SELM testing begins with preparation

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

4/8/2014 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo.  -- The 90th Missile Wing has been designated to participate in a Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman test April 11 through 17. The SELM testing is a test done every 6 months at one of the three missile bases on a rotating schedule, meaning each base is tested every 18 months. 

"The SELM test is a random quality assurance test of the launch facilities," said Capt. Joseph Liles, 576th Flight Test Squadron test manager. "The test is part of a full spectrum of tests to assess the reliability of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Weapon System in a realistic, deployed environment. We also verify that each launch facility's systems are able to process the launch sequence without actually launching the missile."

Six launch facilities and two launch control centers are chosen for the test based on a combination of factors, including specific test objectives and the amount of time passed since the facility had been tested, Liles said.

The official testing spans a mere 6 days, but the preparation for the test begins many months before and requires many organizations to work together to prepare for the test.

"In coordination with the wing, we spend about 6 months prior to the test creating test plans and procedures," Liles said. "The process is much longer than many people perceive. Much of the preparation is behind the scenes and never really seen by others. Every organization on base provides support in some way for the test. From the chefs that make sure the crews are fed to the maintainers who make sure each site is prepared for the test, each group performs certain responsibilities that are necessary in preparing for the test."

A major participant in both the planning phase and the testing phase is the operations group.
"The 90th Operations Group is responsible for coding all the material needed to conduct the test," said 1st Lt. Joseph Wyatt, 319th Missile Squadron ICBM Combat Crew assistant flight commander.

The group is also responsible for making sure the crew members are prepared for the test by providing a mix of training to the crews before the official testing phase begins, he added.

"While preparing for the test, we ensure the crew members are trained on all the tasks that will be conducted, which involves a lot of training from the 90th Operations Support Squadron instructors and the 576th representatives themselves," Wyatt said. "The training includes a brief lesson on what to expect as maintenance is going on and what the crew will have to accomplish after the maintenance is complete."

Another major group in the preparation phases is the 90th Maintenance Group, who is responsible for making sure each site is prepped and ready for testing.

"Our overall goal is to turn the selected launch control centers and launch facilities into their own miniature squadrons," said 1st Lt. Brandon Clements, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron. "Our tasks include installing SELM-specific control monitors, ensuring the missiles are configured to meet all safety standards, load the test codes and isolate the communication lines to ensure the non-test sites are unaffected by the SELM commands."

The 90th MXG began preparing each, individual site, also known as posturing the SELM sites, approximately 3 weeks ago, with the final preparations for the test scheduled to be completed April 11.

The 90th MXG required a continuous effort from many Airmen as they worked towards preparing the sites, Clements said.

"Each site required 17 personnel for one day of maintenance," he added. "Those numbers are just for the teams performing the tasks on site. For each team dispatched, there was an equally impressive number of MXG, security forces and OG support. From start to finish, ensuring an effective SELM requires an above and beyond effort from everyone."

A follow-up article discussing the completion of the SELM test will be included in the April 25 paper.