#White sands missile base upgrade

The units hosted at White Sands Missile Range are deployed there for short periods of time. Most weapons and equipments were first tested here before being sent on the battlefield. They had a prisoner-of-war status.Įver since that moment, White Sands Missile Range was constantly updated and part of the most important American conflicts, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War or the Cold War. Among the troops that assisted at some rocket tests, the Americans brought in a few German scientists as well.

#White sands missile base upgrade

Later that summer, after the upgrade was complete, the Army successfully tested the first atomic bomb. Besides, the troops deserved better living conditions as well. In the summer of the same year, the authorities decided to invest a little in the modernization of this base. In 1945, they were all renamed to what the site is known today as. The base was expanded again to host these operations as well.īefore 1945, the place was an amalgam of testing ranches. Due to the lack of human communities around it, White Sands Missile Range was an excellent spot. By 1944, before World War II was actually over, the War Department was looking for an appropriate site to test some missiles. Soon after the Pearl Harbor attacks, the government leased more land to set up a massive bombing range. Its primary mission was to empower the United States of America before joining World War II.

It was initially designated as an airfield for the Army. It was established in 1941, but on a way smaller area. It has enough room to support any types of tests or training sessions. White Sands Missile Range has a rich history, mostly because of its size. The primary mission of the site is to support the Army regardless of the actions it is involved in. Some of the most popular operations that take place there include satellite tests before launching, flight tests and missile testing. NASA also used this place for a landing site during the Space Shuttle operation. Its primary mission implies testing all the weapons the Army can benefit from. The base is operated by the United States Army. The close proximity to Fort Bliss and its 2400 square km range form a huge area exclusively used for military tests. It is located in the southern part of New Mexico. It covers almost 8300 square km and spreads over five different counties. White Sands Missile Range is simply the widest and largest military base in the United States of America.