White Sands Missile Range Commander Brig. Gen. Eric Little hosted his final Town Hall at WSMR Oct. 24 at the Post Theater.

WSMR Commander holds his final Town Hall

White Sands Missile Range Commander Brig. Gen. Eric Little hosted his final Town Hall at WSMR Oct. 24 at the Post Theater.

Little will soon leave WSMR for the U.S. Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado following a change of command ceremony scheduled for Nov. 2.

Little started off by asking the community to support engagements on post and to support the Frontier Club and other facilities on post by having events at those locations.

He then went over some of the funding priorities on post.

“I’m going to share with you what we messaged to the Army where we are asking for investments,” Little said.

First and foremost, he said an area where WSMR is requesting resources is the Power Sub Station, which will provide uninterrupted power to the installation during outages. He also mentioned certain buildings on post that are potential safety hazards, the condition of four of our Fire Stations, and upgrades needed at the Las Cruces and El Paso gates related to force protection security inspections.

Little then went over some points from the recent TEA Talk given by Maj. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss.

Isenhower, considered one of the Army's leading experts on Multi-Domain Operations, discussed the future of the Army and the way the U.S. will fight and how this is tied to WSMR.

“Our ability to replicate the operational environment for our warfighters…there is no better place in the Department of Defense than right here,” Little said. “Anticipate some growth.”

Little then talked about the closure of the Oro Grande gate due to force protection violations.

“We have got to do better with regard to force protection,” Little said.

He said plans are in the works to re-open the gate in the near future for a couple of hours each day to allow employees access. Also, additional security measures will be implemented at the gate to include a spike strip or tiger teeth, which is designed to puncture tires if vehicles enter from the wrong direction.

Finally, Little reminded federal employees about the Hatch Act and told them to remember that the Hatch Act restricts their political activities.

He said the Hatch Act exists to maintain trust and confidence.

White Sands Test Center Commander Col. Shawn Smart also presented at the Town Hall.

Smart announced that effective Oct. 1 they have been monitoring the speed on select GSA vehicles at WSMR. She said there will be consequences for employees driving at excessive speeds. For more information and details talk to your supervisor.

Also, due to the number of accidents in GSA vehicles, following an investigation, employees who are found to be at fault for the accident will now be responsible for paying the deductible for damage to the vehicle.

By Miriam Rodriguez

WSMR Public Affairs