Missile Launch Operations

Images of various missile launch operations, showcasing interceptor and cruise missiles being fired into the sky, with dramatic smoke and cloud formations.

Destruction of Old Ordinance

A PAC-2 Patriot interceptor missile is launched at a Kratos Defense Firejet cruise missile surrogate target during the Patriot live-fire exercise as part of Valiant Shield 22. Air defenders from Charlie Battery, 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion successfully intercepted the target at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time. The target traveled out to sea on a southeast track, then executed a 180-degree turn and flew towards the airport from the southeast. At this point, two PAC-2 Patriot interceptor missiles engaged the target in salvo mode, with the second Patriot launching three seconds after the first. The interceptor missiles engaged the target approximately 35km off the coast of Palau at an altitude of 10,000 feet and speed of 350 knots; the first interceptor successfully destroyed the target, and the second interceptor adjusted course to target the largest piece of debris from the first intercept.The Patriot system is already a combat-proven system, but this exercise saw the first

A BGM-109 Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile (TLAM) rises into the air after being launched from the aft Vertical System (VLS) aboard the guided missile cruiser USS BUNKER HILL (CG-52) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: USS Bunker Hill(CG 52)

U.S. Marines with 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, fire a reduced range practice rocket from a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during Exercise Rolling Thunder 22-2 on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April. 4, 2022. This exercise is a 10th Marines-led live-fire artillery event that tests the unit's abilities to operate in a simulated littoral environment against a peer threat in a dynamic and multi-dominated scenario.

A Ground-Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) after it emerges from the Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) during a test firing. Base: Utah Test And Training Range State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, fire rockets from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

Harpoon Missile

A MIM-104 Patriot anti-aircraft missile is fired during a 6th Training Brigade exercise. Base: White Sands Missile Test Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

110301-N-7237C-009 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 1, 2011) An unarmed Trident II D5 missile launches from the Ohio-class fleet ballistic-missile submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733) off the coast of Southern California. The test launch was part of the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs demonstration and shakedown operation certification process. The successful launch certified the readiness of an SSBN crew and the operational performance of the submarineÕs strategic weapons system before returning to operational availability. The launch was the 135th consecutive successful test flight.

M-112 demolition charges are detonated, destroying unserviceable ammunition by members of the 60th Ordnance Detachment, 82nd Airborne Division, during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

Destruction of Old Ordinance

A view of a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) firing a round of ammunition. Base: White Sands Missile Test Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missile is fired from a Mark 29 NATO Sea Sparrow missile launcher aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Country: Unknown

A U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams tank assigned to 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fires during night gunnery table V, Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, June 7, 2022. The 3/4th ABCT is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces.

A view of an encapsulated RGM-84 surface-to-surface Harpoon missile leaving the capsule as it clears the surface of the water, after being launched from a submarine near the Pacific Missile Test Center, California. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DN-ST-86-01460. Base: Wallace Air Station San Fernando Country: Philippines (PHL)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, fire rockets from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

DN-ST-87-03310. Base: USS Iowa (BB 61) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

An LGM-30B Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test..

A U.S. Marine Corps M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System assigned to Kilo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, Marine Forces Reserve, fires a rocket while conducting a HIMARS rapid insertion training event during Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 2-22, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, April 6, 2022. The Marine Corps utilizes HIMARS and its KC-130J aircraft to provide combatant commanders with rapidly deployable precision fires asset, capable of being anywhere in the world within 24 hours.

A controlled detonation set off by U.S. Soldiers with 725th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, 441st EOD Battalion, Task Force Troy and Iraqi soldiers with Iraqi Bomb Disposal Company, 9th Army Disposal to destroy unexploded ordinances outside Bassami, Iraq, July 13. The Iraqi Bomb Disposal Company with support and guidance from U.S. Soldiers with 725th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, 441st EOD Battalion, Task Force Troy have been tasked to destroy unexploded ordnances found in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

An MIM-104 Patriot Missile is fired by members of Btry. B, 8th Bn., 43rd Air Defense Artillery. Base: White Sands Missile Test Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Launching Rolling Air Frame Missile

DA-SC-88-01657. Base: White Sands Missile Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010329-N-6610T-500. Base: Uss Bataan (LHD 5)

A Patriot missile is launched by soldiers of the 11th Brigade, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, Fort Bliss, Texas. The live firing are a real time opportunity for units to demonstrate their skills during the world's largest joint service, multi-nation tactical air operations exercise. A Patriot missile is launched by soldiers of the 11th Brigade, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, Fort Bliss, Texas. The live firing are a real time opportunity for units to demonstrate their skills during the world's largest joint service, multi-nation tactical air operations exercise.

An Aegis missile is launched from a vertical launch system (VLS) aboard the guided missile ship USS NORTON SOUND (AVM-1) near the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC), Point Mugu, Calif. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Missile Launching From USS Lake Erie

A view of a cruise missile being launched during a ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM) test. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Dugway Proving Grounds State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, fire rockets from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

Missile being launched, Arrow Anti-ballistic Missile Interceptor

A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is test fired from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, to Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, during exercise Global Shield. Subject Operation/Series: GLOBAL SHIELD Country: Unknown

A concrete target explodes after being struck by a conventionally armed Tomahawk land attack cruise missile during a live warhead test. Launched from a submerged submarine 400 miles off the coast, the missile used its Terrain Matching Contour (TERCOM) system to get to the target area and its Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator (DSMAC) to zero in on the target. Third of six views. Base: San Clemente Island State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, participate in Table 3B course of fire range during ANGLICO Basic Course 1-22 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 5, 2022. This basic training enhances the capabilities of ANGLICO Marines to plan and execute liaison missions in support of joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational operations.

A Minuteman III missile takes off from Launch Facility 26. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper executes a close air support mission coordinated by Tactical Air Control Party, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23, at Yodaville, near Yuma, Arizona, Sept. 28, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

Rocket Space Ship. Military missiles flying high in blue sky

A Pershing missile is launched from Complex 16. Base: Cape Canaveral Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 65th Field Artillery Brigade, and soldiers from the Kuwait Land Forces fire their High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems

A test of the nation's Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, was conducted from North Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., March 25 by 30th Space Wing officials, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, and U.S. Northern Command.

Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot/Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation. GRABLE cloud, cannon in foreground. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

011005-F-4328T-001. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aerial view of a F16 fighter jet streaks across the sky, leaving a trail of white smoke against the clear blue canvas, Changi, Singapore.

Three hawk rockets on a launcher. The Hawk was developed for intercepting aircraft at low height, and was completely mobile.3e group of led weapons in Blomberg.

Helicopter Gunship Expends Flares and Banks Hard

DN-SC-85-03918. Country: Western Caribbean

A RIM-66B Standard SM-1 medium range surface-to-air missile is launched from a CHARLES F. ADAMS class guided missile destroyer during the multinational Exercise RimPac '90. A second ship has launched a missile in the background at right. The Pacific Rim nations of Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. are participating in the annual naval and amphibious exercise. Subject Operation/Series: RIMPAC '90 Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

The No. 2 Mark 7 16-inch/50-cal. gun turret of the battleship USS IOWA (BB-61) is fired during a main battery firing exercise. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A US Army remote-controlled "B.A.T.S." target rocket lifts from its launchpad, toward an impact area on the E-1 range at Camp Lejeune's Onslow Beach area during a 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion missile targeting exercise. Marines from the LAAD Battalion, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, were using the versitile rockets as fast-moving targets, firing Stinger missiles at them from the Avenger system mounted atop High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the Northern Army, Japan Self-Defense Force, fire rockets from a Multiple Launch Rocket System alongside U.S. Marine Corps High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 10, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

As seen from the ship's bow, a RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the starboard side forward Mark 29 NATO Sea Sparrow Missile (NSSM) launcher aboard the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64). Country: Pacific Ocean(POC)

120430-N-VY256-070 ARABIAN SEA (April 30, 2012) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) test fires an MK-15 close-in weapon system (CIWS) during a pre-action aim calibration fire exercise. Cape St. George is deployed as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

October 14, 2006 - A cache of unexploded ordnance is detonated by U.S. Air Force Airmen explosive ordnance disposal team at a site near Forward Operating Base Falcon, Iraq.

A mine clearing line charge is detonated by Engineers with the Assault Breacher Vehicle platoon, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion during operation Rawhide, March 14.

Aerial Drone is Launched From Guided-Missile Frigate USS Thach

CIWS Mount 24 USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) US Navy

1983 - A Pershing-II battlefield support missile is launched by the US Army for a long range flight down Eastern Test Range..

DF-SC-86-12974. Base: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Arabian Gulf, March 28, 2012 - A close-in weapons system (CIWS) is fired during a pre-aim calibration shoot aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8).

An oil well burns out of control, darkening the sky with smoke, after being set ablaze by retreating Iraqi forces during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Kuwait(KWT)

a missile with a mountain in the background

050719-N-1159B-048. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS 46-05 Base: USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 9, 2018) A rolling airframe missile is launched from the forward missile battery of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during a missile exercise. The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in Europe and the Middle East. The Iwo Jima ARG embarks the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and includes Iwo Jima, the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), Fleet Surgical Team 8, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, components of Naval Beach Group 2 and the embarked staff of Amphibious Squadron 4.

Two M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, North Carolina National Guard, a subordinate command to the 65th Field Artillery Brigade, Utah National Guard, fire rockets down range during Western Strike 22 at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho. Western Strike 22 is an eXportable Combat Training Capabilities exercise led by the Utah National Guards 65th Field Artillery Brigade, that provides National Guard Soldiers immersed training similar to a Combat Training Center and aims to increase participating unit's readiness and lethality.

SGT. Stephen M. Kravitsky inspects an LGM-30G Minuteman III missile inside a silo about 60 miles from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Kravitsky, a missile systems analyst with the 321st Organizational Missile Maintenance Squadron, has been named as one of the Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 1989. State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A UGM-73A C-3 Poseidon fleet ballistic missile is launched from the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine USS JAMES K. POLK (SSBN 645). Base: Cape Canaveral State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-85-10914. Subject Operation/Series: READEX 2-83 Base: Vieques Island Country: Puerto Rico (PRI)

230408-N-DU622-1486 PHILIPPINE SEA (April 8, 2023) An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Fighting Redcocks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 launches off the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

May 6, 2006 - An Iraqi Bomb Disposal Company was at Camp Taqaddum to assist their American counterparts in a controlled demolition of damaged ammunition and other ordnance.

Light enhanced photography, fisheye lens view, showing an explosion resulting from coalition forces aircraft attacking hostile forces near Tikrit, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. (Substandard image). Base: Tikrit State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A self-propelled howitzer crew assigned to Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, fires high-explosive rounds from an M109A6 Paladin during Field Artillery Certification at Fort Bliss, Texas, May 11, 2022. The 4-27 FA conducted fire support Table XV as part of their training certification process. Fire support Table XV tests a units ability to provide accurate and precise artillery support while mirroring the stress of real-world combat scenarios. Conducting certification lets commanders asses the proficiency and readiness of their units.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March. 19, 2011) - Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) launches a Tomahawk missile in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn on March 19, 2011. This was one of approximately 110 cruise missiles fired from U.S. and British ships and submarines that targeted about 20 radar and anti-aircraft sites along Libyas Mediterranean coast. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Qadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn is commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III.

DF-SC-84-10035. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

030502-M-3692C-017. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Medium long shot, explosion in a Minuteman silo, 6 October 1999. After days of preparation Contractors from the Demteck Corp. were able to implode the first of 150 Minuteman silo's spread over Eastern North Dakota. This signals the end of the Minuteman Missiles at Grand Forks Air Force Base North Dakota. State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

RIM-66 Standard MR/SM-2 missiles on a Mark 26 launcher, prior to being fired from the Aegis guided missile cruiser USS TICONDEROGA (CG-47) during tests near the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Carnage Battery, Field Artillery Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment fire 155mm rounds from an M777 howitzer during a Battery Certification exercise at the at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Nov. 7, 2022. 2nd Cavalry Regiment, assigned to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe, works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater to defend the NATO alliance.

A US Army remote-controlled "B.A.T.S." target rocket lifts from its launchpad, toward an impact area on the E-1 range at Camp Lejeune's Onslow Beach area during a 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion missile targeting exercise. Marines from the 2nd LAAD Battalion, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, were using the versatile rockets as fast-moving targets, firing Stinger missiles at them from the Avenger system mounted atop High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 19, 2013) The guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) fires an RIM-66M SM-2 missile from its aft vertical launch system while underway in the Pacific Ocean. Michael Murphy is currently preparing for its final contract trials.

DF-SC-86-12889. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A photo taken from the bridge captures the explosion of the No. 2 16-inch gun turret aboard the battleship USS IOWA (BB-61). It was later determined that 47 sailors were killed by the blast, which occurred as the IOWA was conducting routine gunnery exercises 330 miles northeast of Puerto Rico. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Swiss Air Force Super Puma helicopter launching flares, Switzerland.

The fourth in a series of four views of the launch of an RIM-7 Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missile from the destroyer USS MERRILL (DD-976). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Controlled Explosions at Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow, Otago, South Island, New Zealand

USA, New Mexico, White Sands Missle Range: Patriot Ground to Air Missle & Launcher White Sands Missle Range Museum

040113-F-7709A-008. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

1960S First Lance Rockets Firing From Lightweight Launcher

DF-ST-89-04090. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F/A-18C Super Hornet During Air Power Demonstration

DF-ST-86-12923. Base: Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-01397. State: British Columbia (BC) Country: Canada (CAN)

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration takes place during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, artillery and infantry forces, and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

U.S. and Côte d'Ivoirian special operations forces conduct Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) in Jacqueville, Cote dIvoire August 24, 2022. JCETs enhance U.S. relationships with partner nations by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving joint and allied readiness and interoperability.

of 2