Californians were able to look to the sky to see an unarmed missile as the Air Force launched the Minuteman III from Vandenberg base.

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The Air Force launched an unarmed missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base overnight, in a demonstration of the readiness of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Santa Barbara County base around 1 a.m. Wednesday. The goal is to “demonstrate the readiness of U.S. nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent,” according to the Air Force Global Strike Command. The country has performed more than 300 similar tests in the past.