Main Gates Closed Wednesday At White Sands Missile Range

White Sands Missile Range will close its main gates Wednesday, Oct. 18, as part of an installation-wide exercise designed to test the post's ability to respond to an active-shooter emergency. Planning for the event began nearly a year ago, and the exercise does not come in response to the tragic shootings in Las Vegas earlier this month. WSMR holds a post-wide exercise every year designed to evaluate its ability to deal with real-world emergencies. Exercise scenarios vary. Both the Las Cruces and El Paso entrance gates will close at 9 a.m. and remain closed for approximately one hour. Post residents and visitors are asked to plan ahead in order to avoid unnecessary disruptions to scheduled activities. The exercise applies to all of Team WSMR including military members, Department of Defense civilians, supporting defense contractors, family members who live on post and individuals visiting installation facilities. Anyone entering the base should be prepared for 100 percent ID checks. As the exercise unfolds, visitors can expect delays at the entry gates to include random vehicle checks. Team WSMR members are asked to use caution and be attentive to detours when attempting to reach their destinations during the exercise. Planners will use the installation's public address system, called Giant Voice, for exercise announcements during the event.