{"id":38832,"date":"2021-04-18T20:01:50","date_gmt":"2021-04-18T20:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/04\/18\/rigorous-minuteman-iii-testing-part-of-minot-air-force-base-missile-force\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:10:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:10:59","slug":"rigorous-minuteman-iii-testing-part-of-minot-air-force-base-missile-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2021\/04\/18\/rigorous-minuteman-iii-testing-part-of-minot-air-force-base-missile-force\/","title":{"rendered":"Rigorous Minuteman III testing part of Minot Air Force Base missile force"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. \u2014 Members of the 576th Flight Test Squadron continuously test the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system to make sure it does what it\u2019s supposed to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe perform a fundamentally unique mission. We do a full on full, end to end testing of the Minuteman III weapon system,\u201d said Capt. Kirsten McKenzie, an ICBM test operator with the 576th at Vandenberg Air Force Base<\/a>, California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McKenzie, Capt. Cole Evans, also an ICBM test operator, and Master Sgt. Matthew Ricker, noncommissioned officer in charge ICBM field test, all with the 576th, have spent a month at Minot AFB preparing for a Simulated Electronics Launch Missile (SELM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SELM is a simulation of everything that leads up to an actual launch of a Minuteman III and culminates in the Launch Facility door blast, according to Minot AFB information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SELM tests the critical functions of the operational weapon system in its field environment, providing important data to the Joint Staff, U.S. Strategic Command and Air Force Global Strike Command, according to 576th information, the Minot Daily News reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McKenzie, Evans and Ricker spoke about the 576th and its mission to members of the Minot Area Chamber EDC\u2019s Military Affairs Committee at its April 1 meeting in the Grand Hotel, Minot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t just launch missiles. The mid-entry weapon system can do what it does because it\u2019s an extremely robust weapon system. There are various parts that allow us to do and perform end to end testing so not just the missile but the software programs that allow to interface with the weapon system in addition to why we are here today for this mission,\u201d McKenzie said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB is one of three ICBM wings that operate, maintain and secure a fleet of Minuteman III missiles located in underground launch facilities in the Minot missile field. The other two Minuteman III ICBM missile wings are at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and Malmstrom AFB, Montana.<\/p>\n\n\n\t