WSMR holds annual Rancher’s Day
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (May 8, 2024) – White Sands Missile Range hosted its annual Rancher’s Day to honor its ongoing relationship with ranch land owners surrounding the installation. The day included an exclusive tour with subject matter experts to the Electromagnetic Radiation Effects Site, Mineral Hill on the Bataan Memorial Death March route, the Cox Ranch, and ended with lunch at the Frontier Club.
“This is a great event that I’ve been part of for several years and it’s a really great opportunity for WSMR leadership to connect with the local community and ranchers that have played such a vital role in the mission we have here for national defense over the last 75 years,” said WSMR Test Center Technical Director Tristan Gilbert.
“I am excited to have the ranchers out here today. This is an opportunity to mingle with them, answer any questions they may have and to get an understanding of any concerns that we can address,” said WSMR Test Center Commander Col. Shawn Smart.
WSMR Commander Col. George C. Turner was the guest speaker during lunch and discussed the future of testing, how the local ranchers contribute to the future of the army, and the ongoing goal of recruitment within the Army and civilian workforce on the installation. The attending ranchers provided unique and valuable perspectives to nurture their working relationship with the installation and how WSMR can calibrate its efforts in combatting recruitment challenges.
“We are glad to have Rancher’s Day to host the local ranchers as we develop the way ahead on our relationship in building the future Army,” said Turner.