An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III takes off from Andersen Air Force Base.

The military air-launched a medium range ballistic missile off the coast of Guam Tuesday night.

The Missile Defense Agency shared images of the flight experiment during exercise Sling Stone. 

And on the ground, the Aegis Guam System integrated with the new radar and vertical launching system fires a standard missile-3 block IIA intercepting the target.

The mission was a success.

An historic moment for the military and for the region as this is the first-ever Ballistic Missile Defense event for Guam.

Given the designation, “Flight Experiment Mission-02,” officials said this marks a pivotal step taken in defense of Guam and protecting forces from any potential regional missile threats.

Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Guam National Guard Adjutant General Mike Cruz and joined other military leaders at the Joint Region Marianas Regional Operations Center to witness the test.

The Governor stated, “I witnessed the first ever testing and success of the missile defense system in Guam. It was indeed a moment of satisfaction to see all the hard work, science, data, and technology come together for the defense of our island and our nation. Seeing the interceptor successfully launched and the target tracked and taken down was a great leap into the protection of our people.”

“The system works,” she added.

Guam Delegate James Moylan also met with Missile Defense Agency leaders to witness the event.

Moylan stated, “At no moment during this testing were our people, our island, and those within this region in any harm. The process will include an inspection of any debris, to be conducted later today, aboard andersen air force base.” 

The congressman added, “Today’s test was a major step forward in our pursuit of 360-degree missile defense. The commitment to defending the homeland remains a top priority for me and my fellow Armed Services Committee members in Congress.”

Joint Task Force Micronesia Commander, Navy Rear Admiral Greg Huffman stated, “The success of Sling Stone is a testament to the incredible work our joint-service team does every day to maintain a strong defensive posture in the Indo-Pacific region. Leveraging MDA’s missile intercept test to train how we fight just made sense. We will take lessons learned and continue to strengthen the architecture of Guam’s defense against evolving adversary missile threats.”

Simultaneously, the Navy’s Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius assisted to detect, track, and simulate engagement of the missile, providing air defense coverage from the sea.

Task Force Talon, the Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense unit, also received missile tracking information. 

The THAAD battery provides ballistic missile defense coverage for the entire island.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Maya-class guided-missile destroyer JS Hag Uro exercised its air defense support, increasing interoperability between international forces.

Additionally, Sling Stone provided an opportunity for the military and Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense to rehearse the notification process and increase crisis-response readiness.