Vandenberg AFB test-fires third ballistic missile

Air Force officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base test-fired an unarmed Minuteman-III ballistic missile during the early morning hours of May 20.

Launched toward the Pacific Ocean at around 3:30 a.m., the purpose of the test launch was to “validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy of the weapon system,” according to the Air Force.

“The data gained from these launches allows us to maintain a high readiness capability and ensures operation effectiveness of the most powerful weapons in the nation’s arsenal,” said Col. Keith Balts, commander for the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg, who’s also responsible for deciding whether or not a missile gets launched.

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