Press Release - 16 SOS transfers flag to Cannon Published June 15, 2009 By 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs Office CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 16th Special Operations Squadron will hold a squadron flag-transfer ceremony at 1 p.m. this Friday, June 19, to mark the official transfer of the squadron from Hurlburt Field, Fla., to Cannon Air Force Base. Detachment 1 of the 16 SOS stood up at Cannon in July, 2008, to which a handful of people were assigned in order to prepare the way for the arrival of eight aircraft and nearly 500 people who compose the entire 16 SOS and 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. On May 19, 2009, the first two AC-130H Spectre gunships aircraft arrived at Cannon for permanent assignment. By the end of June, more than half of the personnel will be in place at Cannon and will continue to move here until Nov. 30. By July 15 the aircraft transfer will be completed and all flying operations will be accomplished at Cannon. The AC-130H Spectre gunship's primary missions are close air support to defend friendly forces on the ground, air interdiction against preplanned targets or targets of opportunity, and force protection, such as defending air bases or facilities. The AC-130H is armed with 40mm and 105mm cannons. For more information about the 16 SOS or the AC-130H Spectre gunship, look at the fact sheets on www.cannon.af.mil or call the Cannon Public Affairs office at (575) 784-4131. Media interested in attending the ceremony should call the Cannon Public Affairs office no later than noon Thursday, June 18.