Members of the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., recently conducted Giant Pace 12-2M, a Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman test, as part of Air Force Global Strike Command’s activities to confirm the launch-readiness of the nation’s Minuteman III ICBM fleet. “A SELM is the most complete test of the operational capability of our ICBMs, from day-to-day operation to issuance of the first-stage ignition signal,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Dillow, 321st Missile Squadron commander, in an Oct. 12 release from the base. This SELM was held Sept. 25 to Sept. 27. Airmen of the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., supported the test. AFGSC stages these simulated launches twice yearly with the service’s three missile wings. This year’s previous SELM, Giant Pace 12-1M, took place at Minot AFB, N.D., with the 91st MW. Along with SELMs, the Air Force conducts periodic operational test launches of Minuteman IIIs from Vandenberg. (F.E. Warren report by SrA. Mike Tryon)
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
