Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – Members of the New Mexico congressional delegation today welcomed news that the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) will station its 16th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base.

U.S. Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman, with Representatives Heather Wilson, Tom Udall and Steve Pearce, were each informed of the decision by AFSOC Commander Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster.

Stationing the 16th SOS at Cannon will involve the subsequent arrival of eight AC-130 aircraft and associated crew and support personnel to the base. Aircraft could begin arriving in October 2008, while the deployment could eventually bring an estimated 600 military personnel and 300 contractor and civilian positions to Cannon by the end of FY2009.

“This assignment represents what I hope will be the first major wave of AFSOC personnel to Cannon over the next few years. We are working to prepare the base for this influx of aircraft and personnel that will make Cannon a premier AFSOC base,” said Domenici, who serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

“This is more good news for Cannon Air Force Base. We’re looking forward to the hundreds of Air Force Special Operations personnel from this squadron -- and their families -- moving to our state,” Bingaman said.

“At this time three years ago, the future of Cannon Air Force Base was uncertain,” said Wilson. “But the community pulled together to save Cannon Air Force Base and I was proud to be a part of that effort. This announcement today is one more step towards strengthening Cannon's role in our national security.”

“I welcome the squadron to New Mexico and to Cannon,” said Udall. “I am confident they will enjoy the training benefits of all that Cannon has to offer, and the warm welcome they will receive from the community. Cannon has long played an important role in keeping America safe, and I am confident that the 16th Special Operations Squadron will help to continue the base’s tradition of excellence.”

“We are excited by the arrival of the gunships. New Mexico is uniquely suited to provide AFSOC with the kind of environment needed for their training. I look forward to supporting the Air Force’s plans to upgrade the gunship fleet in the future,” Pearce said.

The 16th Special Operations Squadron is one of eight flying squadrons of the 16th Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The 16th SOS fields the AC-130H Spectre gunship, a heavily-armed aircraft designed for close air support, armed reconnaissance, interdiction, night search and rescue, and airborne command and control.

The 16th SOS trains and maintains its combat-ready force to provide highly accurate firepower in support of both conventional and unconventional forces.

The delegation last year supported enactment of the FY2008 omnibus appropriations bill which included $10.7 million for military construction projects at Cannon. The president’s FY2009 budget request also recommended $18.1 million for a maintenance hangar at Cannon.