Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile May 20 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

This routine launch, designated GT 256, was scheduled years ago, and is not in response to world events. It acts as a comprehensive operational test, designed to evaluate both the weapon system and the personnel who maintain it in a highly-controlled testing environment.