[Launch Alert] Minuteman III Launch Scheduled

[kd6nrp at earthlink.net]

The following news release was issued this morning by Vandenberg AFB Public Affairs. For information on viewing Vandenberg AFB launches, go to:

  http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

Information on photographing launches is posted at:

  http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbphoto.htm

Please be advised that because of time constraints, I may not be able to respond to questions regarding this launch.

Brian Webb
Launch Alert Editor



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2010 
Release No. 01-0910

MINUTEMAN III LAUNCH SCHEDULED

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - An unarmed operational test of the
Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled to launch from
north Vandenberg Sept. 15 between 3:01 a.m. to 9:01 a.m.

The launch is one of a series of operational tests to determine the weapon
system's reliability and accuracy.  The missile's single unarmed re-entry
vehicle is expected to travel approximately 5,300 miles, to a pre-determined
target about 200 miles southwest of Guam.  

A crew from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron will launch the missile
from the Airborne Launch Control System under the direction of the 576th
FLTS.  

"Our airborne crews provide survivable launch capability for the nation's
ICBMs by using the E-6B aircraft," said Lt. Col. Ron Allen, 625th Strategic
Operations Squadron commander.  "Like ICBM ground crews, ALCS officers are
on alert every day of the year to execute their mission, if called upon to
do so."

The 576th Flight Test Squadron, who will direct the missile launch, also is
responsible for installed tracking, telemetry and command destruct systems
on the missile in order to collect data and meet safety requirements.
Maintenance and operations task force personnel from the 91st Missile Wing,
Minot AFB, N.D. and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB,
Neb. are conducting operational tasks supporting the launch.  Col. Richard
Boltz, the 30th Space Wing commander, is the launch decision authority for
this mission.  Col. David Bliesner, the 576th FLTS commander, is the mission
director.   

 Test launches are vital in ensuring the most powerful weapons in the
nation's arsenal are safe, secure and effective, said Air Force Global
Strike Command officials.  

"Strategic deterrence and assurance of our allies depends on potential
adversaries being convinced of our nation's capability to employ ICBMs if
national interests are threatened," Colonel Bliesner said. "It is important
to demonstrate and assess the powerful capability and performance of our
ICBM fleet."  
 
The entire ICBM community, including the Department of Defense and the
Department of Energy, will use the data collected from this mission for
continuing force development evaluation.