A soldier with the 19th Special Forces Group adjusts an antenna on a Humvee during a training mission at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., Sept. 19, 2012. Melrose has been an integral part of Cannon Air Force Base More
Master Sgt. Kevin Shafer, 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief section chief, left, and Staff Sgt. Joshua Ohienmhen, 16 AMU Non-Commissioned Officer in charge, stand in front of an AC-130W Stinger II gunsh More
105 mm shells are stored in a specialized container during flight to prevent any collateral damage. They are manually loaded one-by-one into the howitzer on the back of an AC-130 aircraft.
David Reeb, New Mexico Division V judge, cheers after unloading a 105mm cannon on a 16th Special Operations Squadron AC-130H Spectre gunship, Dec. 8, 2011. Reeb is the honorary commander for the 27th Special Op More
A U.S. Air Force Airman with the 27th Special Operations Support Squadron leaps over a wall as part of an obstacle course during the 16th Annual Squadron Fire Muster Oct. 16, 2015, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M More
Rosi Cory, Clovis Community College, serves food to Airman 1st Class Shawn Roraback, 27th Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron metals technician, at the 22nd annual Cannon Appreciation Day held at More
The 9/11 memorial formation marches towards the fire station at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 11. The memorial walk was held to honor the almost 3,000 people that died on 9/11 over 200 people participated More
Scott McEntyre and Joe McCluan from the Florida Stay Alive From Education program, teach the dangers of driving through their Street Smart Presentation at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 13, 2011. Car crashe More
Airman 1st Class Dylan Lewark, 16th Special Operations Squadron aerial gunner, loads ammunition onto the gun rack of an AC-130H Spectre gunship during Operation Dark Night at Melrose Range, N.M., Sept. 22, 2011 More
Staff Sgt. Brandon Pfannenstiel, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron, shows kids the F-6A Robot during open house at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 24. The F-6A robot was shown during the mun More
Family members await the return of their loved ones during Operation Homecoming as an aircraft prepares to land on the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 6, 2011. Operation Homecoming was created s More
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rebeca, 27th Special Operations Comptroller Squadron, teaches children Spanish during a cultural event at the Child Development Center at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 14, 2011. Th More
Family members await the return of their loved ones from deployment on the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Nov. 8, 2011. Operation Homecoming is a monthly occurrence where families come together to w More
U.S. Air Force Col. David Piech, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group commander proclaims April 19, 2012 as Arbor Day at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. To commemorate this day, a ceremonial tree is plante More
Matt Rush volunteers for the All American Beef Battalion serving ribeyes to the airmen during the Steaks For Airmen event at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 21, 2012. The All-American Beef Battalion showed s More
Military working dog handlers from the 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron stand outside of the new dog kennels at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 23, 2012. The project was completed mid-April 2 More
U.S. Air Force Col. Wesley Norris stands in front of Chief Master Sgt. Daniel O'Brien before the traditional passing of the guidon at the 27th Special Operations Maintenance Group change of command ceremony at More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Dempsey, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, tightens a bolt on a 40mm weapon loader in a maintenance facility at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., May 2, 2012. During mainte More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Casey Olmsted, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron food service accountant, sprinkles parsley flakes on mashed potatoes at the Pecos Trail Dining Facility at Cannon Air F More
U.S. Air Force Col. William West, 27th Special Operations Group commander, Maj. Brooke Kelly, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron airfield operations flight commander, Lt. Col. Kenneth Mershon, 27 SOSS, Ma More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexander White, 27th Special Operations Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Carrie Facer, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron, assist a civilian aircraft flying through their airspace More
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Caruso, 27th Special Operations Wing command chief, talks about his most meaningful coin received from the 9th Special Operations Squadron in his office at Cannon Air Fo More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kenneth Holt, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, rests in between demonstrations while Staff Sgt. Sean Neisen, 27 SOSFS, answers questions from spectators at Cannon Air More
An Air Commando rides his motorcycle during safety day at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., May 18, 2012. More than 30 motorcycles zoomed across the flightline before concluding the ride in front of the wing headqua More
U.S. Air Force Col. Buck Elton, 27th Special Operations Wing commander, shows off the hit he received from Col. David Piech, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group commander, during the training exercise More
Airmen remove luggage and mobility bags from an aircraft during Operation Homecoming at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., June 4, 2012. Operation Homecoming is a monthly event held to welcome air commandos back from More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Agustine Cansino, 27th Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron physical therapy journeyman, stretches Staff Sgt. Zhong Gee’s arm, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Operatio More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Bryan Delgado, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, installs solid aluminum rivets to replace support brackets on an external fuel tank pylon at Cannon Air Force Base, N More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Kline, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, briefs the 27 SOSFS Deployed Ground Response Element team for a training mission at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., June More
The Andros F6A robot, controlled by U.S. Air Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal team members, carries a backpack containing an improvised explosive device during a hostile threat exercise at Cannon Air Force Ba More
Air commandos gather near the scene of a simulated gunman in front of the Courthouse at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., June 20, 2012. Cannon teamed up with Clovis Police Department during the exercise to diffuse More
A ground power unit provides electrical power for an AC-130H Spectre gunship, assigned to the 16th Special Operations Squadron, during pre-flight operations at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., June 21, 2012. The AC More
Dorm residents play a game of volleyball with members of the Eastern New Mexico University Zia women's volleyball team at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., June 23, 2012. Members from the Portales, N.M., Military Af More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Rosendo Garcia, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment specialist, explains the procedure for maintaining aircrew flight equipment at Cannon Air Force More
A CV-22 Osprey sits on the flightline prior to takeoff at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 5, 2012. The 20 SOS conducted a routine training flight over Melrose Air Force Range, N.M.
The wife and daughter of U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Eberhart, 20th Special Operations Squadron CV-22 flight engineer, anxiously await his return from deployment during Operation Homecoming at Cannon Air More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ryan Williams, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron material management flight, holds an expired individual first aid kit he removed from a mobility bag at Cannon More
U.S. Air Force Maj. Steven Kohut, 27th Special Operations Wing Inspector General, announces the “Excellent” rating received for the 2012 Air Force Special Operations Command Consolidated Unit Inspection at an a More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs specialist, prepares to photograph firefighter joint-training at the burn pit at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. More
Firefighters with the Clovis, New Mexico Fire Department enter the burn pit aircraft to extinguish a fire at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 2, 2012. The pit houses a replicated aircraft equipped with a propa More
Firefighters with the 2th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron enter the burn pit at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 2, 2012. The pit houses a replicated aircraft equipped with a propane tank and severa More
Members of the Clovis, N.M. Fire Department prepare to enter the burn pit to extinguish a fire at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 2, 2012. The pit houses a replicated aircraft equipped with a propane tank an More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jessica Dunn, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron, arrives early to work for breakfast preparation in the Pecos Trail Dining Facility at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., A More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ricky Franklin, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, prepares a cleaning aide in the armament shop at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 14, 2012. Armament troops handle dis More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Megan O'Neil, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels laboratory technician, tests fuel samples for particulate contamination in the fuels laboratory at Cannon A More
The men's varsity basketball team comes together to yell a team chant during the basketball game in the Ftness Center at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 15, 2012. Cannon's varsity basketball team hosted a do More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kaisy Maldonado, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron food service apprentice, places a vase with a rose on the table during the Prison of War/ Missing in Action tribut More
David "Hoag" Kepner sings while playing the drums during a free performance in the Drop Zone at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 20, 2012. Kepner is the lead vocalist and drummer for the band.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Sam Cargill, 551st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, stands in front of an AC-130W Stinger II on the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 18, 2012. The Air Comma More
An AC-130W Stinger II taxis down a newly opened flightline taxiway addition at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 19, 2012. The flightline taxiway is part of the new additions being added to Cannon and will be u More
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marvin Neely, 27th Special Operations Medical Group superintendent, helps prepare sandwiches in the Pecos Trail Dining Facility at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 26, 2012. Mo More
Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape airmen with the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., patrol the Redhorse landing zone at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., Oct. 29, 2012. Aircraft m More
Aircrew members with the 20th Special operations squadron inspect the interior of a CV-22 Osprey on the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Nov. 1, 2012. The $80 million aircraft relies on routine auster More
U.S. Air Force service members prepare for simulated mission scenarios at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., Nov. 8, 2012. Special operations forces utilize the range’s rough terrain and unique layout to conduct re More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Matthew Marshall, 27th Special Operations Contracting Squadron contract specialist, poses for his Diamond Sharp award studio portrait at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Nov. 20, 201 More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dennis Beasley, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, stands ready for his on-camera interview up on the catwalk of the ATC tower at Cannon Air Force Base More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Robert McNicol, 56th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron intelligence analyst, poses for his personality portrait at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Dec. 4, 2012. McNicol was r More
Students with the Airman Leadership School present Dr. Samuel Neff with his own shadow-box during a Hall of Heroes ceremony in the Landing Zone at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. on Dec. 12, 2012. The 27th Special More
An AC-130H Spectre gunship receives a water cannon salute from the base fire department on the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Dec. 20, 2012. The arrival of this gunship marked the first time in more More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class James Wernke, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Squadron electronic warfare systems technician, stands atop an AC-130H Spectre gunship for a photo on the flight line at Cannon More
An auto prober performs a signature analysis scan on a circuit board in the Air Force Repair Enhancement Program shop at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Feb. 28, 2013. Signature analysis information is used to cre More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alicia Marsh, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron food service specialist, stands in the kitchen at the Pecos Trail Dining Facility at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., March More
U.S. Air Force aircrew members with the 318th Special Operations Squadron prepare to board the last C-145As for the final local flight off the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., March 28, 2013. The squa More
Air crews from Hurlburt Field, Fla., secure their aircraft at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Oct. 3, 2013. Air frames from the 1st Special Operations wing were relocated to Cannon in an effort to protect governmen More
Five MC-130J Air Commando II's from the 522nd Special Operation squadron at Cannon Air Force base conduct low level formation training over Clovis, N.M., Nov. 5. The New Mexican landscape provides an optimal tr More
Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, Air Force Special Operations Command commander, meets with local and state civic leaders at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 15, 2019. The meeting was part of Slife's first visit to Cannon More
U.S. Air Force airmen take notes during a John C. Maxwell 360-Degree Leadership seminar Feb. 12, 2014, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The course is DVD-based, but allows instructors to engage with students whil More
Susana M. Martinez, Governor of New Mexico, signs an executive order at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 10, 2018. Martinez visited Cannon AFB to sign an executive order regarding all New Mexico boards and com More
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Marvin Jimerson, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and former basic military training technical instructor, puts cadets at attention Nov. 21, 2014, upon thei More
A maintainer from the 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron installs armor in the wheel well of a factory-fresh MC-130J Commando II Dec. 18, 2014, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Airmen fitted th More
U.S. Air Force Capt. John Kauzlaric, 9th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J combat systems officer, hammers a marker into place April 2, 2015, at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. The bright banners aid pilots dur More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kyle Gaffey, 73rd Special Operations Squadron special missions aviator, stands in front of an AC-130W Stinger II April 10, 2015, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Gaffey helps operate More
Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., listen to a subject matter expert from the 16th Special Operations Squadron give a briefing on the AC-130H Spectre gunship April 17, 2015, at Can More
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ken Pedersen, 27th Special Operations Wing inspector general, explains the capabilities of the flight simulators to 27th Special Operations Wing Staff Agency Air Commandos April 21, 2015 More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nathanael Meyr, 27th Special Operations Wing executive services, receives instructions before taking control of the MC-130 J Commando II simulator during a tour April 21, 2015 at More
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody and retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody pose with members of the 27th Special Operations Wing Medical Group, May 6, 2015, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Cody More
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody and Tech. Sgt. Chad Goff, special assistant to the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, receives their physiological training brief from Staff Sgt. Lorenzo M More
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 27th Special Operations Contracting Squadron carry Staff Sgt. Octavio Valverde, 27th SOCONS contracting specialist, away from danger as part of an exercise June 9, 2015, at Melros More
Firefighters with the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron prepare fire rescue equipment for an exercise Aug. 14, 2015, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Air Commandos conducted joint fire training on b More
Volunteers from the 27th Special Operations Medical Group paint each other with moulage, the simulated injuries that will prompt medics to treat patients at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., Sept. 17, 2015. Twenty More
A security forces member escorts a team of Air Force emergency medical technicians through the Commando Challenge during the 2015 EMT Rodeo Sept. 17, 2015 at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. Twenty-one teams of el More
Members of the 26th Special Tactics Squadron lower the U.S. Flag during a retreat ceremony dedicated to the memory of Senior Airman Mark Forester, Sept. 29, 2015, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Senior Airman Fo More
Cannon firefighters assigned to the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron await the raising of the flag to half-staff during a ceremony dedicated to the fallen firefighters Oct. 4, 2015, at Cannon More
Maintainers with the 727th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and aircrew with the 20th Special Operations Squadron prepare CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft for an aerial and ground demonstration More
Air Commandos gather to take in the 2015 Holiday Parade at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The parade featured 25 floats from 27th Special Operations Wing squadrons and agencies, and concluded with a tree lighting More
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Olin Smith, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament expeditor, expresses his surprise after learning he has been promoted through the Stripes for Exceptional Per More
Command Sgt. Maj. William Thetford, U.S. Special Operations Command senior enlisted adviser, speaks with aircrew assigned to 524th Special Operations Squadron Jan. 7, 2016, during his visit to Cannon Air Force More
An adornment created to celebrate the night’s events serves as a dessert table during the Maintenance Professional of the Year banquet Feb. 26, 2016, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The MPOY banquet is an annual More
Cadets with the U.S. Air Force Academy depart Cannon on an MC-130 J assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron April 10, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The Commando II flight with 27th Special Operati More
Medics with the 27th Special Operations Medical Group apply simulated injuries to Major Accident Response Exercise volunteers May 10, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The exercise tests Cannon’s first respon More
Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team unload their equipment in preparation for the Cannon Air Show May 26, 2016, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The 2016 Cannon Air Show is an opportunity to celebrate More
Joe Sherwood, Good Morning Lubbock news reporter, prepares for a media flight with U.S. Air Force Thunderbird #7 as part of the 2016 Air Commandos on the High Plains air show May 26, 2016 at Cannon Air Force B More
Four generations of Air Force Special Operations gunships--the AC-47 Spooky, AC-130U Spooky, AC-130W Stinger II, and AC-130J Ghostrider--fly in formation above the Air Commandos on the High Plains air show May More
Senior Airman Kirstin Dykes, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron K-9 handler, bonds with Military Working Dog Candy moments before a demonstration May 28, 2016, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The 2 More
CV-22 Ospreys with the 20th Special Operations Squadron trail behind an MC-130J Commando II during the Air Commando Capabilities demonstration at the Air Commandos on the High Plains air show May 28, 2016 at Ca More
Jumpers with the U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue sail above crowds at the 2016 Air Commandos on the High Plains air show May 29, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. The 2016 Cannon Air Show highlights the unique More
Air Commandos with the 27th Special Operations Contracting Squadron and the 27th Special Operations Comptroller Squadron transport to a simulated forward operating base June 13, 2015 at Melrose Air Force Range, More
Air Commandos with the 27th Special Operations Contracting Squadron and 27th Special Operations Comptroller Squadron break down the tents that held their living and working spaces during a deployment exercise J More
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron sets up training devices for fellow technicians to disarm October 12, 2016, at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. Th More
Air Commandos and community members from the towns surrounding the 27th Special Operations Wing gather to show their support for the 318th Special Operations Squadron March 20, 2017 in Clovis, N.M. The vigil co More