Local

Air Force test-launches Minuteman missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base

In this photo provided by Vandenberg Air Force Base, an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle is launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015.
In this photo provided by Vandenberg Air Force Base, an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle is launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. Airman 1st Class Ian Dudley U.S. Air Force via AP

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) – The Air Force says an unarmed Minuteman 3 missile has been launched from California’s Central Coast in the latest test of the intercontinental system.

The missile blasted off at around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc.

The Air Force says the missile carried a test re-entry vehicle that headed for a target area 4,200 miles away near the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

The Air Force routinely uses Vandenberg to test Minuteman missiles from bases around the country.

This story was originally published October 21, 2015 at 7:33 AM with the headline "Air Force test-launches Minuteman missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER