White Sands Missile Range

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Tularosa Basin, New Mexico (administrative address: White Sands Missile Range, NM)
Installation Type: Missile Range / Test and Evaluation Installation
Status: Active

Overview

White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) is the largest military installation in the United States, covering approximately 3,200 square miles (2.05 million acres) of the Tularosa Basin in south-central New Mexico. Established in 1945 as White Sands Proving Ground, it has served as the nation’s premier land-based rocket and missile test facility since the dawn of the missile age. WSMR supports the Army, Navy, Air Force, other government agencies, and commercial users with research, development, test, evaluation, experimentation, and training capabilities. The Trinity Site, where the first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945, lies within the range boundary.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide America’s Armed Forces, allies, and defense technology innovators with world-class research, development, test, evaluation, experimentation, and training facilities to ensure national defense readiness.
Major Units: U.S. Army Garrison White Sands Missile Range; White Sands Test Center (WSTC) – reporting to U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC); Range Operations Directorate; Material Test Directorate; Systems Engineering Directorate
Tenant Units: U.S. Army High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility (HELSTF); numerous contractor and inter-agency test support organizations; Army Space and Missile Defense Command elements; Missile Defense Agency test support

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Las Cruces, NM – approximately 25 miles west; El Paso, TX – approximately 45 miles southeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: El Paso International Airport (ELP) – approximately 50 miles southeast; Las Cruces International Airport (LRU) – approximately 25 miles (limited commercial service)
Gate Access: Main gate on US Highway 70; access requires valid military ID or visitor pass; civilian visitors must coordinate with a sponsor and obtain a pass at the Visitor Control Center; portions of Highway 70 bisecting the range may be temporarily closed during missile tests

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 2,000
Family Members: Approximately 3,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 5,000 (including federal civilians and contractors)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 10,000 (not including rotating test support personnel)

Key Facilities

Medical: Beaumont Health Clinic (primary care clinic on post); Beaumont Army Medical Center is the major referral hospital located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX; emergency services via William Beaumont or University Medical Center of El Paso
Commissary: Yes – commissary on post; hours limited; serves garrison population
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES main store and facilities on post
Fitness & Recreation: Physical fitness center; outdoor recreation; golf course (Desert Highlands Golf Course); bowling center; auto skills center; hunting and fishing programs on range lands
Schools: White Sands School District operates schools (K-12) on post for dependent children; small district with close-knit community; District Office: (575) 678-4000
Childcare: Child Development Center on post; call (575) 678-3534 for availability; waitlist possible
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on post; services for active duty members’ pets; call for appointments
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal office on post; appointment-based; contact through USAG White Sands main directory

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Lendlease (privatized housing); single-family homes and townhomes available; housing is within range perimeter; condition generally good; many families appreciate the small, secure community atmosphere
Average Wait Time: Typically shorter than large installations; on-post housing often available within weeks
Off-Post Housing: Las Cruces (25 miles) is the primary off-post community; average rent approximately $1,100-$1,700/month for 3-bedroom home; many personnel commute from Las Cruces; El Paso, TX is another option at greater distance
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit or USAG White Sands human resources for sponsor assignment upon receipt of orders
In-Processing: Report to USAG White Sands welcome center; in-processing generally takes 2-3 days; installation welcome guide available through MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.mil
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service, USAG White Sands; contact (575) 678-3134; note that specialty medical services for EFMP members may require travel to El Paso or Albuquerque

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Arid high desert; hot summers (average high 95F June-August), mild winters (average low 28F in January); very low humidity; over 295 sunny days per year; occasional winter snow; strong afternoon winds in spring; dust storms possible
Cost of Living: Low relative to national average; Las Cruces is an affordable mid-size city; El Paso is also below national average
Nearby Attractions: White Sands National Park (adjacent to range – natural white gypsum dune field); Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument; Old Mesilla historic village (Las Cruces area); Trinity Site open house (twice annually); Carlsbad Caverns National Park (approximately 100 miles east)
Spouse Employment: Las Cruces offers employment in education (New Mexico State University is a major employer), healthcare, government, and agriculture; El Paso metro area provides a wider job market across the border; remote work is common among WSMR families

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/wsmr
Main Installation Phone: (575) 678-1110
MWR Website: https://wsmrmwr.com (verify current URL)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), USAG White Sands; (575) 678-3134; relocation, financial readiness, employment readiness, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://home.army.mil/wsmr; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WhiteSandsMissile_Range; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/u-s-army-garrison-white-sands-missile-range, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law