An unarmed U.S. Air Force LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches at 4:36 a.m. PST during an operational test Dec. 17, 2013, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Col. Keith Balts, the commander of the 30th Space Wing, acted as the launch decision authority. The 30th Space Wing manages the Department of Defense's space and missile testing program, and launches satellites into polar orbit from the West Coast using expendable boosters.
U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Yvonne Morales
Taken on 17 December 2013, 12:36 UTC
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