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| US Nuclear Capable ICBM Minuteman III |
The unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), fitted with a test reentry vehicle, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and traveled 4,200 miles or 6,759 km to a test site near the Marshall Islands.
In a statement, the US Air Force said the missiles were to demonstrate the readiness of America's nuclear forces and give credence to the lethality and effectiveness of the country's nuclear deterrent. "This test launch is part of a routine and periodic activity intended to demonstrate that the United States' nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable, and effective at deterring twenty-first century threats and reassuring our allies.
According to Global Offensive Command spokesman Steven Wilson, the launch was originally scheduled for August 4, but was postponed due to concerns about China's response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visiting Taiwan, CNN confirmed.
A US official told CNN at the time that it was a "wise move." The US regularly tests intercontinental weapons systems to verify their accuracy and reliability. "Make no mistake our nuclear triad is a cornerstone of the national security of our country and our allies around the world," Colonel Chris Cruise, Commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, said in a statement.
The Minuteman III is traditionally known as the only land-based missile of the US nuclear triad. The other two parts of the triad are ballistic missiles launched from the Trident submarine and nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers.