Article Posted on : - Jun 17, 2010

Ascending into space, a scheduled Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile successfully launches on Wednesday. Vandenberg Air Force Base photo

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (BNS): The US Air Force has test-launched a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from California.

The ICBM lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 3:01 a.m. Wednesday, the Vandenberg website said.

The missile's single re-entry test vehicle traveled approximately 4,190 miles before hitting its pre-determined target near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

"Team Vandenberg's coordination was phenomenal resulting in a seamless launch operation," said Col. Steven Winters, the 30th Space Wing vice commander.

ICBM analysts, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, will use the data collected from this mission for continuing force development evaluation.

The flight test was the first for the 576th Flight Test Squadron since its realignment under Air Force Global Strike Command.