Athena II
 
Glory Trip  
48" x 34" oil (1989)  
© Northrop Grumman  

Twin Minuteman missiles streak from their silos at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California to place their non-nuclear test warheads in the Pacific Ocean target areas thousands of miles away. The U.S. Air Force conducts periodic operational test and evaluation launches using Strategic Air Command personnel and equipment. Stage I and III motors by Thiokol Propulsion have helped make the Minuteman the backbone of our nation's strategic deterrence since 1962. 		 


Artist's Note: The caption reflects the 1989 time frame. Missiliers of the USAF's Air Combat Command continue to stand ready with America's primary land-based nuclear deterrent, the Minuteman III.






  
 Many of the Northrop Grumman paintings are available as high quality prints trough Northrop Grumman. While not normally available to the general public, the prints are available to military units, aerospace organizations and industry representatives. Reproduced with permission of Northop Grumman. Unauthorized use of this image is strictly forbidden.