The 30th Space Wing, Vandenberg AFB, Calif., has officially activated a major portion of the new Western Range Operations Control Center—the Area Control Center. The first operation for the new ACC, which handles clearances for both aeronautical operations off the West Coast and launch operations from Vandenberg, was to work with Edwards AFB, Calif., testers on an F-22A engine performance and acoustical properties test flight. Still to come for the WROCC are a command management center, range control center, and mission rooms. Final activation is slated for fall 2007.
The Air Force conducted its first test of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in 2026 on March 3, launching an unarmed missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., equipped with two test reentry vehicles at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time.