US Air Force Global Strike Command is gearing up to conduct two test launches of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Amidst tensions between Russia and NATO over the crisis in Ukraine, the tests are seen as routine and not a cause for alarm by military analysts.
The Minuteman III missiles, which have been in service since the 1970s, are set to be replaced by the Sentinel ICBM program in the mid-2030s. The upcoming tests, scheduled for June 4 and 6, are aimed at demonstrating the readiness of US nuclear forces and the effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
Retired US Army Colonel Earl Rasmussen emphasized the reliability of the Minuteman III system, despite its aging infrastructure. He dismissed any connection between the tests and recent global events, citing over 300 successful test launches in the past.
Overall, the tests are seen as part of routine training exercises to maintain the US strategic nuclear capabilities and are not tied to current geopolitical developments.