An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile traveled 4,200 miles from California on Wednesday as part of an evaluation of the readiness of the nation’s ICBM system, officials with Air Force Global Strike Command said.
The test launch — designated GT 254 — took place at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The ICBM’s reentry vehicle came down at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
A team from the Air Force’s 625th Strategic Operations Squadron initiated the mission from aboard a Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft to test the effectiveness of the Airborne Launch Control System, a backup command and control system for the nation’s ICBM force.
“GT 254 is not just a launch. It’s a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system’s ability to perform its critical mission,” said Lt. Col. Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron. “The data collected during the test is invaluable in ensuring the continued reliability and accuracy of the ICBM weapon system.”
Vandenberg Space Force Base serves as the testing ground for what officials said are routine and periodic activities crucial for assessing the Minuteman III.
“Through this comprehensive assessment, conducted by a dedicated team of [Air Force Global Strike Command] airmen, we ensure the highest standards of integrity and reliability for the nation’s ICBM system,” Col. Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, said in a statement.
The Minuteman III missiles will continue to be operated by the Air Force until they are replaced by the new Sentinel ICBMs, which is expected to happen around 2050. The extended service life is due to delays in the Sentinel program, which has experienced cost overruns and scheduling issues.
