Crosier said he recognizes the significance of this launch.

"The Atlas was one of the first (intercontinental ballistic missiles)," Crosier said. "John Glenn rode an Atlas into orbit in the first (U.S.) manned space program. This launch closes out the Atlas program for Vandenberg."

Capt. Ram Riojas, from the 2nd SLS, leads a 400-member team in this historic launch.

"The excitement will just grow now that the Atlas is actually here," Riojas said. "We have many people working long hours to prepare this rocket for launch."

He added that since the booster's inception at Vandenberg, people have seen about 283 Atlas launches here.

There are eight variants of the Atlas booster, and the Atlas V will continue to be used at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Riojas said.

In 1988, the Air Force contracted General Dynamics, now Lockheed-Martin, to build the Atlas II booster for the primary mission of launching Defense Satellite Communications System payloads and commercial satellites.

This Atlas carries a classified payload to be used by the National Reconnaissance Office for national security.

"We are playing a direct role in ensuring the freedoms and liberties of the United States," Crosier said. "I tell people every day not to lose sight of how important this mission is for us because it does have national security implications."

The impressive size of this projectile belies its weak outer skin.

"The rocket is all stainless steel about the thickness of a dime," Riojas said. "We have to keep it pressurized with an inert gas like nitrogen. Otherwise, it would just collapse on itself."

He added that the booster is kept light to maximize the size of payload the Atlas IIAS can carry.

Crosier said the final Atlas launch from Vandenberg is truly historic, as the Atlas program has served the Air Force well over the years.

"As we fly this last one out, it really is kind of bittersweet," he said.

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