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.