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The United States test-fires a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile to demonstrate the readiness of its nuclear forces. Photo/US Air Force via Mail Online
CALIFORNIA – The United States (US) military test-fired a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Wednesday (6/9/2023) early morning. The missile was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, to demonstrate the readiness of nuclear forces.
The Minuteman III ICBM was successfully launched at around 01.26 in the morning. The missile tested did not carry a warhead.
The American military described the test firing of this giant missile as a routine test scheduled years in advance. However, this happened when the Russia-Ukraine war was raging and the US’ feud with North Korea also continued to heat up.
The US Air Force Global Strike Command said the purpose of this ICBM launch test was to validate and verify the safety, security, effectiveness and readiness of the nuclear weapons system.
Col. Bryan Titus, deputy commander of Space Launch Delta 30, is the launch decision authority for the warheadless missile.
“The Airmen and Guardsmen who perform this important mission are the most highly trained and dedicated personnel in the U.S. Air Force,” Titus said.
“This test launch shows the readiness of US nuclear forces and provides confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of this country’s nuclear deterrent,” he explained, as quoted by Mail Online.
Vandenberg Space Force Base is home to the Air Force Global Strike Command’s 576th Flight Test Squadron, which is the only dedicated ICMB test squadron in the US.
Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said on Tuesday that the US sent a pre-launch notification to the Hague Code of Conduct.
