Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA -The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) successfully conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) early Wednesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
Designated GT 254, the launch was part of a routine series of tests designed to verify the reliability, operational readiness, and accuracy of the nation’s land-based nuclear deterrent.
A team of AFGSC Airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron initiated the launch from aboard a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft using the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) — a key backup command and control network for America’s ICBM fleet.
“GT 254 is not just a launch – it’s a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system’s ability to perform its critical mission,” said Lt. Col. Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron. “The data collected during the test is invaluable in ensuring the continued reliability and accuracy of the ICBM weapon system.”
The unarmed missile’s reentry vehicle traveled roughly 4,200 miles before impacting at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The site’s advanced sensors — including high-resolution radar, optical, and telemetry systems — captured data to help evaluate system performance and support broader defense research and testing.
The launch was overseen by the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, the Air Force’s only dedicated ICBM test organization. Airmen from all three AFGSC missile wings participated, with maintainers from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, providing technical support.
“This test validated the reliability, adaptability, and modularity of the weapon system,” said Col. Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group. “Through this comprehensive assessment, conducted by a dedicated team of AFGSC Airmen, we ensure the highest standards of integrity and reliability for the Nation’s ICBM system.”
AFGSC leaders emphasized that while the Air Force continues modernizing its ICBM fleet with the new LGM-35A Sentinel, maintaining the Minuteman III’s readiness remains a top priority.
“As we modernize to the Sentinel weapon system, we must continue to maintain the readiness of the existing Minuteman III fleet,” said Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. “GT 254 helps fulfill that commitment, ensuring its continued accuracy and reliability.”
The Minuteman III system has been a cornerstone of America’s nuclear deterrence since its introduction more than 50 years ago. Routine test launches like GT 254, conducted under strict safety protocols, ensure the system continues to meet performance standards as the U.S. transitions to its next-generation ICBM force.
