MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS January 1 - January 20, 2020 THE NEW YEAR IN BRIEF Click Here to Watch The Missile Defense Mondays Video On Wednesday, January 1st, the Korean Central News Agency reported North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced on the fourth day of the party Plenary Meeting there was no reason to remain unilaterally bound to a 2018 self-declared moratorium of nuclear and ICBM tests. According to the KCNA report, Kim Jong-un further stated the country should actively develop strategic weapons and said the world will soon witness a new strategic weapon North Korea will possess in the near future. On Wednesday, January 8th, Iran launched 16 ballistic missiles at two air bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq. Eleven missiles struck Al Asad Air Base, one struck a military installation near Irbil, and four failed to reach their target. Initially no casualties were reported from the attacks, but it was reported a week later that eleven U.S. troops were medically evacuated from Iraq and treated for concussion symptoms. Iran stated the attack was carried out in retaliation for the U.S. strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. On Sunday, January 12th, the Israel Ministry of Defense announced it had successfully completed a series of trials for an improved Iron Dome system. The ministry stated the series of tests “simulated future threats,” and Rafael’s VP stated there was “a success rate of 100%.” It was not released when and exactly how many tests were conducted. On Wednesday, January 15th, it was announced the Missile Defense Agency’s plan for a new Homeland Defense Radar in Hawaii has been delayed. An environmental impact statement was expected to be completed this year but is now expected to be completed in the fall of 2021. The radar was originally expected to begin construction in fiscal year 2021 and an initial operating capability in 2023. Click here to read all of the headlines from the week. MDAA ALERTS Titan Up In the aftermath of a crisis, it is the stability of persistent defensive capabilities and actions with a clear intent to preserve peace and deter impulsive reactions that could escalate further into conflict. In the Middle East, on the Korean Peninsula, in the Pacific, and in Eastern Europe where borders of cultures clash, are the most... Click here to read more. Intentional Grounding Iran’s calculated strategic way of deescalating a no win confrontation with the United States was to send a clear demonstration of its sophisticated ballistic missiles in volume and depth over 600 miles with precise targeting that overflew U.S. critical assets of lives and... Click here to read more. Recognition of Excellence At the absolute right time, for the absolute right reasons we honored America’s best of the best in leadership excellence displayed by their actions and selected by their commanding officers for those actions of achievement over the past year on missile defense. Click here to read more. "We Remain Ready to Fight Tonight" “We continue to send a message that we remain ready to fight tonight if necessary; and my second mission is to enable our diplomats, and we still believe that the best path forward is a diplomatic solution.” – Mark Esper, Secretary of Defense... Click here to read more. RECENT MDAA EVENT 2019 U.S. Missile Defender of the Year Click here to learn more about MDAA's 10th annual U.S. Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Fateh-313 The Fateh-313 is an Iranian-designed, short-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile. It is a development of the Fateh-110 series, but features an improved guidance system with the ability to strike targets with pinpoint accuracy within 500 km. Learn more about the Fateh-313 Qiam The Qiam is a short range ballistic missile produced by Iran. Declared operational in 2010, the Qiam has a reported range of approximately 800km (497 miles), is liquid fueled, and carries a payload of 746kg. The missile is purportedly based of the design of the Shahab-2, but does not... Learn more about the Qiam. Iron Dome (Israel) Israel’s current short-range anti-rocket, artillery and mortars system – Iron Dome – was independently developed by Israeli companies Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and IAI, before Raytheon joined the development process for the Tamir interceptor missiles in 2014, a condition of US funding. Learn more about Iron Dome. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Captain Robert Mathews Capt Mathews is the Deputy Chief of Training for the 460th Operations Support Squadron at Buckley AFB, Colorado. He currently commands the 29 member staff instructor cadre in the execution of six Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Mission Qualification Training courses and three operations training programs for 156 students per year, in support of four space warning squadrons. The Operations Support Training Flight, under Capt Mathews's guidance, oversaw the 460th Space Wing's Combat Mission Ready training program and was responsible for the technical proficiency of three-hundred certified operators. Also, he implemented a critical update for a new missile profile, cutting time devoted from development to system delivery by thirty-three percent, which increased missile warning accuracy and decreased reporting time by eight percent. Capt Mathews enlisted in the Air Force in September 1999 and completed Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas followed by Technical Training at Shepard AFB, Texas for Tactical Aircraft Maintenance. As an F-16 Crew Chief, Capt Mathews served in various locations around the world before retraining as a Paralegal. As a paralegal, Capt Mathews served at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.; Kadena AB, Japan; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; and deployed to Al-Udeid AB, Qatar and Camp Eggers, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2014, Capt Mathews was selected to commission through the Officer Training School (OTS) as a Space Operations Officer. After earning Distinguished Graduate at both OTS and technical training, Capt Mathews was assigned to 2nd Space Warning Squadron at Buckley AFB, Colorado, where he has served as a Systems Crew Chief and Mission Management Operator. After crew operations, Capt Mathews was assigned as the Officer-in-Charge of Procedures, Standards, and Evaluations. Click here to view the winners from the 2019 NORAD & USNORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year. MDAA IN THE NEWS The Mike Buck Show Riki Ellison on the Mike Buck Show on January 14, 2020. Riki and Mike discuss the recent Iranian ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops and plans for a new radar in Hawaii. Listen to the interview. Honolulu Star Advertiser A more than $1 billion missile defense radar for Hawaii has been significantly delayed, with Native Hawaiian cultural concerns emerging at one possible site on Kuaokala Ridge at Kaena Point and community worries about overdevelopment at two other candidate sites at Kahuku Training Area. Read the full article. What is a ballistic missile and why is Iran using them against the U.S.? – 1/10/2020 – Fox23 News Explainer: Missile system suspected of bringing down airliner: short range, fast and deadly – 1/10/2020 – Reuters Irán probablemente derribó el avión de Ucrania con misiles, dice Trudeau de Canadá – 1/10/2020 – Monitor De Oriente Dubai shielded from Iran attack by billion-dollar defence system that can repel strike – 1/10/2020 – Infosurhoy IRAN USED BALLISTIC MISSILES AND CRUISE MISSILES IN ITS STRIKE AGAINST U.S.: HERE’S THE DIFFERENCE – 1/10/2020 – Newsweek Iran’s ‘Balance of Terror’: Should Donald Trump Fear Iran’s Many Ballistic Missiles – 1/10/2020 – The National Interest How the US Knew Iranian Missiles Were Coming Before They Hit – 1/10/2020 – Wired What Iran’s missile attack on U.S. forces in Iraq may say about the Islamic Republic’s ballistic capability – 1/10/2020 – Market Watch Faster rockets, more warheads: What North Korea could gain from new weapons development – 1/10/2020 - Reuters NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS U.S. troops in Iraq have no American air defense protection from Iran, but Saudi Arabia does - 1/16/2020 - NBC News To combat new missile threats, the US Navy prepares to move forward with destroyer upgrades - 1/16/2020 - Defense News US mulls sending more missile-defense systems to Middle East: report - 1/16/2020 - Fox News ‘Massive Improvement’ In Accuracy Of Iran Missiles Over Scud-B - 1/15/2020 - Breaking Defense Navy accelerates new ship radar to support emerging ‘sea-attack’ strategy - 1/15/2020 - Fox News Israel intercepts rockets launched from Gaza Strip - 1/15/2020 - Washington Post New Radar System Gives Navy Longer Reach As Threats Get Faster, Smaller, More Numerous - 1/14/2020 - Breaking Defense Upgraded Israeli Iron Dome Defense System Swats Down 100 Percent Of Targets In Tests - 1/14/2020 - The Drive Japan defense chief Taro Kono tours Aegis missile defense test site in Hawaii - 1/14/2020 - The Japan Times South Korea reportedly moves Patriot missile defense battery to Seoul – 1/10/2020 – Stars and Stripes F-16 downs drone during cruise missile defense testing – 12/27/2019 – U.S. Air Force China, South Korea gap remains over U.S. missile defense on peninsula – 12/24/2019 – UPI Missile Defense Agency awards Raytheon $1 billion Standard Missile-3 IIA contract – 12/24/2019 – PRNewswire U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Poland Holds Change of Command – 12/24/2019 – DVIDS THREAT NEWS Eleven US Troops Were Injured in Jan. 8 Iran Missile Strike - 1/17/2020 - Defense One Russia is leading the world with its weapons, Putin claims - 1/15/2020 - CNBC ‘Massive Improvement’ In Accuracy Of Iran Missiles Over Scud-B - 1/15/2020 - Breaking Defense PHOTOS: Aftermath of Iranian ballistic missile attack on US-Iraqi base - 1/14/2020 - Washington Examiner Iran’s attack on U.S. forces exposes Pentagon’s challenges in stopping ballistic missiles - 1/13/2020 - Washington Post Iran’s attack on U.S. forces exposes Pentagon’s challenges in stopping ballistic missiles – 1/13/2020 – Washington Post Yemen: Houthis blamed for attack on military parade – 1/10/2020 – BBC Iran attack: US troops targeted with ballistic missiles – 1/8/2020 – BBC North Korea threatens to resume nuclear and ICBM testing – 1/6/2020 – BBC SAR Imagery Reveals the Presence of Concealed Submarine at North Korea’s Sinpo Naval Base – 1/6/2020 – 38 North Russia Says ‘Avangard’ Hypersonic-Missile System Now Deployed – 12/27/2019 – Radio Free Europe China, Russia and Iran to Hold Joint Naval Drills – 12/27/2019 – Military.com China’s test of sub-launched missile a threat to peace, retired captain warns – 12/27/2019 – Washington Times Satellite photos show North Korea expanding factory linked to long-range missile production: report – 12/24/2019 – The Hill OTHER NEWS Russia starts production of S-400 defence missile systems destined for India - 1/17/2020 - Air Force Technology Deadline? What Deadline? North Korea, US Try New ‘Strategic Patience’ - 1/17/2020 - Voice of America Top US Military General Says NATO Can’t Afford to Become Complacent: - 1/16/2020 - The Epoch Times Army Chief Describes 3-Pronged Great Power Competition Approach - 1/15/2020 - U.S. Department of Defense Iraq Considers Purchase of Russian Air-Defense Missile System - 1/13/2020 - Wall Street Journal Hawaii Air National Guard to create Space Force squadron - 1/13/2020 - Air Force Times Iraq Considers Purchase of Russian Air-Defense Missile System – 1/13/2020 - WSJ Hawaii Air National Guard to create Space Force squadron – 1/13/2020 – AirForce Times Stay Connected: ‌ ‌ ‌ 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!