SELM test comes to a close

by Airman 1st Class Brandon Valle
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

4/24/2014 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Ninetieth Missile Wing Airmen participated in a Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman test April 11-17.

The SELM testing is performed every six months on a rotating schedule for each of the missile bases - F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and Minot Air Force Base, N.D., meaning each base is tested every 18 months.

"SELM represents the most complete test of our ICBM weapon system," Capt. Joseph Liles, 576th Flight Training Squadron test manager, said. "In this test, we evaluated six launch facilities from their day-to-day operational state through issuance of the first stage ignition signal. All six performed exactly as expected."

The tests were designed to assess the reliability of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile weapon system in a realistic, deployed environment. This year's testing included a variety of new scenarios.

"We tested some exciting new concepts and were able to validate the system's flawless performance when exposed to certain modern threats," Liles said.

The SELM testing required preparation and teamwork from the whole wing. A number of organizations worked together for the test - the 90th Operations Group and the 90th Maintenance Group were at the forefront of the preparation for the testing, and they, along with the 90th Security Forces Group, worked together for the actual testing phase.

"The 90th Missile Wing put a significant amount of work into safely executing this valuable test of the weapon system all while ensuring that their operational mission never missed a beat," Liles said.

The 90th OG was the primary focus of the test, and Liles said they did not disappoint.

"We were responsible for monitoring the shifts of the testing sites, and when the time came, we physically went through all the processes necessary to simulate an official launch," 1st Lt. Joseph Wyatt, 319th Missile Squadron, said. "The test went perfectly and we didn't run into a single issue."

The 90th MW is next scheduled for a SELM test in fall of 2015.