The US Air Force carried out two test launches of unarmed Minutemen III, LGM-30G, intercontinental ballistic missiles over a three day period during March 2015. Both were launched, as part of a systems operational test, from Vandenberg AFB.
These launches are used to verify the performance of the nuclear missile. It is also a reminder of the US’s capability in respect to being able to respond to nuclear threats. A message to Putin as well, perhaps….
Harvey Black
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Minuteman III, Intercontinental ballistic missile. can carry 12 nuclear warheads 13, 000 kilometres.
“Minuteman3launch”. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons –
harveyblackauthor 
The whole thing is very scary, but what can you do? It’s not like we can turn the other cheek.