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Show Anny Research and Development News Magazine of Harmony • W8IV1R Gains Trust in Off-Range Faring Program Off-range launching of U.S. Array misaik'S-from areas involving flight across land owned by thousands of ranchers and farmers in a 4-state area to impact 400 to 500 miles away at White Sands (N- Mex.) Missile Range-is Hearing a decade of real harmony. In the realization that the missiles are being tested in developing the United States' defense posture, owners of millions of acres of private land or in the public domain have cooperated with WSMR leaders in a spirit of trust and confidence. Since the first Pershirig artillery ballistic missile was successfully launched from Fort Wingate, N. Mex., in October 1963, some 160 of the 10,000-pound vehicles have roared from launchers there and from southeastern Utah at Gilson Butte, Blanding and Green River. Hundreds of other missiles, including Army Sergeants and Air Force Athena and Hound Dog missiles, have been test fired during the same period from off-range sites in the Four Corners area to impact areas on White Sands Missile Range. The Array's need for off-range launch sites evolved with missile technology. Daring the 1950s the emergence of highly sophisticated and powerful missiles and rockets made the 100-mile-long White Sands Missile Range a less desirable test location. In the face of potential public concern over an Army "land grab," and public apprehension of missile flights above populated areas, WSMR officials early in 1962 were faced with the requirement to establish missile launch sites as far as 400 miles beyond the range boundary. Essential to success of this effort was public acceptance of the program in the Four Corners area so that needed land for launch sites cei/id be obtained. Planning was based on thiee initial test series involving the Army Sergeant from Datil, N. Mex.; the Army Pershing from Fort Wingate and Blanding; and the Air Force Athena research vehicle from Green River. The public had to be convinced the missile tests were necessary to the national defense efforts, were completely safe, were normal operations made possible by advances in the art of missilery, and that utilization of the land involved would be on a temporary basis. ' WSMR officials briefed congressional delegations, state governors, city officials, and . gave special briefings to the news media in New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Arizona. " Films and displays were produced to portray all possible aspects of the program. News releases from WSMR stressed the rigid safety precautions and explained the necessity for off-range testing. Much of the .off-range flight corridor between Green River and White Sands Range lies within ihe Navajo and Ute Indian domains. A special effort was needed to explain the program to these people, long conditioned to distrust the "white man." Interpreters were commissioned to visit the Lodges of chiefs to explain-to them and their people-in their own tongue the necessity and safety of overflights. A movie narrated in Navajo was produced for shewing in the In iSian country. Because of the coan/le.misa involved in OCTOBER-NOVEMBER AS72 if;i!aching missiles, exhibits alsso were used to explain the many parameters of an actual missile launch, flight and recovery. Most notable among these was a 5-unic electronic exhibit complete with continuous play tape recorders, movies and still picture projections to tell the WSMR story. '. In 1963 the New Mexico governor, Jack M. Campbell, said the Army's off-range firing program was "safer for New Mexicans than driving on highways." Since 19(54 the over-flight missiles have not injured any person in the public domain. An occasional malfunction results .in flight safety personnel aborting a missile (light, Following impact, recovery crews are dispatched to the scene immediately to retrieve the components and to restore the area to its original condition, for safety purposes as well as ecological purposes. Less than a score of missiles, including; Pershings and Athenas, have landed out ofv the safety zones provided. However, no property damage has occurred and WSMR officials; report that there has been tin significant' public concern. |
