Vandenberg tests Minuteman III ICBM

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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) --  An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile successfully launched from here Sept. 7 and landed in the Marshall Islands about 30 minutes later.

The mission, conducted by people with the 30th Space Wing and the 576th Flight Test Squadron here and the 91st SW from Minot AFB, N.D, tested the reliability and accuracy of the weapon system.

“The Western Range and Vandenberg are national assets critical to verifying the capability of the deployed ICBM force that remains on alert at bases in North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming," said mission director Lt. Col. S. L. Davis from the 576th FLTS.

"The data we collect from each operational test launch allows the 576th FLTS to verify, validate and ultimately improve that capability which, in turn helps to maintain global stability," Colonel Davis said.

The missile’s two unarmed re-entry vehicles traveled about 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes, hitting predetermined targets at the Ronald Reagan Test Site on the Kwajalein atoll in the western chain of the Marshall Islands.

Designated “Glory Trip 187-1,” the operational test launch continues a long history of Western Range launches used to verify, validate and improve the capability of the nation’s ICBM force.

Each test is also a testament to the effort of the Airmen who make it happen.

“Each launch requires a tremendous amount of teamwork and I couldn’t be prouder of how everyone performed,” said Col. Jack Weinstein, spacelift commander and commander of the 30th SW.

People with the 576th FLTS performed maintenance activities to include missile emplacement and installation of unique missile tracking, telemetry and command destruct systems to collect test data and meet safety requirements. Missile combat crewmembers deployed here from the 91st SW and issued the final execute launch command.

Besides the Minuteman III launches, Vandenberg is preparing to launch several space missions during the next few months, including the last Titan IV mission.

“We’ve entered a very busy launch period at Vandenberg,” Colonel Weinstein said. “We’ve got several important, even historic, launches over the next few months. These missions are vital to our national security, and I know there isn’t a more exciting place to work in the world.”