Cannon's upcoming open house Published March 31, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Shelby Kay-Fantozzi 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Preparations for performances, static displays, games, food and drinks at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., have already begun in organizations across the wing working together to stage an air show, the first here since 2006, that may bring out the biggest crowd this base has ever seen. Months of planning and teamwork will take place before the event kicks off May 24, including coordination with guest performers such as the Thunderbirds, the high-performance air demonstration squadron, and Wings of Blue, the global parachuting performance team comprised of jumpers from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the 98th Flying Training Squadron. "When I found out about the open house, I asked 'the boss' [Col. Tony Bauernfeind, 27th Special Operations Wing commander] if I could name some of our best and brightest staff to help with planning," said Col. Heather Buono, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group commander. Buono named Maj. Michael Stefanovic, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron Operations officer, as "ground boss" and Capt. Jesse Calland, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron Operations officer, to head up support functions. In spite of all of the action in the air, major organization is required to keep the ground component of the show running smoothly. "Ground leadership will take care of logistics like mapping out the components of the day's entertainment, arranging traffic flow and setting up accommodations for the Thunderbirds," said Buono. "From maintenance to contracting to finance, it's an opportunity for everyone to come together. Airmen all across the wing will help provide manpower to run the open house." In addition to the guest performers, Cannon aircraft will play a huge role in the show, with the remotely-piloted MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, the AC-130W Stinger II, the AC-130H Spectre gunship, the MC-130J Commando II, the CV-22 Osprey and other combat vehicles and equipment all making appearances in the air or on the ground. "Being a special operations Airman, I'm excited to see Cannon's air crews do what they do best," said Buono. "We're going to have the opportunity to demonstrate what happens on this installation. I'm looking forward to showing off our capabilities to our local and neighboring communities." The open house is slated to take place May 24 and 25, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information on the event, visit the Cannon website.