An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during an operational test at 1:35 a.m, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. ICBM systems require regular testing to verify system performance and identify any potential issues. Data gathered from Glory Trip 254 helps to identify and mitigate potential risks, ensuring the continued accuracy and reliability of the ICBM forces.
An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during an operational test at 1:35 a.m, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. ICBM systems require regular testing to verify system performance and identify any potential issues. Data gathered from Glory Trip 254 helps to identify and mitigate potential risks, ensuring the continued accuracy and reliability of the ICBM force. Credit: Tech. Sgt. Draeke Layman / U.S. Space Force photo

For the third time this year, an unarmed Minuteman III missile blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base for a test launch of the weapon system early Wednesday while also landing a spot as the installation’s 60th mission of 2025. 

The three-stage intercontinental  ballistic missile launched at 1:35 a.m. from an underground silo on North Base.

For this test, Airmen employed the Airborne Launch Control System while aboard a Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft to initiate the launch, according to Air Force Global Strike Command officials. 

Traditionally, Airmen in an underground Launch Control Center at Vandenberg initiate the key turn to send the weapon on its way for the test. 

Once the weapon launched, the military tracked the flight path of the reentry vehicle, or mock warhead equipped to collect data, to the planned target 4,200 miles away at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Central Pacific Ocean. 

This test, designated Glory Trip 254 or GT 254, evaluated the ongoing reliability, operational readiness, and accuracy of the ICBM system, Global Strike Command officials said. 

“GT 254 is not just a launch – it’s a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system’s ability to perform its critical mission,” said Lt. Col. Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron. “The data collected during the test is invaluable in ensuring the continued reliability and accuracy of the ICBM weapon system.”

Minutemen III missile tests occur a few times a year at Vandenberg. The two other tests in 2025 took place in February and May.

The test launches are scheduled years ahead of time with work starting months beforehand and are not in response to anything occurring across the globe.

A task force including Airmen from all three AFGSC missile wings — Malmstrom AFB, Montana, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming and Minot AFB, North Dakota — supported the test launch. 

Maintenance crew members came from F.E. Warren AFB to handle routine duties prepping the weapon while Vandenberg personnel installed test-unique equipment.

The Air Force has 400 Minuteman III missiles on alert near the three bases.

Wednesday’s tests occurred as the Air Force continues to work toward modernizing its ICBM force with the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system.

“As we modernize to the Sentinel weapon system, we must continue to maintain the readiness of the existing Minuteman III fleet. GT 254 helps fulfill that commitment, ensuring its continued accuracy and reliability,” said Gen. S.L. Davis, who assumed the helm of Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony Tuesday at the organization’s headquarters in Louisiana.

The test launch marked the 60th mission from Vandenberg in 2025. While most of those involved SpaceX rockets, six of the liftoffs involved other rockets and missiles.

And the launch year isn’t over. The manifest for Vandenberg calls for another SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket mission as soon as Thursday afternoon to deliver additional Starlink satellites into orbit.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.