FoxNews.com reports: “The U.S. Air Force launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test from California in a show of nuclear readiness. 

The test launched at 11:01 p.m. PT from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the base announced on Friday. 

It was a ‘routine’ activity ‘intended to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective,’ according to the announcement. 

‘A test launch displays the heart of our deterrence mission on the world’s stage, assuring our nation and its allies that our weapons are capable and our Airmen are ready and willing to defend peace across the globe at a moment’s notice,’ said Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, Air Force Global Strike Command commander.

The Air Force said the ICBM’s test reentry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, showing the ‘accuracy and reliability’ of the U.S. ICBM system…”