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Cannon opens its house to the public

  • Published
  • By Greg Allen
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  In October 2007 the 27th Special Operations Wing unfurled its colors here as the newest Air Force Special Operations Command wing. With few people and fewer aircraft, the base simultaneously began a transformation to a special operations unit as well as carrying out real-world missions.

On April 17 the base opened its gate to the public to showcase its Air Commandos and much of the new aircraft and hardware that makes it unique. It was the inaugural open house for 27 SOW, and despite the cold, wet weather, a steady stream of visitors made their way across the flightline to walk through some of the aircraft and sit in others.

Aircraft on display included the MC-130W Combat Spear, AC-130 H Spectre gunship, MQ-1 Predator, HH-60G Pave Hawk and MC 130H Combat Talon II. The CV-22 Osprey was not on display as planned due to poor visibility and icing conditions between Kirtland Air Force Base, its home station, and here.

"We want to be part of the community and we want the community to understand that this is their base," said Col. Stephen Clark, 27 SOW commander, explaining one of the reasons for the open house.

The colonel said that it helps when the public has the opportunity to see the mission Airmen are performing because Cannon is their base as well.

Dennis Hokanson and his 8-year old son, Cooper, made the two and one-half hour drive from Dumas, Texas, to the base, "because I wanted to see how my tax dollars were being spent."

While Mr. Hokanson spoke with Airman about what they did, Cooper became entranced with the Talon explosive ordnance disposal robot on display, courtesy of the base's Explosive Disposal Ordnance flight. Staff Sgt. Jacob Balik operated the robot and Cooper quickly backed up as it approached him and closely inspected its "hands" and "eyes" as it moved to Sergeant Balik's commands.

"This is cool," said the second grader, speaking but never losing eye contact with the lifesaving device. Finally, after about 30 minutes of interaction, Cooper reluctantly held on to his father's hand as they moved down the flightline to look at something else.

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from Kirtland drew the interest of many visitors, young and old alike. They patiently waited for their turn to sit behind one of the twin 7.62 Gatling guns perched on each side of the aircraft.

"We came down for the open house to explain to people what we do in the Air Force and the helicopter community. And also to explain that we even have helicopters in the Air Force, which a lot of people don't know," said Senior Master Sgt. Robert Dinsmore, 58th Special Operations Wing.

The 58th Special Operations Wing's arrived from Kirtland where their Airmen train mission-ready special operations, rescue, and MC-130 aircrew students.

Colonel Clark said that the open house could be a precursor to an air show, something the base has not had since 2006, and something what would be another first for the 27 SOW.

"We'll take a look at an air show in maybe a year, year and a half," he said.

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