AFSOC and Cannon: Looks like it's official!

[McGillicutty]

Moving aircraft are in bold.

Special Operations coming to Cannon
By Marlena Hartz: CNJ staff writer
[email protected]
Created on: June 20, 2006 - 9:25AM - 20753

The mission to save Cannon Air Force Base has been accomplished.

Cannon will soon become home to the Air Force Special Operations 16th Wing, New Mexico’s congressional delegation announced this morning.

The base is expected to expand in aircraft, and possibly in personnel, within the next two years, officials announced in a celebratory conference call.

“It will change rather dramatically ...,” Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said during the conference.

Five types of aircraft will be stationed at the base west of Clovis: MC-130Hs, AC-130Us, CH-53s, CH-47s, and V-22s. The CH-47, and the CH-53, are helicopters. The V-22, or osprey, also operates like a helicopter.

The new mission will bring at least 22 more airplanes to the base, according to local officials. Typically, 200 Army personnel will also train with the 16th special operations wing during any given day, according to Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M.

It is likely Cannon will absorb “roughly three times as many” support personnel and crew members as a result of the mission change, Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M, said, though officials were cautious about the numbers. They said they expected to have more details within 10 days.

“(This mission) is very different than the one (Cannon) has had historically,” said Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M.

Special Operations training will be largely conducted at night, according to members of the congressional delegation. The F-16 jets currently stationed at Cannon conduct most training exercises during the day.

The transition of personnel, planes and missions will begin in October 2007, although some personnel and equipment shifts will begin immediately, officials said.

The bulk of Special Operations training is currently conducted at Hurlburt Field in the Florida Panhandle. But smaller commands are spread around the country, as well as overseas. The units specialize in unconventional warfare, psychological operations, special reconnaissance and other special operations areas, according to the Web site, www.globalsecurity.org.

“This is an historic, momentous occasion for New Mexico,” Gov. Bill Richardson said.

Officials said the Melrose Bombing Range attached to Cannon and the region’s resemblance to hot zones in the Middle East attracted the Air Force Special Operations Command to Cannon.

The Command had been looking for a western base as the result of heightened terrorism threats.

The military branch is expected to mushroom significantly in the coming years.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has said he envisions a growing role for forces that can function in small units, sometimes clandestinely, to hunt down and kill terrorists and to work with friendly foreign forces.

“This is a great fit for a mission in New Mexico,” Chairman of Operation Keep Cannon and staunch Cannon advocate Randy Harris said.

“(It) makes sense for a lot of reasons.”

 

[Deuce130]

Ouch. Sell your boats and buy ATVs. Start buying houses now, I think the price of real estate in Clovis just went up.

 

[SIG600]

So does this mean no more good deal 130 flying in NW FL?

 

[McGillicutty]

At HRT, AC-130H's are going to stay.

 

[SIG600]

I guess I should've elaborated a little bit. No more good deal RESERVE 130 flying in NW FL?

 

[Deuce130]

I guess I should've elaborated a little bit. No more good deal RESERVE 130 flying in NW FL?

The 919th SOW won't be affected by the Canon move. At least not yet, anyway. I would bet change is a'coming, however.

 

[SIG600]

Eh... I've got a few more years of commitment before I can pursue that anyway. Hope their still there. Kangaroo Jacks needs my support.

 

[McGillicutty]

One theory is that they'll move duke birds over to hurby and remain reserve but as is the case with much of this shuffle.. it's just rumor.

 

[dtfl]

One theory is that they'll move duke birds over to hurby and remain reserve but as is the case with much of this shuffle.. it's just rumor.

The other course of action I saw that was agreed upon was Duke has no aircraft and all the reservists are in "flights" attached to AD units at HRT in MCs and Acs and whatever other aircraft they decide to fly.
In true military fashion - I see an email that there are planes going out to Cannon for photo shoots and statics....in the middle of the ORI. :-\
Half the fleet in the war - the other half in the ORI and now we need to send a few to NM for a photo op?

 

[SIG600]

So then what's to become of Duke? That location is way to valuable to just close the doors.

 

[dtfl]

So then what's to become of Duke? That location is way to valuable to just close the doors.

They arent closing it. The 919th will stay there...they just won't own any aircraft. Who knows...they can put many of the NUMEROUS new AFSOC aircraft there...or use it for an Exercise base, etc. Eglin (Air Amt Center) owns the base not AFSOC - they can do what they want with it.

 

[HarryShadow]

Latest rumors on the overseas units???

 

[Goose17]

that sucks!

Hurby was a great location. Beautiful part of the country that many people won't want to leave. As a former Talon-II guy though, I can say it was always difficult to find terrain to fly low level around. The southeast is pretty flat. I think there will be more terrain-following low level options out west. Now try to convince your wife of that!

Good luck to all.

Goose17

 

[Deuce130]

Latest rumors on the overseas units???

Two main rumors: 1) All overseas basing will be phased out and the MC-130H's and MC-130P's will be brought home to HRT and Cannon.
2) Overseas MC-130Hs will move to Cannon, MC-130Ps stay at RODN and EGUN.


Where do you fly Shadows? I was at the 9th and 17th.

 

[milplt]

That's just wrong. Bad side of AFSOC - family gets to spend a lot of time without you. Good side - at least they are in Navarre/Ft Walton Beach while you are deployed. Now, there will just be the bad side. What a way to hose the dudes doing the J-O-B.

 

[Uppercrust]

Cannon......For gods sake CLOSE THAT HOLE!!

 

[McGillicutty]

From the office of Senator Pete Domenici:

The Special Operations mission at Cannon will give us a stronger role in the Global War on Terrorism. With work at Kirtland AFB, Holloman AFB and White Sands Missile Range, our state will be key to remaking our military into a more mobile and resilient force.

Thanks Pete.

 

[tomgoodman]

Reese & Laredo too

Cannon......For gods sake CLOSE THAT HOLE!!

But it's so conveniently located! Only a few hours' drive to beautiful Webb AFB, Big Spring, Texas.

Oops, I forgot. They closed that hole. :laugh:

 

[ExAF]

Hear! Hear!

Cannon......For gods sake CLOSE THAT HOLE!!

I agree completely...Spent a week there one night!

 

[dtfl]

The one good thing about Canon is AFSOC will have their own CAS and ECM range.....but if the Hurlburt guys want desert training they will have to go TDY there...and if the Canon guys want training that simulates S America or Pacific, they have to go TDY to HRT to fly into TN mountains.

I hear its not a bad 90 mile drive to Lubbock. And I hear they have a Chilis in Clovis now.....so when they go they can say "We are going to THE Chili's" vs "We're going to Chili's"
Nice..

 

[HarryShadow]

Look on the bright side...hang on...nope, lost it!

 

[Uppercrust]

I've been there once and flown over it many times. I can not think of a more desolate operational CONUS AF base. The lone exceptions even comparable are Edwards, Holloman, or Laughlin. Been to all of them and Cannon takes the cake. I bet the SPECOPS guys are furious. They deploy and fight the good fight and in return get Cannon. In these dark times one must rely on faith and that faith is....Service before self. For those staying in the SPEC ops community the country owes you a debt of gratitude.