AC-130H

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- One of two 16th Special Operations Squadron AC-130H Spectre AC-130H gunships taxis onto the flightline May 19. The 16 SOS formerly transfers from the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hulburt Field, Fla., to the 27th Special Operations Wing at the end of June. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class James Bell)

New Gunships Arrive at Cannon

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Each of the two AC-130H Spectre gunships assigned to Cannon will sport a unique symbol. The Spectre has been the symbol of the 16th Special Operations Squadron and the AC-130 gunship since inception in the late 1960s. The Spectre represents the unit's special operations mission, usually carried out at night, where they attack quickly and precisely and then vanish, much like the phantoms of folklore do. The unit's motto, "Spectre," represents the nickname of the aircraft the squadron has flown since the Vietnam era. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class James Bell)

Memorial for Jockey 14

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE N.M. - Col. Micheal T. Plehn, 27th Special Operations Group commander, established the Jockey 14 live-impact area at the Melrose Bombing Range March 14. Jockey 14 is named in remembrance of an AC-130H gunship which had an in-flight explosion March 4, 1994 over the coast of Kenya while in Somalia 14 years ago. Eight crewmembers were killed, while six survived. Jockey 14 was a 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla., asset. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class James R. Bell)

Ready for Lift Off

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M.- A CV-22 Osprey prepares to take off at base operations March 11. The aircraft takes off like a helicopter and flies like an airplane. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Evelyn Chavez)

Final fighter squadron leaves Cannon

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The final 522nd Fighter Squadron jet makes its flight over Cannon Dec. 21. The 522FS was the final F-16 fighter squadron to inactivate at Cannon after a decision from the Base Realignment and Closure Commision forced the base to find a new mission. As a result, Air Force Special Operations Command took control of Cannon and their first squadron, the 73rd Special Operations Squadron, is in place now. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Erik Cardenas)

Rolling along

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- A tumbleweed frames a CV-22 Osprey being towed at Cannon AFB, N.M., on Sept. 25, 2007. Cannon AFB will be transferred from Air Combat Command to Air Force Special Operations Command on Oct. 1. Ospreys are among the special operations aircraft that will be assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing which - as the 27th Fighter wing - flew F-16 Fighting Falcons at the base from 1995 to 2007. Air Force photo by Greg Allen