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An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), equipped with a test reentry vehicle, is launched during an operational test at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Feb. 25, 2016. The 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb., conducted the launch with the support of the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg AFB. Strategic weapons tests support U.S. Strategic Command's (USSTRATCOM) strategic deterrence mission by verifying the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system, and provide valuable data to ensure a continued safe, secure, effective and ready nuclear deterrent. The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and USSTRATCOM, will use the data collected from this mission for force development. One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions, assigned through the Unified Command Plan, which include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Kyla Gifford) For more information, view the Air Force Global Strike Command Web press release: http://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/2612/Article/673654/ minuteman-iii-test-launches-from-vandenberg.aspx
160225-F-DD985-005.JPG Photo By: Adam Hartman

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), equipped with a test reentry vehicle, is launched during an operational test at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Feb. 25, 2016. The 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb., conducted the launch with the support of the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg AFB. Strategic weapons tests support U.S. Strategic Command's (USSTRATCOM) strategic deterrence mission by verifying the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system, and provide valuable data to ensure a continued safe, secure, effective and ready nuclear deterrent. The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and USSTRATCOM, will use the data collected from this mission for force development. One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions, assigned through the Unified Command Plan, which include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Kyla Gifford) For more information, view the Air Force Global Strike Command Web press release: http://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/2612/Article/673654/ minuteman-iii-test-launches-from-vandenberg.aspx


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