MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS October 11 - October 17, 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, October 11, it was reported that a day after a massive Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine that left at least 20 dead and its energy infrastructure damaged, Ukraine received some good news about badly needed weaponry. The White House promised to speed up delivery of two of eight promised National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS. In addition, Ukraine has received the first of four promised IRIS-T SLM surface-to-air missile systems from Germany, as well as four more M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) systems from the U.S. Also on Tuesday, October 11, North Korean state media released a series of pictures of ballistic missile launches the country had carried out between September 25 and October 9, including from the rare and extremely provocative shot over Japan last week. In doing so, officials in Pyongyang revealed a previously unknown capability in the country's missile arsenal, the ability to fire ballistic missiles intended to be launched from submarines from submerged launchers in lakes. While North Korea has mobile ballistic missile launchers, some of them gigantic in size, and has previously demonstrated the ability to employ ballistic missiles from trains, all of which enhance survivability, a lake-based launch concept could offer another level of protection. On Thursday, October 13, Defense Ministers from 14 NATO Allies and Finland came together in Brussels to sign a Letter of Intent for the development of a “European Sky Shield Initiative”. Spearheaded by Germany, the initiative aims to create a European air and missile defense system through the common acquisition of air defense equipment and missiles by European nations. This will strengthen NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense. On Monday, October 17, NATO will kick off its annual nuclear deterrence exercise known as Steadfast Noon. U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers are among the aircraft slated to participate in the event, which will be carried out over northwestern Europe and the North Sea. While Steadfast Noon is an established recurring exercise, this year’s iteration will be taking place amid heightened tensions with Russia after President Vladimir Putin threatened the use of nuclear weapons as a response to the success of recent Ukrainian counteroffensives. Moscow is also projected to hold its own annual nuclear exercises any day now. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. UPCOMING EVENTS Congressional Roundtable Discussion Series Please join us for a virtual discussion: “Missile Defense in Ukraine – Proven Here, Proven Anywhere” on Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (EDT) on MDAA’s YouTube channel. Click here to RSVP MDAA ALERTS 00700: License to Protect "In Troy, Alabama, on Wednesday of last week, we honored and recognized the team that made the production of the 700th Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor possible. The THAAD interceptors are kinetic energy hit-to-kill, single-stage solid propellent booster, infrared imaging seekers, with a very high probability of single shot-kill. Over 500 of these have been delivered to the United States to be utilized..." Click here to read more. Force Provider "Last week, we had the privilege to visit Fort Bliss, Texas, and the U.S. Army’s largest Air Defense Artillery theater enabler, the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC). The 32nd AAMDC’s force has been absolutely pivotal in ensuring Patriot, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and Short-Range Air Defense Units (SHORAD) units are ready to deploy around the world amid the calls to fortify Europe and support the efforts in the Russo-Ukrainian War...." 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. 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. Scott Gearhart Mr. Gearhart is currently a Future Operations Ballistic Missile Defense Specialist within U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) J31. For the past 15 years, he has planned and executed numerous ballistic missile defense (BMD) operations supporting USNORTHCOM. Prior to this current position, Mr. Gearhart supported the USNORTHCOM J5 as a BMD Policy and Strategy Specialist from 2007-2010 where he developed the USNORTHCOM BMD policy and strategy position and BMD Operations Plan development. Mr. Gearhart has been an employee at USNORTHCOM since 2003. As a “plank holder,” he held various positions within the USNORTHCOM J3 and was instrumental in standing up the command and the early development and execution of the command’s Quick and Rapid Response Force operations and Counter-drug operations. Prior to his employment with USNORTHCOM, Mr. Gearhart served in the U.S. Army for over 20 years. He retired in August of 2003. As a career Field Artilleryman, he served at various command, operations, and schoolhouse/instructor positions in all weapons systems ranging from Pershing Missiles, 105 millimeter, 155 millimeter, and 8 inch howitzers. His duty locations included: Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Drum, New York, and Germany. His Joint assignments included the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) J3, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)-United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) J5. His education includes a Bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio and a Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University in Mt Pleasant, Michigan. He received his commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Youngstown State University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program in June of 1983. He is married to his lovely wife Candy and has three children Dan, a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and stationed at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, California; Josh, a Deputy Sherriff in Teller County, Colorado, and Staff Sergeant in the USMC reserve; and Lauren, a Pre-school teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Scott and Candy are set to retire on July 29, 2022 and move to Pennsylvania to start another chapter in their lives. Mr. Scott Gearhart is a plank holder for USNORTHCOM, originally working in J5 but very quickly moved into the BMD mission set. Scott has been at the center of many significant milestones in homeland BMD: Activation of both AN/TPY-2 radars in Japan, Operational activation of SBX, Growth of our GBI inventory to name a few- primarily responsible for converting all of those significant events into operational direction and guidance published in USNORTHCOM Operations Orders. His dedication to the homeland BMD mission has been unparalleled and his contributions to overall mission success will have lasting effects on USNORTHCOM's ability to defend. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 NORAD & USNORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Ukraine’s experience spurs allies’ interest in ‘resistance,’ info war training - Breaking Defense - 10/11/2022 S. Korea says it has ability to intercept North's missiles - KSAT.com - 10/11/2022 North Korean provocations highlight continuing need for homeland missile defense - The Hill - 10/11/2022 Ukraine To Receive HAWK, Aspide Surface-To-Air Missiles From Spain - The Drive - 10/13/2022 Israel’s Arrow 3 Anti-Ballistic Missile System Eyed For New European Air Defense Alliance - The Drive - 10/13/2022 THREAT NEWS Russians bring Iranian instructors to Zaliznyi Port to launch Shahed drones - Ukrainska Pravda - 10/11/2022 After devastating attacks across Ukraine, the Kremlin’s hawks clamor for more - Los Angeles Times - 10/11/2022 North Korea claims test of two cruise missiles already deployed to carry "tactical nukes" - CBS News - 10/13/2022 Russians strike Nikopol with Grad MLRS 60 times, civilian injured Russians strike Nikopol with Grad MLRS 60 times, civilian injured - Ukrinform - 10/13/2022 N. Korea fires missile, artillery shells, inflaming tensions - AP News - 10/14/2022 OTHER NEWS Army seeks industry help on stratospheric drones, sensor payloads - Breaking Defense - 10/12/2022 As missiles strike Ukraine, Israel won’t sell its vaunted air defense - The Washington Post - 10/12/2022 Starlink’s market dominance affecting DoD’s hybrid network plans - Space News - 10/13/2022 Space Force commander cannot 'forgive' Russia for 'reckless' ASAT test - Breaking Defense - 10/14/2022 South Korea prefers US ‘strategic assets’ to nuclear weapons, senior official says - Stars and Stripes - 10/13/2022  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!