U.S. Army Garrison White Sands Missile Range

White Sands Missile Range is a National Asset, critical for enabling National Security Modernization through Independent Development Testing, Operational Testing, and Evaluation.  White Sands Missile Range provides unmatched infrastructure and capabilities to test, evaluate, and train emerging technologies in a Multi-Domain Operations environment. White Sands Missile Range will position itself to become a Center of Excellence for Space and Missile Testing and Evaluation, and will ensure timely information is provided to Senior Leaders enabling future force decisions.

It began with a test of the world’s first atomic bomb in 1945. After 76 years and more than 42,000 rocket and missile tests, however, White Sands Missile Range continues as the premier military test range in America, earning its title as “Birthplace of America’s Missile and Space Activity.”

Comprised of 3,200 squares miles (roughly the size of Rhode Island and Delaware) White Sands Missile Range supports the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as commercial and international users on a reimbursable basis while conducting more than 3,000 tests annually.

The mission at White Sands Missile Range begins with a customer, a service developer, a foreign ally or another federal agency ready to find out if their engineers and scientists have built something that will perform according to job specifications. It ends when an exhaustive series of test have been completed and a data report has been delivered to the customer.

What testing capabilities are offered at White Sands Missile Range? We shake, rattle and roll a product, roast it, freeze it, subject it to nuclear radiation, dip it in salt water or roll it in the mud. We test its pain, bend its frame and can even gauge the effect its propulsion material has on flora and fauna. In the end, if it’s a missile, we fire it, record its performance and bring back the pieces for postmortem examination. All test data is reduced and the customer receives a full report.

“No place on Earth can conduct vital, complex testing like White Sands Missile Range,” said Commander Brig. Gen. Dave Trybula. “We expect and demand excellence from ourselves because lives on the battlefield depend on us to ensure they are equipped with test-proven materiel and weaponry.”

WELCOME HOME TO WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE.

Whether you are coming for a PCS move or as a visitor, we hope you find your stay with us both worthwhile and enjoyable.

As a test installation, WSMR is unparalleled within the Department of Defense. The community is welcoming and friendly. There are many services and facilities on post to make life comfortable and entertaining. We encourage you to get to know us and explore the area’s rich cultural and historical heritage. The information in this guide will acquaint you with WSMR's major activities, facilities, and services.

Current population is 1,366.

Comfort index climate is 7.2 in the summer and 7.3 in the winter.

White Sands Missile Range Population: 5,350   (as of 13 September 2023)

White Sands Missile Range serves Army, Air Force, Space Force and Navy. The civilian workforce includes DoD Civilians, non-appropriated fund (NAF) employees, and contractors.

WELCOME HOME TO WSMR.

White Sands Missile Range is nestled within the Tularosa Basin of south-central New Mexico with majestic views of the Organ Mountains. The Headquarters area is 20 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico and 45 miles north of El Paso, Texas (Ft. Bliss).

White Sands Missile Range Museum – Atomic. Missile. Space. Birthplace of American Ages. (wsmrmuseum.com)

African Oryx - White Sands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

From El Paso, Texas Airport

When you leave the El Paso Airport area, turn right onto Airway Blvd. At the second stoplight, turn right onto Airport Road. Continue on Airport Road to TX 601-Spur. Use the left two lanes to take the TX-601 Spur West ramp. Merge on to TX-601 Spur.

Use the right two lanes to merge onto US-54 East towards Alamogordo, NM. Take exit 31, Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Use left two lanes to turn onto Kenworthy Street. Continue onto Farm to Market Rd 3255/Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.

Continue onto NM-213 North. At the traffic circle, continue straight on NM-213 North/War Road. Follow War Road approximately 30 miles to WSMR entrance gate.

From Las Cruces, New Mexico

Take Highway 25 north to Highway 70 East (Highway 70 is also called "Main Street"). Turn right onto Highway 70 East towards WSMR or Alamogordo. Continue on Highway 70 East for about 25 miles over the San Augustine Pass and exit just after mile marker 169. Turn right onto Owen Rd. The Las Cruces/Alamogordo Main Post Gate is approximately 3 miles after the exit.

From Alamogordo, New Mexico

Take Highway 70 west. Proceed about 47 miles to the missile range exit labeled "Headquarters" just after mile marker 172. The exit ramp loops under Highway 70 onto Owen Rd. The Las Cruces/Alamogordo main post gate is approximately 3 miles after you exit.

ROADBLOCKS - For info call 575-678-1178 (Range Control)

The WSMR Ranger Control may initiate roadblocks on public roads such as U.S. Highways 70, 54 and 380. The Highway 70 blocks are set at various points between White Sands National Monument and San Augustin Pass. The Highway 380 blocks are set east of the Rio Grande and west of Carrizozo. The Highway 54 blocks are set south of Oro Grande, New Mexico and north of the New Mexico and Texas state line.

Prior to travel, contact Range Control at 575-678-1178 for the updated Roadblock status.

WELCOME HOME TO WSMR.

Currently, there is no public transportation offered.

The WSMR Community is fortunate that the majority of facilities are within walking distance from the Barracks and Housing areas (ie: Army Community Service, Gym, Commissary, Exchange, Bowling Center, Indoor Aquatic Center, and White Sands Middle School).

Currently there is no Base Operator.

Contact your gaining Unit or Sponsor for updated information.