Photo by Miriam U. Rodriguez

Artwork created by students at the Alan A. Nord Youth Services Center was on display at the Frontier Club Jan. 5-7 for judging during the White Sands Missile Range Boys and Girls Club of America Fine Arts Exhibit.
Selected artwork will be taken to the next level for competition.

Army budget supports force
WASHINGTON -- The Army revealed its Fiscal Year 2011 budgets Feb. 1, including $143 billion to fund training and sustainment of the total force, and an additional $102 billion to fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During a budget briefing at the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Edgar E. Stanton III, the Army's military deputy for budget, detailed the overall rationale behind items in the Army's portion of the Department of Defense's FY11 budget requests that will go forward to President Barack Obama. That rationale included the Army's budget priorities.

"The Army leaders have focused on caring for our people -- that's our Soldiers, our families and our civilians," Stanton said. "We focus on training and equipping Soldiers and units for the current fight and then we revitalize our people-- the entire gamut of people, Soldiers and civilians -- for whatever the next development might be."
Feb 4, 2010, 10:19 am

Airman to support warfighter from the ground

Photo by Drew Hamilton 1st Lt. Kyle Spain, becomes forward air controller.

A White Sands Missile Range Airman will go from supporting the warfighter, by developing new missiles, to supporting the warfighter on the ground when he transitions to the position of forward air controller.

1st Lt. Kyle Spain, a project engineer with the 46th Test Group WSMR detachment, will soon enter a new career field as he transitions to take on the role of forward air controller. As a forward air controller Spain will be assigned to an Army unit where he will manage and coordinate air assets to help ensure that the Army unit knows what air assets are available to them and can employ them in the most effective way possible. Spain will also have the ability to embed with an Army unit and go with them on missions in order to help direct air assets from the front lines where they are needed.


Feb 4, 2010, 12:51 pm

Seven steps to help prevent threats
White Sands Missile Range residents and employees are encouraged to stay vigilant against threats to the installation.

While there are no specific threats to WSMR from terrorist or criminal elements at this time, members of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security want WSMR residents and employees to be prepared and on the lookout for signs that terrorists may be planning an attack, both on and around WSMR. “We at the grassroots level need to get it out to the local population that they need to be more vigilant, not just at work, but at home too,” said Don Nixon an antiterrorism officer with DPTMS.

Nixon explained that even though criminals and terrorists have different goals and motivations, the strategies behind preparing to execute a terrorist act and preparing to execute a crime is often very similar. Being on the lookout for the indicators can therefore help prevent either one.
Feb 4, 2010, 01:20 pm

WSMR now taking Hall of Fame nominations
White Sands Missile Range is now accepting nominations from all sources until the end of March for its hall of fame.

The hall of fame was established in 1980 to honor former missile range personnel who made lasting contributions of an outstanding nature.

Past honorees include such individuals as Wernher von Braun, the famous German rocket scientist, and Dr. Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer who discovered Pluto.
Feb 4, 2010, 01:24 pm

WSMR announces test series
WSMR PAO
White Sands Missile Range officials announce that a series of tests and military exercises involving the firing of artillery munitions is being conducted on the missile range. The exercises will continue occasionally through Feb. 15.
While all the activities are conducted within missile range boundaries, sounds may carry to local communities. Some activities are planned during evening and early morning hours.
Any questions regarding the current activities or for additional information on White Sands Missile Range, please contact the White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs office at 575-678-1134.
Feb 4, 2010, 01:25 pm

Make the right play to save lives this Super Bowl Sunday
The National Football League (NFL), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other State and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to remind everyone to designate a sober driver if they plan to be drinking alcohol on Super Bowl Sunday.

“We want to pass our safety message to everyone who will be drinking this weekend, real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” said WSMR Police Chief Michael Kandoll. “Please act responsibly, designate a sober driver before the Super Bowl party begins and leave your car keys at home.”
Feb 4, 2010, 01:26 pm