An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Wednesday in an operational test under the direction of the Air Force Global Strike Command.
The test launch was at 1:13 a.m. and its purpose was to validate and verify the safety, security, effectiveness, and readiness of the weapon system, the Air Force Global Strike Command said in a statement.
“The Airmen and Guardians who perform this vital mission are some of the most skillfully trained and dedicated personnel in America’s Air and Space Force,” Col. Bryan Titus, Space Launch Delta 30 vice commander and launch decision authority, said. “These test launches demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent.”