Airmen, families turn out for Commando Day

USAF photo: Staff Sgt. Heather R. Redman Airmen and their families line up to take a tour of an AC-130H gunship during Commando Family Day on Sept. 19. The AC-130H gunship was part of a static display of four aircraft that airmen and families toured.

With the sun shining down on the flightline, reflecting off of hundreds of smiling faces, servicemembers, their families, and different organizations from around base gathered for Commando Family Day on Sept. 19 as music echoed across the open plateau.

Airmen and their families were invited out to the flightline to get a better understanding of what it is they support here as one of only two active duty wings for Air Force Special Operations Command.

Aircraft from the different operational flying squadrons were on display as well as demos and displays from explosive ordnance disposal, the fire department, and many more.

“I think he’s really excited about the planes,” said Emily Eide, wife of Capt. Stephen Eide, 33rd Special Operations Squadron. Eide was referring to their 2-year old son, Brett.

Eide has been at similar events at other bases, but she said it was a great opportunity to get the family and be able to show her children what her husband does in support of Cannon’s ongoing warfighting mission.

As grills from various private organizations and booster clubs wafted the mouthwatering odor of hamburgers and brats across the flightline, the 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron was raffling off different prizes including a flat screen television, gift cards and other items.

The day of festivities and entertainment was limited only to those who live and work at Cannon.

“We wanted to keep it specifically for airmen,” said Col. Ruedi Kaspar, 27th Special Operations Wing vice commander.

By limiting the day to just people with base access, it allowed people an opportunity to see the operations side of Cannon for people who might not normally get a chance to go out to the flightline.

“It showcases the abilities of the wing to the employees of the wing,” said Kaspar.

With the weather on everyone’s side and plenty of opportunities to see what many different organizations do, Commando Family Day was a chance for everyone to feel like a kid again, if only for a few hours on a sunny Saturday in September.