F.E. Warren AFB tests Minuteman III missile with launch from Vandenberg

U.S. Air Force ^ | August 02, 2017 | Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single test reentry vehicle Aug. 2, 2017 at 2:10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Vandenberg AFB, California.

While not a response to recent North Korean actions, the test demonstrated the U.S.’ nuclear enterprise is safe, secure, effective and ready to deter, detect and defend against attacks on the U.S. and its allies.

The ICBM's reentry vehicle, which contained a telemetry package used for operational testing, traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. These 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.

“This operational test launch highlights the commitment and outstanding professionalism of the 90th Missile Wing, the 576th Flight Test Squadron and our mission partners in the 30th Space Wing,” said Col. Dave Kelley, the 576th FLTS commander. “These test launches require the highest-degree of technical competence and commitment at every level and provide critical data necessary to validate the reliability, accuracy and performance of the ICBM force.”

F.E. Warren AFB is one of three missile bases with crew members standing alert 24 hours a day, year-round, overseeing the nation’s ICBM alert forces.

“I am extremely proud of the operators and maintainers from the 90th Missile Wing. This task force worked flawlessly alongside the absolute professionals from the 576 FLTS to make this mission a success,” said Lt. Col. Troy Stauter, the Glory Trip 223 Task Force commander. “Promoting the deterrence, assurance and strike capability of the Minuteman III could not be done without the dedication, professionalism and teamwork of the men and women of Air Force Global Strike Command."

The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, Department of Energy and U.S. Strategic Command, uses data collected from test launches for continuing force development evaluation. The ICBM test launch program demonstrates the operational capability of the Minuteman III and ensures the U.S.’ 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.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ian Dudley)

[ClearCase_guy]

North Korea: “We can send missiles up in the air and make them go a pretty long way.”

USAF: “We can send a nuclear warhead 4200 miles and drop it in a bucket.”

[DCBryan1]

USAF: “We can send a nuclear warhead 4200 miles and drop it in a bucket.”

Is our CEP THAT good?! I heard of house sized CEP, but not bucket. FWIW the Jericho III IRBM test a few years ago hit the towed barge in the Med.

[Mouton]

Why waste an ICBM on that piss bucket. Use a nuke tipped, or barrage of nuke tipped obsolete cruise missiles.

[eyedigress]

Give that whack-job a real taste of Red-Flag.

[G Larry]

In 1972 we were “putting them through the bedroom window”

It’s a shame Obama reduced all MM III’s to a single RV.

That needs to change.

(former Mk-12 R/S Nuke Weapons Tech)

[Tallguy]

Hammer of the Gods.

[DCBryan1]

Ive seen the Pershing II IRBM warhead impact test...THAT thing could be dropped into a vodka tonic in the Kremlin. It was amazing. I almost thought the test results were good counter intelligence on our part until recently.

[tje]

I spent a year at Vandenberg and got to see several launches. They were spectacular. I also got to see one destroyed shortly after launch - huge smoke ring.

Loved that place.

[b4its2late]

Here's the Video of the F.E. Warren AFB tests Minuteman III missile with launch from Vandenberg

[Inspectorette]

Spent 21 years at VAFB. Will never forget the Titan 34D that blew up in April of ‘86 - three months after the Challenger disaster.

[tje]

Wow.. good duty..

[Sawdring]

Thanks for the reference. That was a terribly magnificent explosion.

Titan 34D-9 with last KH-9 spy satellite explodes after launch from Vandenberg

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I’m sure the bucket reference isn’t literal but the aiming is damn good. I’ve seen video on the Kwajalien Atoll where every reentry vehicle hit dead center in the view of a fixed camera set up to view the impact and those vids were from 15 years ago.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

That mushroom cloud looked like a nuke itself.

A couple of summers ago I was outside the gate of Hill AFB, Utah and I saw a huge smoke plume (it was a weird grey-brown color) rise up behind a mountain. My first thought was that a plane crashed but then I realized that the mountain I was looking at was 35 miles away, so that “crashed plane” would have to have been a stupendous size that just isn’t possible. The forming mushroom cloud immediately reminded me of the old nuclear testing movies from the 50s and 60s. Hopefully it will be the closest thing I’ll ever see to an actual nuclear explosion. I found out later that it was an old Minuteman rocket motor that they blew up, that’s how you have to dispose of old explosives.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Very cool!