MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS

October 18 - October 24, 2022

THE WEEK IN BRIEF

On Tuesday, October 18, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III pledged to do even more to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia's invasion. The men met at the Pentagon to discuss the Russian invasion, NATO defensive efforts and bilateral defense relations. Austin said the meeting comes at a timely moment. Russian President Vladimir Putin's unprovoked war of choice is eight months old and while the Ukrainian military has more than held its own against the far larger foe, more needs to be done.

Also on Tuesday, Iran promised to provide Russia with surface-to-surface missiles, in addition to more drones, two senior Iranian officials and two Iranian diplomats told Reuters, a move that is likely to infuriate the United States and other Western powers. A deal was agreed on Oct. 6 when Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, two senior officials from Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards and an official from the Supreme National Security Council visited Moscow for talks with Russia about the delivery of the weapons.

On Wednesday, October 19, as Ukraine awaits its delivery of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) from the U.S., they made a plea to Israel for its Iron Dome air defense technologies. Riki Ellison, the chairman and founder of Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance told Newsweek that NASAMS and the Iron Dome are for “different sets of targets.” “The Iron Dome is for rockets, not so much for cruise missile defense,” Ellison told Newsweek. “What you’re seeing today, the Iranian drones…they are not integrable with other foreign systems or U.S. systems.”

On Friday, October 21, Moldova’s Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatîi said that the country aims to buy new air defense systems following recent airspace violations by the Russian military. Nosatîi said that in the past days a number of Russian missiles were fired from the Black Sea and subsequently flew over Moldova’s territory to strike targets in Ukraine. Moldova is landlocked, but the country’s southern part lies in proximity of the Ukrainian Black Sea coast.

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

MDAA ALERTS

Missile Defense in Ukraine: Proven Here, Proven Anywhere

"Today we need to think through on, step back a little bit and think through on the bigger picture of what’s going on in the world. We are seeing President Xi of China and President Putin of Russia lowering deterrence. You saw the speech over the weekend by Xi...."

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

Colonel (Ret)

Barry Cardwell

COL (Ret) Cardwell is currently serving as the Deputy Chief, Strategy, Policy and Doctrine Division, Strategy, Policy and Plans Directorate, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). Upon retirement from over 31 years of active duty in 2001, COL (Ret) Cardwell worked at Schriever Air Force Base (AFB), Colorado helping to standup the ballistic missile defense command and control element. COL (Ret) Cardwell and five other prior service personnel were called together at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado on 22 January 2002 and asked to figure out the new “homeland security” command that was born in the aftermath of 9/11. Prior to going back into government service in 2005 as a civilian, COL (Ret) Cardwell was a Senior Military Analyst with SY Technology, working Homeland Security / Defense issues on the staff of NORAD and USNORTHCOM. COL (Ret) Cardwell entered active duty in 1970 upon graduation from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado with a Bachelor of Science Degree in personnel management and administration. He earned a master’s degree in management from Webster University in 1979. COL (Ret) Cardwell’s major assignments include Nike-Hercules Team Commander with the 559th Artillery Group in Italy; Battery Commander of Delta Battery, 2-44 Air Defense Artillery (ADA) (Nike Hercules) Battalion in the Republic of Korea; S3 and Executive Officer for 1-59 ADA Battalion in the Federal Republic of Germany; ADA Staff Officer for Army Forces Central Command (ARCENT) (Forward) in Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Commander of the 11th ADA Brigade in Ft. Bliss, Texas; Assigned to NORAD and U.S. Space Command as Command Director in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado; Chief of Staff for the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Ft. Bliss, Texas; and Chief of Staff for Ft. Bliss and U.S. Army ADA Center in Ft. Bliss, Texas. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Army Achievement Medal. COL (Ret) Cardwell is married to the former Tamara Woods. They have two children (Christopher and Aundrea) and six grandchildren (Makenna, Aynsley, Addie Jane, Ethan, Etta Mae and Nicholas).

COL Barry Cardwell currently serves as Deputy Chief, Strategy, Policy and Doctrine Division, Strategy, Policy and Plans Directorate, NORAD USNORTHCOM. Upon retirement from over 31 years of active duty service in 2001, COL Cardwell worked at Schriever AFB helping to standup the ballistic missile defense command and control element. With missile defense assignments dating back to the 1970s, it’s very fair to say that COL Cardwell has spent a lifetime dedicating his time and efforts towards missile defense. Finally, and I think COL Cardwell would agree, today is a GREAT day to be a Soldier!

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