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Amid escalating tensions with North Korea, the U.S. Air Force and Space Force joined forces to conduct a test missile launch, demonstrating their commitment to national security.
The Air Force Global Strike Command carried out an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The purpose of this test launch, according to a statement from Vandenberg Space Force Base, was to validate and verify the safety, security, effectiveness, and readiness of the weapon system.
The US conducted a successful test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, Air Force Global Strike Command informed.
Such launches are performed by the US on a regular basis.… pic.twitter.com/dtUQQdnMGI
— Status-6 (@Archer83Able) September 6, 2023
Colonel Bryan Titus, vice commander of Space Launch Delta 30, praised the dedicated personnel involved in this critical mission.
The test launch coincided with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan’s stern warning to North Korea.
He urged North Korea to honor its commitments not to supply weapons to Russia that could harm Ukrainians.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby indicated that arms negotiations between the U.S. adversaries were progressing.
Sources suggested that Kim Jong Un sought advanced technology for satellites, nuclear-powered submarines, and food aid in exchange for supplying Russia with artillery shells and antitank missiles.
The test launch also served as a message to Russia.
Rebekah Koffler, a former Defense Intelligence Agency officer, explained that this response was prompted by Russia’s recent placement of its nuclear Sarmat missile on combat duty.
Koffler stressed the importance of signaling to Moscow that the U.S. nuclear deterrent was combat-ready amid ongoing conflicts like the proxy war in Ukraine.