Officials: US Launches Minuteman III Nuclear Missile Drill

June 4, 2024 TruthUSA

The Air Force conducted an unarmed missile test on Tuesday morning in California.

In a statement on Tuesday, the U.S. Air Force announced the test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in California.

The missile, which has the capacity to carry a nuclear warhead, was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Tuesday morning, as stated by the Air Force. This launch marks the first of two scheduled test launches for the week.

The reentry vehicle of the ICBM traveled approximately 4,200 miles to a test site in the Pacific Ocean, according to the Air Force.

Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere of the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) emphasized the importance of their nuclear mission and ICBM force in maintaining national defense and international security.

The Air Force described the launch as “routine” and part of “periodic activities” designed to display the U.S.’s nuclear deterrent efforts. Similar tests have been conducted 300 times in the past, according to the Air Force.

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This test launch was not in response to current world events.

Minuteman III ICBMs have the capability to deliver a warhead and travel over 6,000 miles, attaining speeds of approximately 15,000 miles per hour. These missiles are integral to the U.S. nuclear deterrent triad.

Col. Chris Cruise, 377th Test and Evaluation Group commander, highlighted that this test launch exemplifies the readiness and reliability of the nation’s ICBMs and the Airmen who operate them, reaffirming the commitment to continuous deterrence.

In a previous incident in November, an unarmed Minuteman III launch was halted over the Pacific Ocean due to an anomaly during a test launch from the same Air Force base in Southern California, as reported by officials.

The statement explained that an anomaly could stem from various factors related to the operational platform or test equipment, necessitating thorough analysis to determine the cause.

While the launch termination was attributed to an anomaly without further elaboration, it was described as a concerning failure by The War Zone, with observers noting a peculiar trajectory change following the launch.

amid heightened tensions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and amidst nuclear-related threats. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin disclosed drills near the Ukraine border involving tactical nuclear weapons.

According to a defense ministry statement released around two weeks ago, the drills entailed “practical training in the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” including nuclear-capable Kinzhal and Iskander missiles.

The drills took place in the Southern Military District, comprising Russian regions in the south, including territories bordering Ukraine, Crimea, annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and four Ukrainian regions under partial Russian control following events in 2022.

The defense ministry’s statement from May 6 mentioned that the drills were a response to “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials” towards Russia.

Tactical nuclear weapons encompass air bombs, warheads for short-range missiles, and artillery munitions intended for battlefield use. They are less potent than strategic weapons designed to devastate entire cities.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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