Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority.
“Both the 30th Space Wing and the Missile Defense Agency worked hard to get the team ready for today’s launch,” said Balts. “This was my first MDA launch as the wing commander and I was impressed by the professionalism each member of this team embodied.”
The operationally-configured interceptor is designed to intercept and destroy a ballistic missile warhead as part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense element of the integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System, according to a MDA spokesperson.