White Sands Missile Range

The White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) — formerly Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range (1941-1945), the White Sands Proving Ground (1945-1946), and New Mexico Joint Guided Missile Test Range (1947-1957) — is an American military testing area and currently the largest military installation in the United States, encompassing some 3200 sq. mi. (8300 km²) across the New Mexico counties of Doña Ana, Otero, Socorro, Sierra, and Lincoln, and includes two national parks, White Sands National Park and the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge, within its borders. The range operates under the military jurisdiction of the United States Army.

Of interest

• The range was the site of the Trinity Test, the first experimental detonation of a nuclear weapon by the United States Army, an event which occurred at 05:29:21 MWT (11:29:21 GMT) on 16 July 1945 in the northern Jornada del Muerto desert near the Oscura Mountains of Socorro County, New Mexico.
• Daniel Fry claimed to have been taken aboard a flying saucer at the White Sands Proving Grounds on 4 July 1949.
• The alleged site of the Treasure of Victorio Peak is currently within the WSMR territory.