Discussion focuses on defense funding, military operations and local impact of the installation

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich met Monday with leadership at White Sands Missile Range to discuss the installation’s role in national defense, military operations and the regional economy.

Heinrich met with Senior Commander Col. Andrew R. Morgan, Command Sgt. Maj. Hermes F. Acevedo, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Patrick D. Smith, Chief of Staff Patrick Curran and U.S. Navy Detachment Site Director Abran Parra.

According to Heinrich’s office, the meeting included updates on operations at the range and its role in testing, energy infrastructure and defense-related development in southern New Mexico.

The office said Heinrich has secured $38.5 million for White Sands Missile Range in the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, part of more than $192 million directed to the installation during his time in the Senate.

White Sands Missile Range is a major employer in southern New Mexico and supports testing and training missions tied to national defense and emerging technologies.

“Delivering for our service members and cementing New Mexico’s role as a leader in national security is a responsibility I take very seriously,” Heinrich stated in a news release about the visit. “Through my tenure in Congress, I have made advancing our defense capabilities a top priority. White Sands Missile Range supports high-quality jobs that New Mexicans can build their families around and is critical to advancing our leadership in emerging defense and space capabilities. I will keep working to secure investments in New Mexico’s military installations, and strengthen our state’s economy and our defense assets for decades to come.”

Heinrich also highlighted provisions in recent defense legislation affecting service members stationed at installations in New Mexico.

Those include changes to TRICARE travel reimbursement rules, lowering the distance threshold from 100 miles to 75 miles. The change affects service members and families at White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base who often travel to El Paso for specialized medical care.

Recent defense legislation also includes a 3.8% pay raise for service members, following increases approved in the previous fiscal year.

Heinrich’s office also cited funding for the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program, which supports military installations — including White Sands — in addressing land use conflicts and environmental pressures such as drought, wildfire and flooding.

Heinrich also passed into law the Downwinder Commemoration Act to recognize the harm endured by New Mexico’s Downwinders following the 1945 Trinity Test.