Members of Task Force 21, the Minot Area Chamber EDC’s (MACEDC) initiative to support the long-term vitality of Minot Air Force Base, led a delegation of North Dakota lawmakers to California to witness a display of the readiness of the U.S. Air Force’s nuclear deterrent: the successful test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) equipped with two test re-entry vehicles.
A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Airmen launched the ICBM, which was pulled from the missile complex at Minot Air Force Base, at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time on March 3 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The launch was scheduled years ago and is not in response to world events.
This strategic military engagement with Minot Air Force Base and AFGSC included mission briefs and meetings with military leadership in addition to the test launch. The 18-member delegation led by MACEDC included 14 state lawmakers and four members of Task Force 21, whose purpose is to educate the local community, North Dakota officials, members of Congress, and the public on national security issues – particularly ones that affect Minot Air Force Base, the U.S. Air Force, and nuclear deterrence.
“North Dakota has long understood the responsibility that comes with supporting our nation’s nuclear deterrent. This successful launch underscores the strength, precision, and professionalism of the Airmen who carry out this mission every day,” said Brekka Kramer, President | CEO of the Minot Area Chamber EDC. “Bringing North Dakota leaders together to witness it firsthand ensures we are unified in our understanding of the work happening at Minot Air Force Base and the importance of supporting both the current Minuteman III mission and the transition to Sentinel.”
“As policymakers, it’s important that we fully understand the mission we’re supporting. This engagement provided valuable insight into the coordination, and dedication required to maintain a safe, secure, and effective deterrent,” said Sen. Majority Leader David Hogue. “North Dakota takes great pride in the critical role we play in our nation’s defense, and I remain committed to ensuring we support the Airmen and mission of Minot Air Force Base.”
The launch was the result of months of meticulous preparation involving multiple government partners. Airmen from the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base provided direct maintenance support, while operators from across all three missile wings initiated the launch.
During the test, the ICBM's two reentry vehicles traveled thousands of miles to a pre-determined target at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. This long-range flight allows engineers and weapons experts to collect invaluable data on the missile's accuracy and reliability, verifying that every component of the ICBM weapon system performs as designed.
“It is critical to test all aspects of our ICBM force, including our ability to deliver multiple, independently targeted payloads with absolute precision,” said Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. “This test validates the intricate synchronization of the weapon system, from the initial launch sequence to the flawless deployment of each reentry vehicle.”
As the Minuteman III remains on alert, the Air Force is committed to its replacement, the LGM-35A Sentinel, which represents the modernization of the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad.