Air Force Global Stroke Command airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base test launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Photo: U.S. Air Force.
By Richard Abott |
9 years ago |
10/21/2015

U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command officials from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., successfully test launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. on early Wednesday morning, the Air Force said.

The launch occurred at 5:45 a.m. with an ICBM equipped with a test reentry vehicle containing a telemetry package used for operational testing. The reentry vehicle traveled about 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the Air Force said.

Air Force Global Stroke Command airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base test launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Oct. 21. Photo: U.S. Air Force.
Air Force Global Stroke Command airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base test launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Oct. 21. Photo: U.S. Air Force.

“Test launches verify the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system, providing valuable data to ensure a continued safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent,” Global Strike Command said in a statement.

Test launches are selected from random ICBMs from one of the three missile bases: F.E. Warren; Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and Minot AFB, N.D.

At Vandenberg launch teams work under the direction of Air Force Global Strike Command’s 576th Flight Test Squadron with launch and range support from Air Force Space Command’s 30th Space Wing.