Minuteman III Launches from Vandenberg Postponed Due to International Tensions

Source: U.S. Department of Defense

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III exemplified how a responsible nuclear nation should behave and postponed a long-planned test launch of an American Minuteman III rocket, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said [Wednesday] during a news conference.  

Austin’s order is in direct contrast to the irresponsible actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin who directed a special alert of Russian nuclear forces.  

“Now, in this time of heightened tensions, the United States and other members of the international community rightly saw [Putin’s actions] as dangerous and irresponsible and … an unnecessary step,” Kirby said.   

The United States and Russia have long agreed nuclear employment could have devastating consequences. Both nations agree that “a nuclear war cannot be won, and must never be fought,” Kirby said.  

Rocket soars into the night.

Putin’s provocative rhetoric and his threats of possible changes to nuclear posture involving the most consequential weapons is unacceptable, he said. The United States has not taken any similar steps.   

“So, in an effort to demonstrate that we have no intention of engaging in any actions that can be misunderstood or misconstrued, the secretary of defense has directed that our Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test launch scheduled for this week to be postponed,” Kirby said. “We did not take this decision lightly, but instead to demonstrate that we are a responsible nuclear power.”  

This postponement will not affect America’s nuclear deterrence in any way. “We remain confident in our strategic posture,” Kirby said. “And our ability to defend the homeland and our allies, and our partners remains fully intact and ready.”  

 

Civilian speaks at a lectern with DOD seal on it.

In this time of tension, the United States and Russia must bear in mind the risk of miscalculation and take steps to reduce those risks, the press secretary said.  

Air Force crews test four Minuteman III rockets per year from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The tests are planned years in advance and publicized to avoid miscalculations. The dummy warheads splash down near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.  

A new date for the test has not been set. 

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10 Comments

  1. If we let putin do what he wants in Ukraine… what will stop him going forward? Protecting the airspace of a democratically elected sovereign nation thats being invaded is not an act of war… it’s an act towards ending war.

  2. Gizmo – highest inflation ever explained – 1. Fallout from Covid that 2 fake Democrats and 100% Republicans who put Politics before Country, refuse to help alleviate by voting against numerous necessary Rescue Bills designed to save our economy, country and citizens, just because they don’t want Democrats to succeed – regardless of how badly we need those measures.
    2. Greedmongers profiteering off our basic necessities like Housing and Energy, due to unharnessed Capitalism.

  3. You’ve got to be kidding! Our current administration is much braver and saner than that treasonous coward before them who actually stooped to kissing up to and grovelling before the very dictators who threaten to nuke us! He humiliated himself and us by doing so. Ugh!

  4. Cowards? You mean like someone who would get a fake medical report to dodge the draft and bang models at home while blazing through daddy’s money?
    Like that type of coward?
    And beyond that, bro, I guess you must not have friends…or a family. There is a chance, a very slight chance, but a chance none the less, that this whole thing spins out of control and Putin decides to hit the button and end it.

  5. Hate to burst your bubble but nobody’s got a grip on what’s going on-you reelected a feeble old man who s—d the pooch for 40 years-prove your point explain the highest inflation ever and last of all explain ONE thing Kamala has that is an asset for America

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