Letters From Citizens of Cannon AFB Regarding Possible Closure Page: 3 of 205
This letter is part of the collection entitled: Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
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BRAGC rnjs!onm
cDLATICN FErD CANNON Re.,c .
To the distinguished BRAC committee,
We are the communities of Curry and Roosevelt County that have had the
honor of having Cannon Air Force Base a part of our community for more than 50 years.
There are many reasons that Cannon should NOT be on the BRAC list,
Some of the things are the abundance of air space, void of any encroachment
issues. The future use of super sonic fly space, the fabulous weather that permits a year
round training ability, In addition, the Melrose bombing range is seconds from the end of
the runway at Cannon, which allows pilots to get airborne and immediately begin training
operations over the bombing range, rather than spending all of their fuel just to get to the
range, having one pass over, then returning to the base.
Cannon has the space and facilities to accommodate joint war fighting, training,
and readiness as was evidenced by the recent joint training effort between Cannon and
the US Navy. Cannon has won countless awards, both on the ACC level, Air Force and
NAF levels, and national and STAT levels,
In the early 90's, Curry County, in conjunction with the state of New Mexico
purchased air easements around Cannon Air Force Base and GAVE them to the Air
Force, This was done to protect that air space from encroachments and was an important
issue for the Air Force as it is today. The local community purchased land North of
Cannon Air Force Base and GAVE it back to the Air Force for additional housing, now
known as Chavez Manor. Within the last few years, our community purchased land west
of Cannon and GAVE it back to the Air Force for the installation of instrument lighting
on the alternate runway at the base.
As hopefully you will personally witness, the relationship between Cannon Air
Force Base and the surrounding towns: Clovis, Portales, Lubbock, Amarillo and many
others is UNLIKE ANY OTHER INSTALLATION IN THE COUNTRY. These towns
are home to large military retiree populations which rely on Cannon Air Force Base for
healthcare, grocery shopping and more.
Our community has reached out and supported the base like no other community
over the past 50 years. We've done so financially, morally, spiritually and above all,
consistently. We are proud, honored and blessed to have Cannon Air Force Base and will
stand behind it and everything it stands for every step of the way.
Sincerely, .
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Letters From Citizens of Cannon AFB Regarding Possible Closure, letter, July 21, 2005; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc18276/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.