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LAS CRUCES -- In the not-too-distant future, Brig. Gen. John Regan said you might "see a lot of people (asking) 'Sprechen Sie Deutsch?'"
You might also notice more of the inquiry "parla Italiano?" although Regan didn't attempt that one because he admitted "my Italian is worse than my German."
White Sands Missile Range's commander spoke Thursday at Hotel Encanto as part of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce's annual Military Update Luncheon. He said there are several projects headed the facility's way, including testing for the Medium Extended Air Defense System, known as MEADS. Slated to start in 2012, the program will be a coordination between the United States, Germany and Italy to replace the Patriot Missile Air Defense System with the Hawk and Hercules missile systems.
"We already have renovations under way for the buildings they'll be occupying," Regan said. "They'll be occupying some of those facilities this summer."
But the news did not end there, because, "There's lots of good stuff going on," Chamber President Kiel Hoffman said.
Another initiative that Regan said is coming to WSMR is "the most important program that senior leadership of the Army has dedicated to, is what is called The Network."
The idea is to create a system of communication that is cutting edge.
"They designated White Sands and Fort Bliss as the center of testing for that," Regan said. "The Army is working really, really hard to tie soldiers in around the world so that you
There are a variety programs that the military hopes to blend into one symbiotic system.
"Each program will be developed individually, but you have to get them all together and make sure they work as a system," the general said.
Scott Launer has worked at WSMR for more than 20 years, the last 14 as project manager with Tresco Inc., and its contracts with the Navy. He was on hand to hear Regan speak and said he liked what he heard about the future.
"We're seeing some positive situations over the last year," Launer said.
In addition, Regan said WSMR will probably gain a program called Joint Urban Testing.
"This is an initiative to build a test center where we can test our equipment in an urban environment," he said. "The office of the Secretary of Defense has put aside about $90 million to built that. Right now we're the leading candidate."
Also, improvements are being made at the facility for the 2nd Engineer Battalion, which is deployed in Iraq, including a new motor pool area, new administration area and new dining area, a project totaling about $100 million. About $50 million more is awaiting approval from Congress that would go toward new barracks and a new medical clinic.
With the new programs looming, though, Regan said that he could not say how much, if at all, the work forces at WSMR would increase.
"We always say, 'With new missions, we need more bodies here,'" he said. "But just like in business, you get a dialogue back and forth about, 'Can you be more efficient?'
"(The Army will have to) figure out what the right mix of new people is vs. retooling our existing work force."
Brook Stockberger can be reached at (575) 541-5457.
Coming up
Here are some of the upcoming events at White Sands Missile Range:
• Holiday Ball, Dec. 10
• Baatan Memorial March, March 27
• Trinity site visit, April 2
