BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on November 5, 2025. The test, designated GT 254, evaluated the ongoing reliability, operational readiness, and accuracy of the ICBM system, a cornerstone of U.S. national defense.
A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron employed the Airborne Launch Control System aboard a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft to initiate the launch, testing the effectiveness and availability of the ALCS, a backup command-and-control system for the ICBM force.
“GT 254 is not just a launch — it’s a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system’s ability to perform its critical mission,” said Lt. Col. Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron. “The data collected during the test is invaluable in ensuring continued reliability and accuracy.”…