MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS March 21st - 27th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, March 21, the United States accused China and Russia of “encouraging” North Korean missile launches by thwarting a united response from the UN Security Council on the issue. US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield slammed Beijing and Moscow for refusing “to engage in good-faith diplomacy,” and charged that their “obstructionism in the Council encourages North Korea to launch ballistic missiles with impunity.” Also on Tuesday, it was reported that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will visit the United States at the end of the month, stopping over in New York and California where she will meet a top U.S. lawmaker on her way to and from Central America to shore up ties with the island democracy’s few remaining diplomatic allies. With Beijing aggressively pushing to upend the U.S.-led international order, Honduran President Xiomara Castro last week said her country was looking to forge diplomatic relations with China, which means it would cut off official relations with Taiwan. The move would leave just 13 countries in the world that recognize Taiwan. On Thursday, March 23, it was identified that Russia could have its most powerful and quiet nuclear attack submarines on persistent patrols off either U.S. Coast in the next two years, the head of U.S. Northern Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. In response to questions from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) on the threat of Chinese and Russian cruise missile submarines operating close to the U.S., NORTHCOM commander Gen. Glen VanHerck said that the deployments of the Russian Yasen-class nuclear cruise missile attack boats have been deploying more frequently. On Sunday, March 26, Russia stated its plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus, President Vladimir Putin said Saturday. Moscow will complete the construction of a special storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus by the beginning of July, Putin told state broadcaster Russia 1. He said Moscow had already transferred an Iskander short-range missile system, a device which can be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, to Belarus. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS A Personal Perspective of March 23rd, 1983 "Forty years ago today, March 23, 1983, I was awestruck and giddy as a 22-year-old senior student-athlete at the University of Southern California, in the Strategic Defense Studies graduate program, led by Dr. William Van Cleave..." Click here to read more. How Many Times "“How many times must the DPRK violate its UN Security Council resolution obligations before China and Russia stop shielding the DPRK regime?” – Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United Nations Security Council meeting, March 21, 2023..." 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 Technical Sergeant Wesley S. Jordan TSgt Jordan is a Traffic Management Craftsman assigned to the 13th Space Warning Squadron (SWS) as Manager, COBRA DANE Logistics, Joint-Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER), Alaska. TSgt Jordan is a highly skilled transportation management logistician and critical to the demanding Missile Defense mission in Alaska. His initiative and diligent work ethic inspires his team in moving forward on the mission, the weapon system, and themselves. TSgt Jordan serves as a site logistics lead for the COBRA DANE missile defense radar located at a geographically isolated location in Alaska, providing improved quality-of-life, logistics support, travel coordination, information systems management, and site security administration actions. He expedites in-transit cargo to a secure site by preparing required shipping documents while enforcing DoD policies and directives. He directs upgrade projects by bridging communications between the Space Systems Command (SSC), United States Space Force (USSF), and Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center (PRSC) for critical support at Eareckson Air Station (EAS), Alaska. TSgt Jordan used his vast experience to fortify the logistics lifeline by processing over 870 documents to transport critical parts and supplies in support to the national missile defense mission. TSgt Jordan was lauded for his vital support in coordinating a time-sensitive delivery of 16 key assets which saved an $11.5 million power supply upgrade which directly affected the Space Domain Awareness and Missile Defense mission. His level of professionalism and tireless dedication led to him receiving a letter of appreciation from the COBRA DANE program manager for his outstanding support. TSgt Jordan was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on December 8, 1989. He attended Roanoke Rapids High School, graduating in May 2008. Afterwards, he enrolled at Chowan University, Murfreesboro, North Carolina as a double major in History and Secondary Education. Upon completion of his first year in college he subsequently enlisted in the Air Force and arrived at Lackland AFB, TX in July 2009 for basic military training. He has 13 years of active duty service with experience in locations at Washington, Kyrgyzstan, Germany, North Carolina, Kuwait, Republic of South Korea and Alaska. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS US to send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine faster than originally planned - CNN Politics - 03/21/2023 ‘Absolutely a quick study’: Ukrainians master Patriot system faster than expected - POLITICO - 03/21/2023 US Space Force seeks $16 billion to track hypersonic missiles - c4isrnet - 03/22/2023 US troops test THAAD missile-defense system’s remote control during South Korea drill - Stars and Stripes - 03/24/2023 Hirono presses Pentagon about need for Hawai‘i unified missile defense plan - Big Island Now - 03/25/2023 THREAT NEWS Russia boosts defences near Japan, accuses US of expanding Asia-Pacific presence - Reuters - 03/22/2023 North Korea fires cruise missiles as allies stage drills - AP News - 03/22/2023 Russia to modernize Moscow’s air defense systems - Al Arabiya - 03/22/2023 Russia presses along Ukraine front after reports of Bakhmut slowdown - Reuters - 03/24/2023 Several more attacks against U.S. bases in Syria after alleged Iranian drone kills American contractor, drawing airstrikes - CBS News - 03/24/2023 OTHER NEWS Only 7 NATO members hit alliance’s 2 percent GDP defense spending target in 2022 - Breaking Defense - 03/21/2023 Marcos defends US military presence, which China opposes - sfgate - 03/22/2023 U.S. Conducts Airstrikes in Syria in Response to Deadly UAV Attack - U.S. Department of Defense - 03/23/2023 China, US Navy spar over guided-missile destroyer in South China Sea - Reuters - 03/24/2023 BrahMos in talks to sell missile to nations in South East Asia, Middle East: CEO Atul Rane - WION News - 03/24/2023  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!