Heinrich Secures New Active Duty Mission at White Sands Missile Range

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, announced that the U.S. Army will station a new active duty mission at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. The 143-soldier Air Defense Artillery Test Detachment will support Army Missile Defense programs to ensure the best equipment is in the hands of soldiers deployed around the world.

"White Sands Missile Range is a national treasure for the U.S. military with its unique terrain, airspace, and expertise that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the country. I'm proud that after working for years with the Army to bring an active duty mission to WSMR, we're able to make this announcement and take full advantage of the facilities and unparalleled testing and training environment New Mexico has to offer," said Sen. Heinrich. "At a time when Army installations across the country are facing reductions, adding a new mission to White Sands is a big deal. I am pleased we secured this new mission and I will continue to advocate for a larger active duty presence at WSMR."

For years, Senator Heinrich has worked to ensure an active duty presence comes to New Mexico. He's highlighted the unique terrain, zero-to-infinity airspace, and expertise that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the country. Senator Heinrich has met with Army leadership and provided documentation citing the significant new infrastructure in place at WSMR to host an active duty mission, including more than 130,000 square feet of brand new facilities--from headquarters, to maintenance bays, to a new dining facility.