The US Air Force launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) early Wednesday morning from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, sending it across the Pacific in a display of nuclear preparedness.
The 🇺🇸 conducted a test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.
The launch was made on February 19 from a mine installation at the Vandenberg base in California. The rocket was directed towards the test site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. pic.twitter.com/UfJDVubHWe— Real Libyan (@real__libyan) February 19, 2025
The missile, launched at 1 a.m., traveled more than 4,200 miles at speeds exceeding 15,000 mph before reaching a test range in the Marshall Islands. The Air Force stated that the test was routine, designed to verify the effectiveness and reliability of the US missile defense system.
The United States conducted a successful test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile on February 19th. pic.twitter.com/GcZz0xN3dM
— The Global Observer (@GlobalObserverX) February 20, 2025
The Minuteman III, first deployed in the 1960s, remains a core part of America’s nuclear deterrent. The missile system is designed to strike targets anywhere in the world within minutes and is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads.
🚨🇺🇸 : #BreakingNews
TheUnited States conducted a test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.The launch took place on February 19 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket was aimed at a test site near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific… pic.twitter.com/gf6XcAaiwX
— OSINT Expert (@OsintExperts) February 20, 2025
As part of standard procedure, the US military notified Russia and other nations of the test in advance to maintain transparency and prevent misunderstandings. Officials emphasized that this launch was planned years ahead and was not linked to current global developments.
I see that the @usairforce had a successful intercontinental ballistic missile launch in California. 🚀
15k mph is extremely fast. 🫡
— the Hardway 2.0 (@ColeH64469) February 19, 2025
Col. Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, stated that the test results would be used to evaluate the missile’s accuracy and performance. The military is in the process of replacing the Minuteman III with the Sentinel missile system, which is expected to begin deployment in 2029.
❗️🚀🇺🇸 – U.S. Successfully Tests Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile with a 13,000 Kilometer Range
According to a statement from Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) in California and the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), the AFGSC conducted a test launch… pic.twitter.com/LIajtaG88z
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) February 19, 2025
The US nuclear force includes 400 Minuteman III missiles, housed in underground silos in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota. As military leaders look to modernize the arsenal, routine tests like this remain essential for maintaining strategic deterrence.
