[Launch Alert] Missile Defense Test Additional Information

[Launch Alert]

The following is a news release from Vandenberg AFB. It is different from today's Missile Defense Agency media advisory and it contains some information that was not in the Launch Alert that was sent a few minutes ago.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2013

Missile Defense test scheduled

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The 30th Space Wing,  the U.S. Missile
Defense Agency, and U.S. Northern Command are scheduled to conduct a flight
test involving the launch of a Ground-Base Interceptor July 5, between the
hours of 11:30 a.m. and 3:37 p.m. PDT from North base. 

The interceptor will defend against a ballistic missile target launched from
the Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, is the Launch Decision
Authority.

"The 30th Space Wing has been working closely with our Missile Defense
Agency partners here at Vandenberg for months to make this launch a safe and
successful one." said Balts. "It's an honor for us to be a part of a test
mission so critical to our national security."

The operationally-configured interceptor is designed to intercept and
destroy a ballistic missile warhead as part of the Ground-based Midcourse
Defense element of the integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System,
according to an MDA spokesperson.