WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (April 25, 2025) – As the United States Army celebrates its 250th birthday this year we are reminded of how Soldiers, families and Army civilians have supported our nation by bearing true faith and allegiance to the country, the U.S. Constitution, the Army, their units, and fellow team members through their service.
Since 1775, the U.S. Army has offered endless possibilities and opportunities for service to our nation by creating a sense of purpose through personal growth and professional development; empowering Soldiers and civilian employees to be part of something greater than themselves and to be all they can be.
As White Sands Missile Range looks to the future mission and vision of Army 2030, the range reflects on the rich history and legacy of service, sacrifice and dedication it has contributed to the Army and greater Department of Defense for national security. Through testing, WSMR has ensured equipment is effective, suitable, survivable, and safe for service members, and has remained steadfast in its commitment to being the trusted agent of the Soldier.
From the Manhattan Project to present-day fully Soldier-led Precision Strike Missile testing, our civilians and Soldiers have consistently demonstrated their resolve to defend freedom at home and abroad.
Under the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command and greater U.S. Army Futures Command, the "Birthplace of America's Missile and Space Activity" was officially established in 1941 originally as the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range to train World War II bombing crews. Four years later it became White Sands Proving Ground on July 9, 1945, and one week later the historical testing of the first atomic bomb was conducted at Trinity Site on the range. The range proceeded soon after to produce the first photographs and film of the earth’s curvature from a V-2 rocket in space.
Since then, WSMR has continued to uphold the ATEC motto, “Truth in Testing,” by planning, integrating, and conducting experiments, developmental testing, independent operational testing, and independent evaluations and assessments. This testing is conducted to ensure Soldiers are provided with reliable and efficient capabilities needed to keep them safe and to fight and win our Nation’s wars. With a focus on space activity, the range has supported some of the world’s most advanced space exploration programs alongside NASA such as hosting the landing of Space Shuttle Columbia in 1982, through to the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft in 2024, at White Sands Space Harbor on the range.
In addition to testing, WSMR honors Army Veterans, families, and the local community through supporting outreach and engagement events. This includes the annual Trinity Site Open House for public viewing of the Manhattan Project’s ground zero, our support of the Las Cruces Veterans Day Parade, and holding Ranchers Day in appreciation for the cooperation in sharing land and resources with surrounding landowners for mission testing. WSMR also holds the Bataan Memorial Death March where the last known survivor, Valdemar DeHerrera, a World War II veteran from New Mexico continues to attend the annual event on post at 104 years old alongside countless other descendants and family members.
With over 200 career choices for Soldiers and more than 500 career paths available for civilians, Army possibilities are as diverse as the people that make up the force and the country they serve. WSMR has remained dedicated to nurturing STEM education programs to local students of all ages starting with summer science camps for middle school and high school students such as the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science summer program, an Army Educational Outreach Program initiative. Installation leadership continues to maintain strong working relationships with educational leaders at New Mexico State University and University of Texas El Paso by providing STEM internships and capstone project support to their senior students, yielding in engineering employment opportunities with the range upon graduation.
The U.S. Army birthday is June 14; during that week Americans can celebrate by attending events in June throughout the nation.
This year, WSMR will be celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday with festivities the week of including its highlight event with the annual Army Ball on June 14. WSMR soldiers, family members, civilians, and greater Las Cruces and El Paso community members are encouraged to secure their tickets and attend this celebratory event. For more information click here: https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=1072582&k=0361450B7E5F7F
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