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Airmen combat tumbleweed invasion

  • Published
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Airmen enlisted in a community clean-up effort in the City of Clovis, N.M., Jan 27, were unaware that their efforts and their efforts would gain national news coverage.

Wind warnings were issued earlier in the week and the National Weather Service reported sustained winds around 40 mph with peak gusts as high as 61 mph. The following morning there were reported levels of tumbleweeds as high as roof-top level restricting residents from leaving their homes across the Clovis community.

"Before an official request was made to the base, Cannon already had volunteers on their way," said Stacey Martin, Clovis' Committee of Fifty president. "It's reassuring to know we can count on the base time and time again."

In conjunction with the Clovis Public Works Department, Cannon Air Commandos reached out to clean up numerous roads, driveways, and were unprepared for the magnitude of tumbleweeds they encountered.

"I never expected to see anything like this," said Airman 1st Class Dylan Updegrave, 27th Special Operations Communications Squadron. "When I learned of the opportunity to assist the local community with this invasion, I expected no more than a knee-high layer of tumbleweeds. I definitely did not expect tumbleweeds to have reached residents' roofs!"

Aside from the nuisance of being engulfed by thousands of tumbleweeds, residents and city officials had serious safety concerns considering the fire hazard the tumbleweeds created.

"One public works employee recounted a harrowing encounter. He found himself face-to-face with an elderly lady in tears, expressing her fear and desperation for being held captive within her home." said Martin.

Cannon volunteers also witnessed the seriousness of the situation.

"You could see it in their faces - the shock; and it made all the sense in the world for them to feel like that," said Airman 1st Class Alexander Reimers, 27 SOCS. "Our efforts were worthwhile. These residents also exhibited tremendous appreciation for our presence and quick response."

Surprisingly, the 'windy season' has yet to arrive, and Monday's clean-up is a good reminder - that this land holds its own unique, yet powerful forces. Welcome to the High Plains.

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