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Cannon showcases base to the public

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jette Carr
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  "This is my first time to get to go on a plane!" said 6-year-old Clovis local Brayden Bryant, fidgeting excitedly as he spoke about going to the Cannon Air Force Base Open House, Sept. 24. He grinned while he talked about the 'big guns' and imitated the sound of the weapons going off as he waited in line for a bus to take him on this adventure.

The 27th Special Operations Wing held their second annual Open House, a free public event, to give the surrounding community more insight into the mission and capabilities of the Air Commandos.

"I think these open houses are a great way show the public what we are doing here, what our job is and how we affect them," said Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Leopard, 27th Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron emergency medical technician.

Many aircraft were on static display such as Cannon's MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, MC-130W Dragon Spear, AC-130H Spectre Gunship and CV-22 Osprey. Crew members from each squadron stood near their aircraft to answer questions and give insight into their jobs.

"It's been a good experience," said Capt. Tyler Oldham, 20th Special Operations Squadron pilot. "The crowd has been really interested today. They asked a lot of great questions about our aircraft, the CV-22, like - what is its mission, what can it do and how long has it been at Cannon."

Besides the aircraft on display, the event included base vendors, a crafts table and games for children, the Wild Blue Country Air Force Band and military working dog teams and explosive ordnance disposal demonstrations. Many squadrons hosted booths to raise money for their units, one of which was a dunk tank where Col. Scott Corcoran, 27th Special Operations Medical Group commander, took a swim.

"Two of my three children have managed to dunk me so far," he said laughing. His 6-year-old daughter Julianne, used an unconventional method, running up to hit the target with her hand on a dare from another person in the 27 SOMDG.

"It was funny," she giggled.

Many people said they were envious of Corcoran because he was nice and cool in the hot sun. This was a welcome change in the weather, said Leopard. She remembered the last open house was held in the spring of 2010 and felt freezing cold. Leopard said she thinks if it wasn't for the cold attendance would have been higher last year.

This year however, thousands of people, both from the base's surrounding cities and as far away as Lubbock, Texas, and Albuquerque, N.M., showed up to take part in the festivities, taking advantage of the opportunity to learn what Cannon has to offer.

"We think it is important to show our local community, friends and families the incredible Airmen, aircraft and equipment we have at Cannon Air Force Base" said Col. Buck Elton, 27th Special Operations Wing Commander. "Our specialized airpower mission will continue to grow, and we intend to improve and expand this special event by adding more aircraft, displays and aerial demonstrations each year."

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