Image: from Department of War 
X @DeptofWar
By Benjamin Foster | Staff Writer with Agencies
The United States Air Force has successfully conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This test, designated GT 254, was aimed at assessing the reliability, accuracy, and operational performance of the missile system, ensuring that the U.S. nuclear deterrent remains fully capable as the military transitions to the next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM.
The launch, part of a routine series of tests, was conducted by the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, which emphasized the importance of these exercises in maintaining the operational readiness of the ICBM force. According to Lt Col Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, the test was a comprehensive assessment designed to validate the missile system’s ability to perform its critical mission.
An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during an operational test at 01:35 a.m. Pacific Time Nov. 5, 2025, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
Under @POTUS & @SECWAR, we have PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH. pic.twitter.com/sE2nU84TtF
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) November 5, 2025
The launch sequence was remotely initiated from a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft, utilizing the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS), a backup command and control system for missile launches. The missile’s unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles, reaching the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where telemetry and optical sensors were used to collect critical performance data.
Col Dustin Harmon, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, praised the test, noting that it validated the weapon system’s reliability, adaptability, and modularity. The collected data will be vital for the continued development and sustainment of future ICBM systems. The exercise also involved personnel from all three of the Air Force’s missile wings, with support from maintainers at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
Gen S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, reiterated the importance of the test, stating, “As we modernize to the Sentinel weapon system, we must continue to maintain the readiness of the existing Minuteman III fleet.” He emphasized that GT 254 helped ensure the ongoing accuracy and reliability of the Minuteman III missiles as the U.S. military works toward its next-generation ICBM system.
The successful launch underscores the U.S. Air Force’s commitment to modernizing its nuclear deterrent while maintaining the effectiveness of its current missile systems. The test also highlights the Air Force’s efforts to ensure that the Minuteman III ICBMs remain ready and operational, even as the service looks to the future with the development of the LGM-35A Sentinel.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.