Putting Money Down:
Following
BRAC
2005, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico has made good on a pledge
to provide money to ensure the Air Force can improve and expand
operations at Cannon Air Force Base—and keep the new western base
for special operations off any potential future base closure lists.
In
a June 24 release, noting the state’s $5 million investment,
Richardson said, “We are fulfilling a promise I made to modernize
Cannon Air Force Base and increase its military value to the Air
Force.” The money is to go toward transfer of state land to the Air
Force to expand the Melrose Bombing and Gunnery Range, which was one
of the prime features that attracted Air Force Special Operations
Command to select Cannon for its western base. New Mexico Finance
Secretary Katherine Miller signed a memo of understanding with Air
Force installations chief William Anderson this week. The land has
yet to be identified, according to the release, but Miller said
state offices would "work diligently" to identify "potential land
that meets Air Force requirements." Base officials planned to begin
using the existing range for
AC-130 gunship training earlier this year. In addition to the
AC-130, AFSOC plans to place the new CV-22 and a
proposed light gunship, in addition to other SOF aircraft with
the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon. (Read
Special Operators Head West)
Mr. Mark Roverse (Click here for his bio), Chief Engineer for the Space Vehicles Directorate (RV), U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), speaking at our November 2007 luncheon.
Maran Vedamanikam, then PACA Vice President, thanks Mr. Roverse for speaking at our November 2007 luncheon.
Please click here to download the AF Today slides presented by Air Force Col Robert E. Suminsby, Jr. at one of our monthly luncheons.
