Commander’s Editorial: Thank you!

link Col. Tony Bauernfeind

27 SOW Wing Commander

Col. Tony Bauernfeind

27 SOW Wing Commander

The mission at Cannon Air Force Base is critically important to our national security. On a daily basis, we take the fight directly to our nation’s enemies by providing specialized airpower to our joint special operations teammates. To successfully accomplish our mission, it takes a team of dedicated and hard-working individuals. Our 27 SOW team consists of active-duty airmen, government civilians, contractors, family members, and very importantly, YOU. To our community partners, you are key members of the Cannon Air Force Base family and we are deeply appreciative of the phenomenal support you have provided to our Airmen and their families. Simply put, thank you for everything that you do for the team and the nation.

Over the past year, we have received outstanding support for events and programs like the Cannon Air Force Base Appreciation Days, Storm the Dorm parties for our young Airmen, the Single Airmen’s Holiday Party, Angel Arms, and Angel Tree … to name just a few. This support is vital to building the morale of our entire team and directly contributes to mission success.

The numerous holiday parties sponsored by the local communities were a phenomenal success! It was a special time of year for us to gather as family and friends. We celebrated the great accomplishments in support of the wing’s mission, as well as several unit and individual awards. These were priceless moments to relax, laugh and reflect.

The Angel Arms program makes it possible for single Airmen and their families to be reunited during the holidays. This year, Angel Arms, conceived locally in Clovis and funded by community donors, has supported 33 such reunions. The program has expanded to the point that it is now capable of operating throughout the entire year, and can provide the funds to send Airmen home due to an emergency, on a case-by-case basis. Very impressive for an organic program that only started in 2011.

Another program that positively affected some of our Air Commando families was the Angel Tree. Through the collaboration of various base organizations, combined with the partnership of community volunteers, children up to 16 years old received anonymous gifts. The generosity of many donors truly made their holiday wishes come true.

To all those that make these programs happen, thank you!

2014 is shaping up to be an exciting period for our Wing. No doubt ... there are some challenging times ahead; but with the professionalism, selfless devotion and dedication of our entire team, I am confident that 2014 will be a rewarding and successful year. Our Air Commandos will stay heavily involved in combat operations around the globe, and we must remain vigilant should the nation need us in emerging hot-spots. Additionally, we will continue to grow the size of the wing as we bring two new missions to the base. These units will enhance and expand our combat capabilities, as well as bring more families into the area. During this upcoming year, we will complete many construction projects, to include a new Airmen’s dormitory and numerous operations and maintenance facilities. We will also initiate or continue numerous construction projects that will contribute to mission success well into the future. Cannon will remain a very busy place to work and live.

Finally, mark your calendars for our 2014 Air Show and Open House, featuring the USAF Thunderbirds flight demonstration team May 24–25! There will be many other military and civilian performers, to include a flying demonstration of Air Commandos in action. We will continue to release details as they are made available.

2014 will be a busy period for our Wing, but with the dedication of our Cannon family and the support of our community partners, I am confident that we will continue our track record of success.