Cannon to update security technology Published Nov. 26, 2007 By Airman Elliott Sprehe 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Security is a necessity of any military installation, and with technology rapidly accelerating, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command has contracted for a survey of surveillance systems to look at different solutions for both Cannon and Hurlburt Field, Fla. Two representatives from Applied Research Associates, Inc. were asked by AFSOC to come out to Cannon to evaluate camera systems and prepare an integration plan. "They're experts on force protection measures and anti-terrorism measures and they specialize on surveillance systems," said Lt. Col. Mark Brown, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group deputy commander. Over the course of the week, they visited each camera site to check the systems and cameras to see if they could centralize each system, said William Hacker, one of the representatives of ARA. Although changes will be made in the surveillance equipment, most won't be that noticeable to most of the base population, said Colonel Brown. The implementation of new technology is one item that was discussed as well as centralization of the various surveillance systems, said Mr. Hacker. "It's going to improve the quality of our security," said Colonel Brown, referring to the different camera sites around base. "It gives security forces more tools to do their job," said Mr. Hacker. As an example, Hurlburt Field has surveillance over their main gate that records vehicle license plates to detect and deter anyone who may have been banned from base or shouldn't have access, and that is one item that was briefly discussed for implementation at Cannon, said Colonel Brown. "Security forces are extremely busy. Their [operations] tempo is going like crazy, both Aerospace Expeditionary Force deployments and also new Special Operations Forces (SOF) taskings," said Colonel Brown. "This project is a good step toward potentially easing their home station workload and enhancing overall base security."