A Minuteman Moment [Are you listening, Korea?]

Air Force Link ^ | 6/23/2004 | AFPN Staff

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

6/23/2004 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- An unarmed Minuteman III ICBM launched from here at 1:32 a.m. PDT on June 23.

The missile’s unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled nearly 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes, hitting a predetermined target on Kwajalein Atoll in the western chain of the Marshall Islands.

The mission was part of the Force Development Evaluation Program, which tests the reliability and accuracy of the weapons system. Quarterly testing is necessary because the U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile fleet continuously on alert must be mission capable, and missile combat crews must be ready to launch on a moment's notice, according to Jack Hokanson of the 30th Space Wing’s public affairs office.

The United States maintains ICBMs because there are still countries that display nuclear capability, added Mr. Hokanson.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from here at 1:32 a.m. PDT on June 23. The missile's unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled nearly 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes, hitting a predetermined target at the Kwajalein Missile Range in the western chain of the Marshall Islands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Stephen Cline)

[scan59]

4,200 miles in about 30 minutes. We need someone in office who can make quick decisions. That person is NOT John Kerry.

[NativeTxn]

Thanks, great picture! My husband was a Missile Launch Officer for Titan and Minuteman Missiles. We were fortunate enough to be at Vandenberg for a test launch in 1971. He didn't get to turn the key which was disappointing because Russian trawlers kept coming closer than they should have and it kept getting postponed or they would miss their window of opportunity but it was so beautiful and exciting when it finally launched.

[Sender]

Kerry would put a referendum on the ballot in November to see whether it should be launched, then propose a MoveOn/Zogby poll to see whether it should be recalled. Then blame Bush whether it hits or misses or never gets a vote.