An unarmed Minuteman III launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base

An unarmed Minuteman III lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base late Tuesday night.

Base officials say the 11:01 p.m. launch was not a result of current world events, but “part of routine and periodic actions designed to demonstrate that the United States nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, and effective in deterring 21st century threats and reassuring ” our allies.”

According to base representatives, similar tests have previously been carried out more than 300 times.

“This test demonstrates what Striker Airmen will bring to the fight if called upon by the President,” Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, said in a news release. “The air launch confirms the survivability of our intercontinental ballistic missiles, which serve as a strategic pillar of our nation’s defense and the defense of allies and partners.”

The Minuteman’s recovery vehicle traveled to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Test Site in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on Kwajalein Atoll, about 4,200 miles away, the release said. .

“Reagan Proving Ground’s sensors, including high-precision metric and signature radars, as well as optical sensors and telemetry, support the research, development, test and evaluation of America’s defense and space programs. During these tests, RTS team members collect end-of-flight radar, optical and telemetry data to evaluate system performance.”

“This Minuteman III test launch demonstrated the readiness, agility and professionalism of Vandenberg, Air Force Global Strike Command and U.S. Navy personnel,” Col. Dorian Hatcher, deputy commander of Space Shuttle Delta 30, said in a press release. “Every test of this deterrent system at Vandenberg highlights the nation’s powerful capabilities and highlights the indispensable support our Airmen and Guards provide to national security.”