Fort Bliss, Texas, is a major post of the United States Army. Since the 1940’s, Fort Bliss has served as a center for air defense training. The post’s training areas, missile firing ranges, and facilities cover about 1,100,000 acres (445,000 hectares) in Texas and New Mexico. The base was established in 1848 as an infantry post. In 1854, it was named Fort Bliss for Lieutenant Colonel William W. S. Bliss, an aide to the future U.S. President Zachary Taylor during the Mexican War (1846-1848).
