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Global Strike Command Minuteman III test launch successful

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jamie Humphries
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
Air Force Global Strike Command crews launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from north Vandenberg Sept. 17 at 3:03 a.m.

The operational test launch demonstrates the weapon system's reliability and accuracy, officials said.

The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 5,300 miles, to a pre-determined target in the Pacific Ocean about 200 miles southwest of Guam.

"We had been through so much training and so many dry runs that by launch night we were excited to execute the mission," said Capt. Amy Grant, launch director for the test launch.

"The launch process requires tremendous teamwork and involves months of preparation," said Col. David Bliesner, 576th Flight Test Squadron commander. "The data gained from these launches allows us to maintain a high readiness capability and ensures operational effectiveness of the most powerful weapons in the nation's arsenal."

The 576th FLTS directed and conducted the missile launch, which was supported by operations and maintenance task forces from the 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D., and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.

"This test launch was conducted to ensure nation's most powerful weapons are safe, secure and effective," said Lt. Col. David Schrader, 91st Operations Support Squadron operations director. "This launch validates the processes that we use day-to-day at the missile wings."

The entire ICBM community, including Air Force Global Strike Command and the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, will use the data collected from this mission for continuing evaluation of the nation's long-range missile force.

Captain Grant said that her role for the test launch gave her perspective. She said she saw the launch facility and the missile maintainers at work on site, which helped her understand the larger process.

The launch marked the third and final Minuteman III operational test launch conducted by Global Strike Command this year. All three tests were successful.

Operational testing of the Minuteman III began in 1968 and the first follow-on operational test launch occurred March 23, 1971, at Vandenberg.