'He' likely thinks this is something new, just for him; to match what he has mouthed recently about 'nuclear testing'.
I worked at this Pacific site for 1 year. I will add more later this evening, but I have to be away for a bit.
--- A short write about the 'to begin' test sometime after 11pm, November 4.
*** The U.S. Air Force will conduct a routine, unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, between the evening of November 4 and early morning of November 5, 2025. The Associated Press (AP) reported this as a routine and pre-planned test.
Key details:
Launch Time: Between 11:01 p.m. Tuesday (Nov 4) and 5:01 a.m. Wednesday (Nov 5) Pacific Time.
Location: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
Details: The test involved an unarmed Minuteman III missile. The re-entry vehicle was expected to travel approximately 4,200 miles (6,800 kilometers) across the Pacific Ocean to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Purpose: The Air Force Global Strike Command stated that such tests are scheduled years in advance to verify the accuracy, reliability, and readiness of the weapon system and are not a reaction to current world events.
Context: This launch is part of the ongoing program to maintain the Minuteman III system, which has been in service for decades and is slated for replacement by the new Sentinel missile system in the mid-2030s. The test will occur amid news reports about President Trump's recent comments regarding potential future nuclear testing, but the Air Force maintained the test was routine and not related to those comments
Remain curious,
Catch
Comments
Since the 1960's, Vandenberg AFB has periodic launches of ICMB's targeted towards Kwajalein passing high in the sky over @Crash home state. Intercept, ground launched 'attack' missiles are targeted to intercept the ICMB as close as possible to detonate and destroy the inbound ICBM to render useless.
The site program was a full DOD project controlled by the U.S. Army; with USAF, at Vandenberg and the headquarters at Huntsville, AL.
My DOD contract was 1971/1972 at the Kwajalein island site. I worked with a group of 10 others at various locations. My work was to maintain crypto equipment to provide encrypted data and voice communications.
My primary work location was at Meck Island, the launch site location for the 'test' interceptor missiles. Each work day was a 20 minute plane ride to and from work, from the main island of KWAJ, were I lived.
The Kwajalein Atoll is a very large coral atoll (all coral, not volcanic) formation in the Marshall Islands.
Some tidbits: As they come to mind...no direct order
--- KWAJ is the main island for everything. Some small stores, living quarters, etc. All of this/these are within the control of the U.S. Army. It's like a small U.S. city.
--- KWAJ is .5 mile at the widest and 2.5 miles long in a crescent shape.
--- KWAJ was loaded with engineers of all types. Families were allowed and there was a full school system in place, with a graduating HS class.
---KWAJ was controlled by Japan starting in 1914 until, February, 1944 (WW2). One amazing remaining part of their stay was the construction of several, large rectangular swimming pools cut into the coral reef. At low tide, one could walk to the pools. These pools always trapped a lot of tropical fish and some of them were captured for salt water fish tanks. Heavy duty tennis shoes were needed for the walk onto the coral, as well as some types of fish (Lionfish or Stonefish?) could cause a problem when stepped upon.
--- There were many activities available; many were provided at company expense...such a deep sea fishing. A pilot license (had to be paid for) was available with small Piper aircraft. The CUTE part was that one could fulfill all requirements, except what was named 'overland' (I believe), as there was no large ground mass to fly over. That part had to be finished on the 'mainland'.
--- I lived in a nice apartment 'building' with 3 others in the apartment.
--- The pay was decent for a 1 year contract. The apartment was provided, all meals were provided (excellent food) at a nice dining hall, medical provided, as needed. There was NO Fed. tax, no territory tax; with only SS tax withheld. But, that 'cap' was obtained early enough; and so then...my gross pay was my net pay.
The characters there: The pilot who usually flew us to work was named 'Shorty'. A pretty cool character who I did NOT want to see at the bar late into the night. He was an ex-CIA pilot, with some of his work in Africa, doing air drops onto runways flying C-130's in support of waring groups that the U.S. supported at the time.
Another, named Dale was a ground radio repair tech. (x-Army). His previous work for a DOD contractor was in Iraq. He serviced radio equipment for them along the border with Iran. He talked about the daily artillery rounds from each side; fired off-target; but to let the other side know they were still there.
My manager, single; planned to work there for about 7 years; save and invest his money, and then buy a nice sail boat from Taiwan. I don't know if Art finished that mission.
A young computer programmers couple who worked for Western Electric planned to stay 2 or 3 years and then do whatever they wanted to do for awhile. I'm sure they had a most decent joint income.
Some other: 1971. U.S. mail, no internet.
I got to know a Mr. Peabody. He was in charge of the satellite comm. At the time, the earth comm. satellites were not fixed; at least for this Pacific location. One day he said that he could arrange for 20 minutes of time for the 'bird' on a Saturday and would ensure all of the arrangements. Sure enough, a first call to a USAF telephone operator in Hawaii, then the next in California were my parents phone number was dialed. MAGIC, for that time. Oddly, the Hawaii operator was a lady I had know before in New Jersey. A small world, some days.
I discovered many years later at a family reunion that an uncle was a Marine who landed at The Battle of Kwajalein in WW2.
I spent a few weeks before my formal work at a LORAN radio site, as a helper, as that was not my knowledge area; on a very small, nearby island. After a couple of large storms, I walked the beach areas, as was normal after supper. Very relaxing. BUT, I discovered numerous items after the storm washed onto the coral sand from WW2. Unexploded mortar bodies (still contained the intact detonation pins), partial rifle and pistol clips still full of bullets, empty artillery shell casings and ONE U.S. copper penny.
When the tide was really low, one could see impact marks in the coral reef and pieces of exploded ordinance from shelling from naval craft and bombs dropped.
My 'ride' to and from work.
KWAJ images. KWAJ is the largest island image here with the large runway and crescent shaped. Meck Island is show a few times with missile launching con trails. There are numerous other pics.
Meck Island images
LASTLY, HIGH SEA LEVELS........Increasing sea levels may put an end to the larger areas of the Marshall Islands and similar. The highest natural above sea level of Kwajalein is 5.5 feet.
Let me know about any mistakes. Thanks
Remain curious,
Catch
Yes, there were numerous tests at the Bikini Atoll, which is 225 miles from my work location. 'Course, I did have to believe that the DOD stated there was not any work hazard at the KWAJ. Over the years prior to my 1971 arrival, there were many others who lived and worked there from various companies. I'm not aware of any health problems for any of them; and I don't knowingly have any health related problems that would relate to radioactive exposure.
This LINK provides numerous links about the tests.
Hi @Mark The entire Kwajalein Atoll is treated in the fashion of a 'restricted' military base on 'soil'. Access is very limited.
To add: The far end of the atoll also has a large group of employees supporting the missile testing, at an island named, Roi-Namur, about 50 miles distance from KWAJ.
AND, digging into the soil for any type of work can be hazardous, as old ordinance is unearthed periodically. There is a U.S. Army bomb disposal group at the island.
Lastly, for WW2 and military buffs, this LINK will take you to choices for written info and FILM/VIDEO
of 'The Battle for Kwajalein'.
I may add something as my brain cells continue to process.
Catch
A technical note- the KWAJ electric generating plant used the WWV radio signal from Arlington, Virginia as their primary synchronizing source to maintain an accurate 60 hz for the local power. I found that interesting because all of the world-wide network of Coast Guard Loran stations also used the WWV signal as our primary frequency reference. (WWV is now located in Fort Collins, CO.)
I must add that the subject line of this thread is a bit mysterious, and I should have done better. The 99% don't know is related to the fact that not very many people know about this long standing ICBM testing program. Probably not even DOD's, Pistol Pete H.
AND, there was/is a large group of scuba divers at KWAJ. These folks have diving excursions; as there are all types of equipment, underwater from WW2....aircraft, naval ships, etc. At my time there, there was also a group who collected marine life shells; and several of them had connections to the U.S.) to sell these on the market place for collectors. Apparently some of the shell types were rare.
The Japanese swimming pools at the reef, at KWAJ.
*** Probably more later.....
A megalomaniac is a person who is obsessed with power, wealth, fame, and grand schemes.
Definition: A person with an obsession for power, wealth, or fame, and a passion for grand, often unrealistic, schemes.