The Air Force and Missile Defense Agency on Monday successfully flight tested a ballistic missile defense interceptor from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The launch was to evaluate the performance of the new two-stage version of the Orbital Sciences-built ground based interceptor that is currently operational in a three-stage configuration in silos at Vandenberg and in central Alaska. “Initial indications are that all components performed as designed,” stated MDA in a release. The test was solely to collect data on system performance. There was no target launch or intercept attempt. The test marked the first time that a BMD interceptor was fired from Vandenberg’s Launch Facility 24, which was recently upgraded to support missile defense testing. (Vandenberg release)
The Pentagon plans to use U.S. Air Force C-17s and C-130s to deport 5,400 people currently detained by Customs and Border Protection, officials announced Jan. 22, the first act in President Donald Trump’s sweeping promise to crack down on undocumented immigrants and increase border security.