US Air Force Global Strike Command has successfully conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The November 5 test, designated GT 254, was uniquely initiated by a team of Airmen using the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) from a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft, validating a crucial backup command system for the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
This test was far more than a simple launch; it was a comprehensive assessment of the weapon system’s reliability and accuracy. Lt. Col. Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, emphasized the test’s critical nature, stating, “GT 254 is not just a launch – it’s a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system’s ability to perform its critical mission.” The data collected is essential for ensuring the continued trustworthiness of this cornerstone of national defense, reported Air Force Global Strike Command.
The use of the ALCS is a key component of the nation’s strategic deterrence. This system provides a survivable and resilient launch capability, ensuring that the ICBM force can be commanded and controlled even if ground-based launch centers are compromised. By executing the launch from an airborne platform, AFGSC demonstrated the flexibility and continuous availability of this vital backup system. The missile’s reentry vehicle traveled an impressive 4,200 miles across the Pacific Ocean, according to the command’s official release.
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The test was meticulously overseen by the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, the Air Force’s sole dedicated ICBM test organization. Col. Dustin Harmon, 377th Test and Evaluation Group commander, highlighted the successful outcome, stating, “This test validated the reliability, adaptability, and modularity of the weapon system.” He further credited the “dedicated team of AFGSC Airmen” for ensuring the highest standards for the Nation’s ICBM system.
The mission’s endpoint was the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Kwajalein Atoll. This facility, equipped with advanced sensors and radars, captured critical data during the missile’s terminal phase of flight. This information is invaluable for analyzing system performance and supporting the ongoing research and development of America’s defense programs.
This successful test underscores a collective effort across the command. Airmen from all three AFGSC missile wings supported the launch, with maintainers from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, providing essential expertise. As the U.S.
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Air Force progresses with its modernization program to replace the Minuteman III with the new LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system, tests like GT 254 are paramount. Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, confirmed this priority, stating, “As we modernize to the Sentinel weapon system, we must continue to maintain the readiness of the existing Minuteman III fleet.”
