This was a pivotal year for U.S. and allied missile defense and MDAA’s advocacy as we expanded our efforts to support these critical systems that have become more relevant, and more reliable, in our complex world. MDAA led the charge with relationship building and education to the public at large in advocating for increased deployment and greater investment in U.S. and allied missile defense systems across the globe. In 2015 MDAA significantly expanded its relationships around the world including Canada, Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Turkey, South Korea, and the UAE. MDAA had the honor of recognizing the excellence of leadership of U.S. and allied missile defenders around the world. We helped to enable a championship culture and team recognition with our eight Defender of the Year events in four countries recognizing seven allied militaries. MDAA engaged with key leaders in Congress and held seven Congressional Roundtable Discussions at the U.S. Capitol to build support and provide education on the need for integrated air and missile defense.

MDAA nearly doubled the number of major international and national advocacy events it was able to hold in 2015 compared to 2014. In 2015 MDAA hosted 27 events by the end of the year after hosting 14 in 2014. MDAA has strived to keep our advocacy priorities aligned with the best interest of our national security and the safety of the American public by making the world a safer place through our advocacy for missile defense. MDAA expanded its geographic reach significantly. For the first time, MDAA hosted the Japan Defender of the Year Award Ceremony with the Japanese military and visited the NATO Missile Firing Installation in Crete as a guest of the German and the Greek governments. MDAA had the privilege of hosting or participating in missile defense advocacy events in a total of nine countries worldwide.

In terms of public advocacy for missile defense, MDAA continued to support the systems by issuing forceful and accurate responses addressing the value of these critical assets. MDAA also continued to develop public support after major world and national events on the threat and the missile defense systems being tested and deployed to address the threat. MDAA also produced system, country, and region briefs for congress and the general public on key newsworthy and relevant topics to provide background information and serve as a resource for future researchers on the subject.

Finally, we were honored this year to deliver the Keynote Address to the 2015 Israeli Air and Missile Defense Conference and host the Chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain, in his home state. We also had the opportunity to contribute to bipartisanship by attending the first primary debates that will help select the Democratic and Republican candidates for the 2016 Presidential Election.

MDAA significantly expanded its efforts in 2015 to educate the public and advocate for the critical need of missile defense. In 2016 we will continue our advocacy efforts and become more efficient and impactful as we drive the support for integrated air and missile defense capabilities that will allow us to stay in front of the pace and growth of the proliferating threats around the world.

Click here for a print/download version of the 2015 Year in Review