Air Force Global Strike Command crews successfully launched a Minuteman III ICBM last week about 5,300 miles from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., to a predetermined aimpoint in the Pacific Ocean about 200 miles southwest of Guam. It was the third and final operational test launch conducted by AFGSC this year. “The data gained from these launches allow us to maintain a high readiness capability and ensures operational effectiveness of the most powerful weapons in the nation’s arsenal,” said Col. David Bliesner, 576th Flight Test Squadron commander. The 576th FLTS directed and conducted the missile launch, while airmen from the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb., supported it. (Vandenberg report by Capt. Jamie Humphries)
Since President Donald Trump first unveiled his “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative in late January, much of the focus for it has been focused on space—how the Pentagon may deploy dozens, if not hundreds, of sensors and interceptors into orbit to protect the continental U.S. from missile barrages. But the Air…