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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...

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled for launch from North Vandenberg Wednesday morning as part of AFSPC’s ICBM Force Development Evaluation Program. The six-hour launch window is from 12:01 to 6:01 a.m. The purpose of the launch is to verify the continued reliability and accuracy of the Minuteman III ICBM. Missile Combat Crews from the 90th Space Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., led by Capt. Matt Guenther, will launch the missile under the direction of the 576th Flight Test Squadron here. Capt. William Hojnowski, 576th FLTS, is the launch director. Col. Frank Gallegos, 30th Space Wing...

A Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket has lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California carrying a classified payload into orbit for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. Check our our Mission Status Center to follow the rocket's climb to orbit.

Two more U.S. service members working at the prison on the grounds of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (search) are in custody, under suspicion of espionage and possible improper communications with the camp's detainees, senior military officials told Fox News Tuesday afternoon. One of the accused is in the Navy, the other is in the Air Force, officials said. Their roles at the camp have not been disclosed yet, nor their ranks and religion. Fox News has learned they both were detained roughly two weeks before Islamic military chaplain James Yee (search) was arrested. Officials declined to tell Fox News...

<p>WASHINGTON — An Air Force airman who worked at the U.S. prison camp for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (search) has been charged with espionage and aiding the enemy, a military spokesman said Tuesday.</p> <p>Senior Airman Ahmad I. al-Halabi worked as an Arabic language translator at the prison camp for Al Qaeda and Taliban suspects, spokesman Maj. Michael Shavers said. The Air Force enlisted man knew the Muslim chaplain at the prison arrested earlier this month, but it's unclear if the two arrests are linked, Shavers said.</p>

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Air Force airman who worked as a translator at the U.S. prison camp for suspected terrorists has been charged with espionage and aiding the enemy, a military spokesman said Tuesday. Senior Airman Ahmad I. al-Halabi is being held at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, spokesman Maj. Michael Shavers said. Al-Halabi worked as an Arabic language translator at the prison camp for al-Qaida and Taliban suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Shavers said. The Air Force enlisted man knew the Muslim chaplain at the prison arrested earlier this month, but it's unclear if the two arrests are...

Minuteman III Launch Wednesday Morning[Source: Brian Webb, Rawhide Space Page II] A Minuteman III missile is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg AFB early Wednesday morning shortly before dawn. It's expected to be a spectacular view that will be quite different from previous launches that occured near or after sunset. During past missile launch events the WB6OBB repeaters in Santa Barbara have been used as a launch net giving up to the minute information on the condition of the launch including a count down. Because of the early morning hour it is unsure if this net will be active. WB6OBB Launch...

Vandenberg AFB Authorizes "Deadly Force" Against Trespassing Protesters By Associated Press Associated Press | March 20, 2003 VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) - Security forces at Vandenberg Air Force Base may use "deadly force" against protesters if they infiltrate the military complex if a war starts, officials said. Some anti-war activists plan to trespass onto base grounds in hopes of disturbing Vandenberg's mission and to vandalize sensitive equipment they contend helps guide the war effort. Vandenberg officials revealed Friday that military security police may shoot to kill, if necessary, to protect base residents and machinery. The directive has always...

ASTRONOMY/SPACE ALERT FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Brian Webb, KD6NRP Ventura County, California E-mail: kd6nrp@earthlink.net Web Site: http://home.earthlink.net/~kd6nrp 2002 December 18 (Wednesday) 05:45 PST ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LAUNCH POSTPONED This morning's Titan II launch from Vandenberg AFB has been cancelled because of a problem with the spacecraft. Launch is now set for January 7th. _______________________________________________ To subscribe or unsubscribe from this newsletter, go to: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/launch-alert Questions and comments regarding this newsletter and editorial contributions should be directed to kd6nrp@earthlink.net