MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS

March 14th - 20th, 2023

THE WEEK IN BRIEF

On Tuesday, March 14, Sen. Mazie Hirono wanted answers from military leaders about missile defense in the islands amid rising tensions in the Pacific, asking senior military brass about the Pentagon’s strategy for defending Hawaii. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono wants answers from military leaders about missile defense in the islands amid rising tensions in the Pacific, asking senior military brass about the Pentagon’s strategy for defending Hawaii.

On Friday, March 17, the Naval Facilities Pacific area of operations invested $2.5 billion into building up internal capacities behind the fence on Guam and the region by 2028. The $2.5 billion award is split between seven construction companies and joint ventures contracted to design and build facilities within Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii and other areas in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, including local company Core Tech International Corp. According to a news release, about 80% of the construction work will be done on Guam, with the remaining projects spread across the CNMI, Hawaii, and other areas in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Also on Friday, North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile to “strike fear into the enemies” as South Korea and Japan agreed at a summit to work closely on regional security with the United States and staged military exercises around the region. The missile, launched Thursday from North Korea’s main airport as leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter smiled from afar, overshadowed a summit held hours later between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minster Fumio Kishida. The meeting in Tokyo was partially aimed at rebuilding security ties between the often-estranged U.S. allies in the face of North Korean nuclear threats.

On Sunday, March 19, Ukrainian soldiers are being trained on how to operate a modern surface-to-air defense missile system SAMP/T in Italy, the Italian newspaper Il Giornale D’Italia reported. According to Il Giornale D’Italia, 20 Ukrainian soldiers started the training near Rome (Italy) at the beginning of March 2023. The Ukrainians learn how to down ballistic missiles and other aerial targets with the help of the Italian-French air defense system SAMP/T. This system is designed to take down cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as manned and unmanned aircraft.

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

MDAA ALERTS

“First to be clear, our missile defense today does not, from a policy perspective, defend against Russia or China.”– Gen. Glen D. VanHerck

"In the HASC Strategic Forces Subcommittee: FY24 Strategic Forces Posture hearing, Ohio Representative Mike Turner, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and..."

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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

Technical Sergeant Gabriel Ramirez

TSgt Ramirez is the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Pass and Registration Section for the 268th Security Forces Squadron, Clear Space Force Station, Alaska. In Pass and Registration, He is responsible for bolstering installation security through rigorous analysis of data, investigations, and proper authentication and documentation. To be able to provide this service, he is responsible for being proficient in using and training others on multiple programs including Defense Information System for Security (DISS), Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS), Air Force Justice Information System (AFJIS), and Open Fox. He uses the listed programs to control access to the installation. He is the subject matter expert in creating and tracking all Restricted Area Badges and DBIDS installation access cards. He provides Security Forces members with information that is vital to their safety and the safety of all personnel on the installation. He has 17 years of service and has served on Active Duty and in the Air National Guard. His first duty station was F.E Warren AFB, Wyoming. During his time there, he earned “Senior Airman Below the Zone” and was promoted above his peers. He participated in the Mighty Guardian exercise and was coined for his actions against a special forces unit. TSgt Ramirez was then assigned to Izmir Air Station, Turkey. While stationed in Turkey, he gained a basic knowledge of the local language. With that knowledge, he was asked to assist the local OSI detachment with “Operation Spyglass” and gained access to information that would help keep personnel secure. His last assignment on active duty was at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. While assigned there, he responded to a gate runner who was attempting to access the flightline. TSgt Ramirez’s quick response ensured the security of multiple aircrafts and saved the life of a veteran who had stopped taking their medication. His education surpasses over 99.3% of airmen currently serving and is currently a doctoral candidate in psychology. Some of his certifications include, Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Greenbelt, active shooter instructor, combatives instructor, motivational interviewing instructor, verbal judo instructor, crisis intervention certified, and is FEMA incident command certified. Even with all TSgt Ramirez’s accomplishments, his drive to improve and enhance his skills continue to shine through his actions.

Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony.