Howard Anderson

Political Science
September 23, 2013
Potthoff, Gina.2013. Vandenberg to Test Launch Minuteman III Missile Sunday, Noozhawk.
Published September 20. Available online at www.noozhawk.com.

On Sunday, A Minuteman 3 missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 3:01am.
The missile was reported to be heading for the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. This
unarmed missile test was one of the scheduled operations of this month. Air men from Minot
(N.D) Air Force Base and (F.E) Warren Air Force Base were a part of the launch team. The
Minuteman 3 is capable of carrying three warheads, which have a yield in range of 300 to 500
kilotons.
This article can be related to federalism, where the Government makes the decision on whether
they should have missile practices while the State is concerned about the impact it as on
civilians. The missile practices could lead to a World Wide controversy which grabs the attention
of other countries to think the U.S is planning on future attacks.








Vandenberg to Test Launch Minuteman III Missile Sunday
By Gina Potthoff, Noozhawk Staff Writer | @ginapotthoff | Published on 09.20.2013 4:12 p.m.
An unarmed ballistic missile is scheduled to launch Sunday morning from Vandenberg Air Force
Base as part of an operational test.

The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is set to launch from north Vandenberg
between 3:01 a.m. and 9:01 a.m. Sunday, according to base officials.

The missile's unarmed re-entry system is expected to travel about 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein
Atoll in the Marshall Islands, according to Air Force Global Strike Command.

The launch team, under the direction of the 576th FLTS, includes airmen from the 91st Missile
Wing from Minot AFB in North Dakota and the 90th Missile Wing from F.E. Warren AFB in
Wyoming.

Every test launch provides an opportunity to demonstrate the readiness, effectiveness and
accuracy of the weapon system, said Col. Lance Kawane, 576th Flight Test Squadron
commander. A tremendous amount of teamwork is involved in conducting the test launch
mission.

The probability of having to scratch the launch because of unfavorable weather conditions stood
at 30 percent Friday, according to Vandenbergs launch weather officer.

Upper level winds, which were forecast to blow at 10 to 15 knots from the northwest, were the
less predictable deciding factor, the officer said.

30th Space Wing Commander Col. Keith Balts will be the launch decision authority.

2013 has proved to be a busy year for the Western Range, Balts said in a statement. Whether
we are supporting a mid-morning launch of a Delta-IV or an early morning Minuteman III
launch, public safety is always our number one priority.

Information obtained during Sundays test launch, which will be collected by Air Force Global
Strike Commands 576th FLTS, will ensure the continued sustainability of the ICBM program.

Agencies across the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Energy are
expected to use the data to ensure a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent.