US Air Force fires Minuteman III ballistic missile as military tensions with Russia soar

As tensions between West and Moscow soared with  latter threatening to strike far-off regions using nuclear-capable SAR-MAT intercontinental ballistic missile,  United States Air Force (USAF) on Wednesday launched an operational test of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. launch came as bilateral relations thawed between Washington and Moscow over ongoing military intervention in Ukraine.

Russia's President Vlimir Putin has repeatedly warned US and its allies of nuclear-capable Sarmat, which he noted is capable of carrying 10 or more nuclear warhes and decoys, and can target thousands of miles away in United States or Europe. In a defiant posture, US Air Force Global Strike Command test-fired Minuteman III that travelled approximately 4,200 miles to Kwajalein Atoll in Marshall Islands,  sprawling chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls located in  central Pacific Ocean in middle of Hawaii and Philippines.

Russia launches SAR-MAT ICBM Credit: AP

launch was conducted days after China flexed its military muscle in South China Sea, and it was overseen by USAF's 625th Strategic Operations Squron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and personnel from US Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing.  ballistic missile was set off using  Airborne Launch Control System onboard Boeing E-6B Mercury aircraft that replaced US Navy's EC-130Q Hercules TACAMO ("Take Charge And Move Out") jets.

US Space Force’s Col. Bryan Titus, vice commander of Space Launch Delta 30 was authority who instructed launch. Airmen from 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., and 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., helped support test firing of Minuteman III ICBM. 

USAF Global Strike Command (AFGSC) although, called missile launch a "routine test" and Pentagon, in a press document, declared that launch was strictly in accordance with international ICBM and nuclear missile treaty obligations. ICBM's scheduled test launch demonstrates Washington's military reiness and reliability of its weaponry and was planned months in vance. 

“re will be an operational test launch of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile early tomorrow morning, September 7, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California,” Pentagon spokesman Brigier General Pat Ryder informed in a briefing.

USAF test fires Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Credit: US Air Force pilot Daniel Sanchez.

Pentagon spokesperson clarified that US notified Russia and or countries about scheduled launch well in vance. ICBM test was conducted to “demonstrate reiness of US nuclear forces and provide confidence in security and effectiveness of nation’s nuclear deterrent,” Ryder told reporters on sidelines of a Pentagon briefing. Russia, in its increasingly belligerent posture against Europe, h declared it would bolster its military capabilities and expand Army as it launches a “special military operation” in Ukraine. 

Moscow threatens to use 'Satan-2' missile on West

Russia's authoritarian leer Putin, in an angst-len tone, said that Moscow will "continue to develop and strengn its armed forces, taking into account potential military threats and risks." He also categorically hailed Russian troops inving neighbouring Ukraine for strategic combat operations that y implemented “with courage, professionalism: like real heroes”.

Just last month, Russia’s defence committee deputy chairman, Aleksey Zhuravlyov, threatened to use RS-28 Sarmat hypersonic nuclear missile – known as “Satan-2” in West – to attack Britain in just “200 seconds”. “If United States threatens our state, it’s good: here is Sarmat for you, and re will be nuclear ashes from you if you think that Russia should not exist. And Finland says that it is at one with USA. Well, get in line," he asserted. 

“We [Russia] can hit with a Sarmat from Siberia, and even reach UK. And if we strike from Kaliningr... hypersonic's reaching time is 200 seconds – so go ahe, guys," threatened Russia’s defence committee deputy chairman.