FORT WINGATE, N.M. – The skies above Cibola County have become a proving ground for some of the U.S. Army’s most advanced missile defense systems.
Fort Wingate, a military installation in neighboring McKinley County, has been the launch site for several major missile tests in recent months, sending rockets soaring over Cibola on their way to White Sands Missile Range.
From Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) tests to Black Dagger short-range ballistic missile targets, the pace of testing has noticeably increased, solidifying Fort Wingate’s place in modern missile defense development.
Most recently, another missile test took place between February 11 and 14, once again closing portions of the Mt. Taylor Ranger District to ensure public safety. As of press time, details on that launch had not been released.
While Fort Wingate is in McKinley County, these missile tests have direct implications for Cibola, as the rockets streak across the region’s airspace. With Grants just 53 miles away, these tests are an increasing presence in the region’s skies.
On December 11, 2024, the U.S. Army successfully conducted a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Limited User Test at White Sands Missile Range, launching the missile from Fort Wingate’s Launch Complex to its target at Yucca Point, New Mexico. This test marked a major milestone, as it was the first time active- duty soldiers independently launched a PrSM using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
Sgt. 1st Class Maggie M. Vega, a test officer with the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, explained the significance of the soldier- led test, saying, “The significance of this being the first soldier-led test is profound. It ensures the system is evaluated under realworld conditions, incorporates direct soldier feedback to optimize usability, and fosters trust in the equipment.”
This test also reinforced the Army’s Long Range Precision Fires modernization effort, ensuring that future missile systems remain accurate and reliable when deployed in combat.
While the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) test focused on offensive firepower, the Black Dagger missile program has been central to improving missile defense systems. The December 6, 2024, Black Dagger missile test at Fort Wingate demonstrated the capabilities of the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), a nextgeneration radar system designed to track and intercept incoming missiles.
“This test moves the LTAMDS radar one step closer to acquisition and deployment,” said Cain Crouch, chief of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) Tech Center’s Targets Division. “LTAMDS is one of the most advanced radars in the world and will help our warfighters become more efficient in detecting incoming threats, ultimately saving lives on the battlefield.”
During that test, an interceptor missile successfully tracked and destroyed a Black Dagger target, proving that the LTAMDS system is nearly ready for deployment.
Fort Wingate has been a key part of military operations for more than 150 years, first as an Army depot and now as a testing facility for the latest missile defense technologies. Though its primary mission officially ended in 1993, its location, large open airspace, and proximity to White Sands Missile Range make it an ideal launch site for longrange missile testing. The Army has used Fort Wingate for missile tests since the 1960s, and in recent years, the site has played an increasing role in national security advancements.
The fort is also significant to Native American tribes, particularly the Navajo Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni, who inhabited the land long before the military arrived. Fort Wingate’s history is deeply tied to these communities, and its presence continues to be a point of discussion as the Army expands its testing operations.
With multiple missile tests conducted since November, and the February launch marking yet another in a rapid succession, it is clear that Fort Wingate’s role in national defense is growing.
“This successful demonstration of integrated air and missile defense systems to engage Black Dagger targets increases soldier confidence that, when the time comes, they will be able to successfully defend against ballistic missile threats both at home and abroad,” said Justin Novak, target test director.
For residents of Cibola County, these tests mean continued temporary closures of public lands near Mt. Taylor and the sight of missiles cutting across the sky. The U.S. Forest Service has urged compliance with safety restrictions, warning that violations of closure orders can result in fines up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations.
As of press time, there are no current closures in the forest, but their increased frequency is noteworthy.
Although Fort Wingate’s primary mission ended decades ago, its legacy continues to grow. Today, it stands at the forefront of next-generation missile testing, proving that its role in national security is far from finished.
As global threats evolve, so too does the technology needed to counter them. Whether through Precision Strike Missiles for long-range attacks or Black Dagger tests for missile defense, Fort Wingate continues to be an essential part of U.S. military advancements— one missile test at a
time.
Courtesy of the US Army