Editing Vandenberg Space Force Base (section)

====== LGM-30 Minuteman ======
[[File:Minuteman3launch.jpg|thumb|upright|Minuteman 3 missile launch]]
The advent of solid-propellant gave the three-stage [[LGM-30 Minuteman]] ICBM a major advantage over earlier liquid propellant ICBMs. In February 1961, the construction began on Minuteman ICBM test launch facilities at Vandenberg. Silos 394A-1 through A-7 were the first constructed for use by the SAC [[394th Strategic Missile Squadron]].<ref name="Vandenberg Launch Sites">{{cite web |url=http://asuwlink.uwyo.edu/~jimkirk/vandenberg.html|title=Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch sites|website=asuwlink.uwyo.edu|access-date=31 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725161454/http://asuwlink.uwyo.edu/~jimkirk/vandenberg.html|archive-date=25 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="vafbhistory"/><ref name="Chronology"/>

[[LGM-30A Minuteman IA]] flight tests began in September 1962. The first Minuteman IB test took place in May 1963. On 24 February 1966, the first attempted salvo (simultaneous) launch of two model "A" Minuteman I ICBMs from Vandenberg silos LF-04 (394A-3) and LF-06 (394-A5) was successful. This launch demonstrated the multiple countdown and launch techniques that would be used at operational bases under actual combat conditions. Minuteman I testing continued until 1968.<ref name="Vandenberg Launch Sites"/><ref name="Chronology"/>

[[LGM-30F Minuteman II]] testing began in August 1965 with the first launch conducted by Air Force Systems Command, was successful. The missile flew {{cvt|5000|mi|km}} down the Pacific Missile Range and its reentry vehicle impacted in the target area.<ref name="Chronology"/>

On 22 October 1970, the first attempted OT GT70F (Salvo) operational test launch (simultaneous) launch of two Minuteman II ICBMs was successful from LF-25 and LF-26. The last Minuteman II phase I operational test was performed in April 1972.<ref name="Chronology"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/mineman2.htm|title=Minuteman II|publisher=Astronautix|access-date=31 March 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522183244/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/mineman2.htm|archive-date=22 May 2013}}</ref>

The first [[LGM-30G Minuteman III]] phase II operational test was launched on 5 December 1972 from the LF-02 silo. The ICBM flew {{cvt|800|mi|km}} downrange before impacting in the Pacific Ocean. This was the beginning of Minuteman III launches which continue to this day from Vandenberg.<ref name="Chronology"/>

In July 1974, the initial training of Minuteman missile combat crews, formerly performed by Air Training Command (ATC) instructors at Vandenberg AFB, California, was incorporated into the 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron's Operational Readiness Training (ORT) program at Vandenberg. As a result of this action, the entire Minuteman missile combat training, from beginning (initial training) to end (upgrade training) became the responsibility of [[Strategic Air Command]].<ref name="Chronology"/>

SAC launched two Minuteman III ICBMs from Vandenberg AFB during exercise Global Shield, a comprehensive exercise of SAC's nuclear forces on 10 July 1979 from LF 08 and LF 09. One of these Global Shield missions, Glory Trip 40 GM, was the last Minuteman III phase I operational test flight. The missiles were launched 12 seconds apart by a SAC task force from the [[90th Strategic Missile Wing]], [[Francis E. Warren Air Force Base]], [[Wyoming]].<ref name="Chronology"/>

Glory Trip 77GM, a Minuteman III Operational Test in September 1980, became the longest Minuteman flight test when its payload impacted a broad ocean area target over {{cvt|5600|nmi|km}} downrange.<ref name="Chronology"/>