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Minuteman III Was Launched From California and Traveled 6,750 Km to the Pacific, Reinforcing the U.S. Nuclear Deterrence Strategy During the Transition to a New Missile.
The United States Successfully Conducted a Launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Minuteman III This Week.
The test, conducted from California, reinforced the American nuclear deterrence strategy at a time of transition to next-generation weaponry.
Launch Departed From California
The unarmed Minuteman III missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Tuesday morning.
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The Mark-21 reentry vehicle traveled approximately 6,750 km over the Pacific Ocean and struck the target at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
According to the Air Force Global Strike Command, the test reinforces the strength of the United States’ nuclear triad.
This structure includes intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), ballistic missile submarines, and nuclear-capable bombers.
Strength and Routine
General Thomas Bussiere, commander of the Global Strike Command, stated that the launch reinforces the readiness of the country’s nuclear forces.
He highlighted the work of the military personnel involved in the operation: “This powerful safeguard is maintained by dedicated airmen – missileers, defenders, helicopter operators, and the teams that support them – who ensure the safety of the nation and its allies.”
U.S. authorities emphasized that the test was not a response to any specific event in the world.
It is part of a series of routine exercises, which have already totaled over 300 launches. The intention is to test, validate, and maintain the effectiveness and reliability of the nuclear deterrence capability.
Structure and Operation
The 377th Test and Evaluation Group, based at Vandenberg, coordinated the operation. It is the only U.S. unit dedicated to testing intercontinental missiles.
Colonel Dustin Harmon, commander of the group, defined the Minuteman III as “the foundation of our nation’s strategic deterrence.”
Teams from the 90th Missile Wing at FE Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming and the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana participated in the mission, ensuring the system’s preparation and maintenance.
Technical Evaluation in the Pacific
The missile’s performance was monitored by advanced sensors at the Reagan Test Site.
The site is equipped with radars, optical systems, and telemetry equipment that collect data during the terminal phase of flight. Lieutenant Colonel Casey Rumfelt, site director, described the test center as an “indispensable national resource.”
This launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile occurs as the United States prepares to replace the Minuteman III system. The new ICBM, named LG-35A Sentinel, is set to take over as the primary nuclear deterrent. The change is part of the update to the U.S. military strategy aimed at the future.
With 3,748 nuclear warheads reported in 2023, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration, the U.S. continues to invest in maintenance, testing, and modernization of its arsenal as a means to preserve its global influence and security.
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