Air Force Tests Unarmed Minuteman 3 Missile With Launch From California Base

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) -- The U.S. Air Force has test-launched an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile from California.

The missile lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 7:45 a.m. PDT Tuesday on a 4,200-mile flight over the Pacific to a target on the Kwajalein Atoll.

The Air Force Global Strike Command says the test was a success.

Col. Michael Lutton, 91st Missile Wing commander, said in a statement that the test was a visible demonstration of the nation's nuclear deterrent.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/276490671.html

[malthaussen]

1. Every time I read about one of these tests...

... I have visions of some poor USAF spin-doctor sheepishly trying to explain how they goofed and left the warhead armed... "Ooops, our bad!"

-- Mal

[SkyDaddy7]

8. I was stationed at Vandenberg AFB...

It is strictly a test launch base there are no nukes on the base at all. The missiles have warheads on them but they are "dummy" warheads that are filled with sensors blah bla blah.

No fear.

[Brother Buzz]

2. Damn I missed it

Weather permitting, I can see the plume, the exhaust trail, from Northern California if I know to look, and the shot is in the late afternoon

[DJ13]

3. Good

Now we have unarmed missiles ready for non existent threats.

[valerief]

4. LOL

[SkyDaddy7]

9. We have had these for decades...

Nothing new.

[eggplant]

5. "The Air Force Global Strike Command says the test was a success."

What do the people living on that Atoll say?

[malthaussen]

10. They have no comment atoll. n/t

[DJ13]

12. !

[eggplant]

18. Walked right into that one. n/t

[Dont call me Shirley]

6. When are these utter idiots going to stop their petty insane war making?

[EX500rider]

11. Unarmed missile tests aren't really "war making" n/t

[Dont call me Shirley]

13. What is is then, prepping for a picnic?

Stewie with an assault rifle? Really?

[EX500rider]

16. It's testing missiles to make sure they work..

....or do you think it's a good idea to give up our nuclear deterrent while China, India, Pakistan, UK, France and Israel still have nuclear weapons?

Personally I wouldn't trust some of those countries further then I could throw them.

And it's Stewie with a ray gun.

[EX500rider]

20. What makes you think there are no females in the Air Force?

How sexest of you. Could very well have been a female who pushed the launch button.....OH NOES!!! THE HORROR!!! A unarmed missile flew across the Pacific!

And a make believe cartoon ray gun is not the same thing as a real not made up assault weapon.

[TwilightGardener]

7. Cool. Go, Air Force.

[lsewpershad]

14. Of course America

has a right to do this because America is Lord of Planet Earth.

[packman]

15. And don't you forget it-

[EX500rider]

17. Very few countries aren't allowed to test missiles..

....mostly just North Korea who does it anyway.