant development and improvement of the MDO and DMDO position as we make out way into the future.

Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 NORAD & USNORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year Award Ceremony.