Vandenberg, California – At 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on May 21, 2025, the United States launched an unarmed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The missile, part of the Minuteman III system, was fired in an operational test to show the strength, readiness, and reliability of the U.S. missile fleet.

The test launch, named GT-253, lit up the night sky along California’s coast.

Officials say the launch proves the U.S. can maintain dominance during a time of global strategic competition.

The missile traveled over the Pacific Ocean, marking another key demonstration of American long-range defense capability.

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