For the third time in recent months, the U.S. Army has issued a temporary area closure in the Mount Taylor Ranger District for a missile test launch from Fort Wingate to White Sands Missile Range. This will mark the second such missile launches in three months as international tensions rise.
The missile test is scheduled to occur in two phases: December 4–6 and December 10– 13, weather permitting.
In preparation for the launch, the U.S. Forest Service has issued a Temporary Area Closure Order (03-03-02-24-17), which will restrict access to public lands, roads, and trails within the designated area. The order will be in effect from 2:00 PM on December 4 through 4:00 PM on December 6, and again from 2:00 PM on December 10 through 4:00 PM on December 13.
The closure affects significant portions of the Mount Taylor Ranger District, including National Forest System lands within Township 14 North, Range 16 West, and adjacent areas. Key roads and trails, including segments of NFS Road 547, will also be closed to public use during the designated times.
A detailed map of the closure area is available on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands website under Alerts & Notices.
To ensure public safety, only individuals with specific Forest Service permits or those performing official duties related to the missile test are exempt from the closure. Violations of the closure order may result in fines up to $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for organizations, as well as imprisonment for up to six months.
A Second Test in a Period of Heightened Security
While these tests are common, their frequency and timing come at the same time as rising global tensions turn to threats by nuclear armed countries against the United States.
This marks the second missile test launched from Fort Wingate in just over a month, proof of increased activity at the site which had concluded its primary mission in 1993. Fort Wingate has been repurposed for missile testing, with launches typically aimed at the White Sands Missile Range. Recent tests have included the Black Dagger Short Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), used to simulate real-world threats, and refine missile defense systems.
This latest missile test comes as global leaders, including NATO’s Military Committee Chair Dutch Adm. Rob Bauer, warn of growing geopolitical instability. Speaking at a recent European Policy Centre event, Bauer urged businesses to prepare for a “wartime scenario” by shifting production lines away from reliance on nations like China and Russia, emphasizing that “while it may be the military who wins battles, it’s the economies that win wars.”
The increased focus on missile defense comes as international conflicts and security concerns dominate headlines, placing greater emphasis on military preparedness and technological advancements.
The U.S. Army and Forest Service emphasize the importance of public compliance with the closure order to ensure safety and avoid disruptions. The temporary restrictions aim to protect both visitors and personnel involved in the missile test.
For further information, residents can contact the Mount Taylor Ranger District at (505) 287-8833 or the White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs Office at (575) 678-1134. Additional details, including the official closure order and map, are available online.
As this latest test draws closer, Cibola County residents can expect another spectacular yet sobering display in the skies, a display of the critical role missile defense plays in today’s uncertain world.