The Air Force destroyed an unarmed Minuteman 3 ICBM during a test launch following an unspecified "anomaly" mid-flight. (Ben Murray / Staff)

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — An unarmed U.S. Air Force Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile was intentionally destroyed in flight when an anomaly occurred during a test launch from California.

An Air Force Global Strike Command statement says the flight was safely terminated over the Pacific Ocean at 4:42 a.m. Tuesday.

23 years old, and responsible for the nation's nukes
23 years old, and responsible for the nation's nukes

Amid extreme weather and hours, missileers at Minot manage 150 of the nation's nuclear missiles.

By: Tara Copp

The Minuteman system's accuracy and reliability is routinely tested with launches from Vandenberg that send a missile's re-entry vehicle on a 4,200-mile (6,759-kilometer) flight to a target in the Kwajalein Atoll of the Marshall Islands.

The Air Force says an anomaly is any unexpected event during a test and could arise from different factors.

A launch analysis group is being formed from various Air Force organizations.