US nuclear deterrent showcased with major ICBM launch
In a February press release, the Air Force confirmed that a joint team of Vandenberg Space Force Base Guardians and Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile with a 'single telemetered joint test assembly re-entry vehicle' from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
In the press release, the Air Force explained that the missile launch was a routine launch intended to 'demonstrate that the United States' nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, reliable, and effective in deterring 21st-century threats and reassuring allies.'
'Today's Minuteman III test launch is just one of the ways the Department of the Air Force demonstrates the readiness, precision, and professionalism of U.S. nuclear forces,' Acting Secretary of the Air Force Gary Ashworth said. 'It also provides confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrence mission.'
The Air Force noted in the press release that the U.S. military has conducted more than 300 similar tests. The Air Force added that the missile launch was part of the military's efforts to maintain a 'credible deterrent' and was not conducted as a 'response to current world events.'
READ MORE: Video: Trump threatens military force if Iran rejects nuclear deal
'Facilitating test launches from the Western Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base is a critical component of our mission and the national defense strategy,' U.S. Space Force Col. Dorian Hatcher, deputy commander of Space Launch Delta 30, said. 'Our Guardians and Airmen are dedicated to enabling Minuteman III tests to ensure a credible and effective deterrent for the nation.'
Col. Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, explained that February's missile test allowed the Air Force and Space Force to collect and analyze performance data, allowing the U.S. military to observe the reliability and accuracy of the missile system and support improvements to the system.
'The data we collect and analyze is crucial for maintaining Minuteman III while we pave the way for Sentinel,' Harmon said.
According to the Air Force press release, the U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile test launch program showcases the capability of the Minuteman III and helps the United States maintain its nuclear deterrent as a 'key element of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and partners.'
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