Ballistic missile roars into skies above Vandenberg in first 2020 launch from base
An unarmed ballistic missile blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base early Wednesday morning for a developmental test intended to validate new components designed to extend the life of the weapon system.
The Minuteman III weapon, equipped with a mock warhead, popped out of its underground silo on North Base near Lompoc at 12:33 a.m.
While the roar and streak suggested the launch was like others to gather data on the weapon system, the Air Force said Wednesday’s test employed a spare missile from storage to validate flight worthiness of unspecified new or replacement components.
“Developmental testing provides valuable data to Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center for both modernization and sustainment of the ICBM weapon system,” said Col. Omar Colbert, commander of Vandenberg’s 576th Flight Test Squadron.
“The Minuteman III is aging, and modernization programs such as this are essential in ensuring that our nation has a reliable nuclear deterrent through the rest of its lifespan and beyond. Most importantly, this visible indicator of our national security capabilities serves to assure our partners and dissuade potential aggressors.”
This was the second of four developmental tests planned over the next several years to confirm the flight worthiness of replacement components that will ensure continued Minuteman III viability.
The first test launch of the current developmental series occurred in February 2019.
As in regular tests to confirm the health of the fleet of Minuteman III missiles sitting on alert, the mock warhead for Wednesday’s launch traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Airmen from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana; 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; and 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota, traveled to Vandenberg for the task force to support Wednesday’s test launch.
An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during a developmental test at 12:33 a.m. Wednesday, at Vandenberg Air Force Base. (Airman 1st Class Hanah Abercrombie / U.S. Air Force photo)
Defense officials say these test launches, which usually involve a Minuteman III missile randomly selected from the fleet on alert, verify the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system, providing valuable data to ensure a continued safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent.
Minuteman manifests are crafted up to five years ahead of a blastoff, with planning for each individual launch starting some six months to a year beforehand. Air Force officials say the tests are not related to world events or regional tensions.
Louisiana-based Air Force Global Stike Command oversees the intercontinental ballistic missile fleet with some 400 sitting on alert.
Wednesday’s launch also signaled a new era at Vandenberg. The blastoff became the first of 2020 for Vandenberg, which recently became part of U.S. Space Force.
Vandenberg’s primary unit provides key capabilities in support of space launch and missile test customers including include telemetry and radar, command and control, optics, and communication to ensure flights remain safely on their planned route.
“We are very proud to have accomplished this operation with our long-standing mission partner, Air Force Global Strike Command,” said Col. Kris Barcomb, 30th Operations Group commander, who was the launch decision authority.
“We look forward to building on this launch as we continue to provide robust, safe and reliable capabilities critical to the testing and evaluation of the ICBM program, and many space and range programs to come,” Barcomb said.
This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 2:46 PM.