ICBM operational test

An Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. ICBM test launches demonstrate the U.S. nuclear enterprise is safe, secure, effective and ready to defend the United States and its allies. The AIR FORCE NUCLEAR WEAPONS CENTER synchronizes all aspects of nuclear materiel management on behalf of the AFMC commander in direct support of Air Force Global Strike Command. Headquartered at Kirtland Air Force Base, the center consists of five major execution directorates: Air Delivered Capabilities; Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Systems; Minuteman III Systems; Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) Integration; and Nuclear Technology and Integration. It also has several functional directorates and its commander is dual-hatted as the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Strategic Systems.