Vandenberg Launch Complex 576A
34°44′22″N 120°37′09″W / 34.73944°N 120.61917°W
Launch Complex 576A, also known as Area 576, is a group of rocket launch pads at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The pads at the complex were used from 1959 until 1971 to launch SM-65 Atlas missiles. The site was also known as Complex ABRES. Pads in Area 576A include 576-A-1,2,3
The first operational launch of an Atlas missile by the Strategic Air Command was conducted from 576-A-2 by the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron on September 9, 1959. It impacted 4,480 nautical miles (8,300 km) away, near Wake Island.
The three launch sites are:
- 576A-1 34°46′36″N 120°36′6″W / 34.77667°N 120.60167°W
- 576A-2 34°46′26″N 120°35′18″W / 34.77389°N 120.58833°W
- 576A-3 34°46′39″N 120°35′48″W / 34.77750°N 120.59667°W