White Sands to get new engineering battalion

New Mexico’s senators announced today that the U.S. Army plans to station a new engineering battalion at White Sands Missile Range, increasing the base’s population by about 245.

The move is part of a plan to increase the size of the Army by 65,000 soldiers in the next six years. The Army will move its 70th Engineering Battalion and reflag it as the WSMR 2nd Engineer Battalion in June of next year.

“This move will be very good for the Army and WSMR,” said U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, who serves on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “White Sands offers an ideal research and test facility for the Army and I have no doubt the military personnel who will be stationed there will be warmly welcomed by the entire region.”

“This is terrific news for White Sands Missile Range. The people, assets and capabilities at WSMR are second to none and I am very glad the Army is tapping our world-class test facility to house this important battalion,” U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman said.

The move will involve $71 million in federal funds for site preparation, utility infrastructure and construction. It’s expected to bring an estimated 145 families and 240 children to the area.

White Sands currently has 460 military employees and about 2,550 civilian employees, in addition to about 3,220 contract employees. The annual payroll for its civilian employees is about $170 million, and it’s about $14 million for military employees.