An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was successfully launched Sept 19 from North Vandenberg at 7:31 p.m. PDT.
The launch was a team effort by members of the 30th Space Wing and the 576th Flight Test Squadron here and the 341st Space Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. The spacelift commander for this mission was Col. Wayne Louis, 30th SW vice commander. Capt. Michael Calvaresi, 576th FLTS, was the launch director. Members of the 576th FLTS installed tracking, telemetry and command destruct systems on the missile to collect data and meet safety requirements.
The mission was part of the Force Development Evaluation Program, which tests the reliability and accuracy of the weapon system. Members of the 341st SW, led by Lt. Col. Ronald Samic, launched the missile under the direction of 576th FLTS test conductors.
“I’m extremely pleased with this great team from Malmstrom,” said Mission Director Lt. Col. Michael Fortney. “The whole team of 576th folks, Lt. Col. Samic’s troops and of course our 30th Space Wing partners are doing a great job. I’m proud to be a part of this effort.”
The missiles’ two unarmed re-entry vehicles traveled approximately 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes, hitting pre-determined targets at the Kwajalein Missile Range in the western chain of the Marshall Islands.
