Posted on 03/30/2015 3:39:16 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test reentry vehicle today at 3:53 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
The test reentry vehicle impacted in a pre-established test area in the Pacific Ocean near the island of Guam approximately 40 minutes after launch.
All test launches verify the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system, providing valuable data to ensure a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent. The launch team, under the direction of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, included Airmen from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana and was the second test launch of a Minuteman III this week. The 576th Flight Test Squadron and 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, completed the first unarmed Minuteman III launch of the week from Vandenberg AFB March 23.
"An operational test launch requires hard work, months of preparation, and outstanding teamwork between personnel on both bases," said Lt. Col. Daniel Hays, the 341st Missile Wing Task Force Commander. "These launches are a visible reminder to both our adversaries and our allies of the readiness and capability of the Minuteman III weapon system, and without the dedication of the men and women from both the 576th and the 341st, this test could not have happened."
"The two launches from the past week were a full team effort between the 576th, and the 90th and 341st Missile Wings," said Col. Kelvin Townsend, 576th Flight Test Squadron commander. "Launching multiple missiles in close proximity to each other adds an extra amount of realism to the operational test mission we fulfill here. These test launches occur due to the training and strict attention to detail our people have; resulting in a reliable test."
Malmstrom and Warren AFBs are two of three missile bases with crew members standing alert 24-7 year round, overseeing the nation's 450 ICBM alert forces.
The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and U.S. Strategic Command will use the data collected from this mission for continuing force development evaluation.
The ICBM test launch program demonstrates the operational credibility of the Minuteman III and ensures the United States' ability to maintain a strong, credible nuclear deterrent as a key element of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and partners.
Months of hard work?
I thought they were supposed to be ready to fire on a moment’s notice...
6,000 miles in 40 minutes.
there was a time such information was considered classified.
then again, the only things classified these days seems to be certain birth certificate and the contents of a particular email server
All test launches verify the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system, providing valuable data to ensure a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent.
About time to test the reliability of the nukes onboard. There are some very nice targets in Iran just ripe for the test.
Nothing but net! Thank you to all the USAF reading this! I deeply appreciate the safety and security your silent, secret, and hard work makes possible for all of us!
6,000 miles in 40 minutes.
there was a time such information was considered classified.
That has been known for years.
Officials say they have orders to continue testing the Minuteman III until they’ve completed depleted America’s arsenal of ICBM’s. /s
Perhaps a little reminder to the folks at 35.6961° N, 51.4231° E?
Platform specific infrastructure exists in the place of deployment. The prep time might have been to replicate that at Vandenberg.
Sad testament to the times we live in.
The months of hard work includes not just the teams from the base launching the "Glory Trip". They have to pull the missiles and re-entry system for the test and transport them to Vandenberg AFB. The teams at Vandenberg AFB have to scrape grind and prepare the launch facilities for the next launch.
They are pad refurb teams that remove the launch debris from previous launches, then reapply "puckey" to all the seams and crevices that require protection from the exhaust gasses of the next launch so they can scrape it off again after the next launch.
They are the Electro-Mechanical Teams (EMT) teams that maintain and test the launch and launch control facilities and perform test on the launch unique electronics.
They are the Missile Maintenance Teams (MMT) that replace and maintain the missile suspension systems and the launch tube cabling after every launch.
They are the range people that set up and operate the telemetry systems and set-up the range safety packages.
They are the security forces that deal with all the useless protesters bussed in from all over to protest the mission of Vandenberg and try to disrupt the launches every chance they get.
I did the EMT part of that from 1974 to 1978 at Malmstrom AFB then Vandenberg AFB from 1978 to 1980. Then we were the the 394th ICBM Test Maintenance Squadron. Now that is all part of the 30th Space Wing.
It is grinding and generally thankless work for the Vandenberg crews. They do all the set up and prep and then the Launch Team gets the "Glory Trip".
Please see my post #14
It’s about time. Good test.
Maybe that was the reason for the National Alert Test. They wanted to put a scare into the Iranians.
Not to mention certain college records...
yours truly,
Hank Johnson
In one of the nicest places on the planet to live.
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