I grew up in the Los Angeles area and saw quite a few Minuteman
launches from Vandenberg AFB. If this had been an actual ICBM
launch at sunset, there would have been a spectacular high-altitude
cloud display that lingered well after sunset.
As for an alleged launch being a show of force, that only works if
you tell people you're showing the force. Saber-rattling hasn't
been President Obama's style, either.
Jonathan's Space Report says there were a few SSBN Trident D-5
launches from near Vandenberg four or five years ago, but I haven't
found the coordinates for the launch points. And wouldn't any planned
launch have included an FAA warning to pilots to stay out of the area?
--Bill Thompson
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