The Air Forc
e successfully launched a Minuteman III ICBM yesterday from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands in a routine test to ensure the continued reliability and accuracy of the Minuteman fleet. The missile, which lifted off at 1:01 a.m. local time, traveled about 4,220 nautical miles westward over the Pacific Ocean before its three mock warheads touched down on predetermined targets. The test mission saw the return of the test model under which maintenance personnel from an operational Minutemen wing—in this case, the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.—worked with Vandenberg’s 30th Space Wing to conduct the launch and have the opportunity to perform in roles unique to testing. (Vandenberg report by 2nd Lt. Raymond Geoffroy)
Space Force leaders have been saying for months that they are uniquely prepared among the services to embrace the Trump administration's acquisition reforms. Now, officials from the Program Executive Office for Battle Management, Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence, or BMC3I, are implementing some of those reforms
