Officials celebrate final OK for new Cannon mission

New Mexico’s leaders today hailed the final approval of the new mission for Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, which will begin Oct. 1.

Though it had been previously announced that the base would become home to a special operations wing of the Air Force Special Operations Command, an environmental impact statement was holding up final approval. The Pentagon signed off on the statement today, finalizing the mission.

Gov. Bill Richardson said today’s signing was “great news for the people of Eastern New Mexico.” U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce said the new mission “will only increase the synergy of New Mexico’s significant role in the United States’ defense and military development.”

Cannon is now on track to begin its new mission on Oct. 1. It will be equipped with about 100 manned and unmanned aircraft and the three-year buildup will eventually include 4,400 to 5,600 active-duty personnel.

“While not unexpected, it is certainly a welcome announcement that the environmental impact statement has been completed. Any time you’re dealing with environmental issues, you can’t quite be sure until it’s a done deal,” U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici said. “With this important part of the process behind us, we can now focus on moving forward to expand the mission at Cannon Air Force Base and ensure its long-term viability.”

U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman said the state “can now be assured that Cannon will continue playing a key national-security role for our nation, and that the base will remain a vital part of eastern New Mexico’s economy. This is a victory for the delegation, the state, local officials and the communities of Clovis and Portales.”

U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson said the new mission “is a great fit for New Mexico, and this is a huge step forward. We all look forward to welcoming this new mission and new friends to Cannon.” And U.S. Rep. Tom Udall said that, while Cannon’s mission may have changed, “the commitment to service of the men and women at Cannon has not. Today marks a victory for the Clovis and Portales communities.”

Richardson agreed.

“On behalf of the hard-working and committed residents of Clovis, Portales and surrounding communities, I’d like to recognize the Department of Defense for taking into account all of the great things that Cannon has to offer a new mission,” he said.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who chaired the state’s commission on military base realignment, said today is “a great day for celebration, knowing that all requirements and assessments are satisfied and the National Environmental Policy Act process has been completed. The Clovis community and all New Mexicans have shown their continuous commitment to taking care of the men and women of the U.S. Air Force.”