Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Defense Community Partnership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
White Sands Missile Range leaders visit county commissioners, highlight 80-year partnership and $90M local impact
Summary
New White Sands commander Col. Andrew R. Morgan and Command Sergeant Major Acevedo met the commission and described the range's role in national testing, rebranding as "America's Range," and local economic ties.
Colonel Andrew R. Morgan, the new commander of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), and Command Sergeant Major Acevedo met with the Dona Ana County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 12 to emphasize the base's longstanding partnership with the county and regional economic impact.
Jonathan Macias, assistant county manager, introduced Col. Morgan and summarized the colonel's résumé, noting his NASA assignments and leadership background. Col. Morgan described the range's dual focus on mission readiness and community integration and said the organization is marking the 80th anniversary of White Sands Proving Ground.
"We are mission focused... The mission that we do at White Sands Missile Range is vital to our national security," Col. Morgan said, stressing the range's role in weapons and space testing. He added the base is "community focused" and described long-standing ties from El Paso through Las Cruces and north to Alamogordo.
Commissioners noted WSMR's local economic footprint; the colonel and command sergeant major said roughly 6,000 people in Las Cruces work at White Sands and that the range accounts for approximately $90 million annually in revenue to the county. Col. Morgan said the range is rebranding itself as "America's Range" to reflect a national role.
No formal action was required; the visit was presented as a ceremonial and relationship-building opportunity. Commissioners thanked the visitors and welcomed the new command team.
