[Launch Alert] Vandenberg Launches Minuteman III

Wed Feb 7 10:30:22 EST 2007

                             LAUNCH ALERT

			            Brian Webb
		         Ventura County, California
		        E-mail: kd6nrp at earthlink.net
	             Web Site: www.spacearchive.info

				         2007 February 7 (Wednesday) 07:26 PST
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                  VANDENBERG LAUNCHES MINUTEMAN III
                     Vandenberg AFB News Release

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – An unarmed Minuteman III
intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from North Vandenberg
today at 12:14 a.m.

The launch was part of an operational test to determine the weapon
system’s reliability and accuracy.

The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled approximately
4,200 miles before hitting its pre-determined target at the Reagan
Test Site located in the Marshall Islands.

The data collected will be used by the entire ICBM community,
including the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy.

The reliability and accuracy data will also be used by United States
Strategic Command planners.

Col. Jack Weinstein, 30th Space Wing commander, was the spacelift
commander.

Lt. Col. S. L. Davis, 576th Flight Test Squadron commander, was the
mission director for this launch.

"While it can seem routine, each launch test requires considerable
time and effort from the 200-plus Airmen in the 576th FLTS," said
Colonel Davis.  "As a result, USSTRATCOM planners will be able to more
effectively employ the nation’s ICBM force should it be required."

"An outstanding display of teamwork ensured 100-percent mission
success for the first west coast launch of the year," Colonel
Weinstein said. "We constantly focus on flawless execution of our
launch, range and expeditionary missions. I am extremely proud of the
collaboration between the 30th SW and the 576th FLTS."

----------------------------------------------------------------------