Air Force to launch unarmed nuclear missile from Vandenberg overnight

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

Clear skies will make the spectacle easy to behold from Southern California. Residents in Oregon and Nevada as well as western parts of Utah, Arizona, and Mexico should also be able to spot the missile streaking across the sky.

The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is set to launch from the Santa Barbara County base sometime between 11:01 p.m. Tuesday and 5:01 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.