Cannon firefighters add to their arsenal Published Feb. 5, 2008 By 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Firefighters received a belated holiday present Jan. 25 when they received a 3,300-gallon firefighting vehicle from Little Rock Air Force Base. Known as the P-23, the $750,000 vehicle provides 3,300 gallons of foam and water capabilities, more than twice what was previously available to them. The vehicle went in service on Jan. 28. One result of Cannon's transition to Air Force Special Operations Command is the change from F-16 Falcons to C-130 aircraft assigned to the base. The C-130 is a much larger aircraft and more foam and water is necessary to secure critical fire areas and protect firefighters and aircrew. "The addition of the P-23 now gives Cannon its full complement of firefighting agents," said Chief Master Sgt. Brian Foster, the chief of Cannon's Fire Emergency Services Flight. Senior Airman Stephen Mercer, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, is a P-23 operator who arrived from Elmendorf in November. He said he is impressed with what the P-23 brings to Cannon. "I like its capabilities," he said. "It's firefighter friendly." The search for equipment that would fit the 27th Special Operations Wing mission took about a month, said Chief Foster. "Little Rock AFB identified an excess P-23 in their inventory and, through an inter-command process, transferred the vehicle to us in December" Chief Foster said. "The firefighting communities here were instrumental in securing shipment and delivery of the vehicle." Chief Foster added that the 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron Fire Truck maintenance shop did an outstanding job keeping the P-23 mission-ready by correcting a significant oil leak that prevented the vehicle from service the day it arrived. "The initiative and resourcefulness of the SOLRS team made all the difference and allowed firefighters to continue their first-class protection," he said. A second P-23 is due back to Cannon from depot overhaul in mid-March. According to Chief Foster, the rest of the base's firefighting fleet will be upgraded or replaced as required to support mission growth.