Home of the 27th Special Operations Wing (27th SOW), Cannon Air Force Base is named after General John Kenneth Cannon, a World War II Mediterranean combat commander and former chief of U. S. Air Forces in Europe. The missions of the wing include infiltration, exfiltration and re-supply of special operations forces; air refueling of special operations rotary wing and tiltrotor aircraft; and precision fire support. These capabilities support a variety of special operations missions including direct action, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, personnel recovery, psychological operations and information operations.
Learn about the rich history of the 27 Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base: THE STEADFAST LINE
In 1906, Santa Fe Railway engineers were ordered to locate a town site in the newly developing ranch and farm area of Eastern New Mexico for a terminal. Clovis was incorporated in May 1909. In the mid 1920's, Portair Field was established on Cannon's site. It was a civilian passenger terminal for early commercial transcontinental flights. In 1942, Clovis Army Air Base was the first military unit to use the facility as an Army glider detachment. In 1943, heavy bombers arrived and it was renamed Clovis Army Air Field and in 1947, the installation was inactivated. In July 1951, the base became the responsibility of Tactical Air Command and was home to the P-51 Mustang. In November 1951, the base officially became Clovis Air Force Base. On June 8, 1957, the base was renamed Cannon Air Force Base in honor of the late General John K. Cannon, a former commander of the Tactical Air Command. For more history on Cannon AFB visit the installation's homepage.
More than 20,000 persons make up the entire Cannon Community which includes active duty, civil service & NAF employees, contractors, dependents and retirees.
Cannon's population is approximately: 5,211 active-duty service members, 5,099 retirees, 530 GS, and 180 NAF civilians.
The Clovis population is approximately 37,775. Portales population is approximately 12,141
Cannon AFB is located approximately eight miles west of Clovis (Curry County), New Mexico, directly off Highway 60/84. Cannon is approximately 80 miles south of Tucumcari, 51.1 miles east of Ft. Sumner, 100 miles west of Lubbock, Texas, and 90 miles northeast of Roswell, New Mexico. This rural, high desert region of New Mexico is agriculturally based and has a medium/high cost of living;10.4% lower than the National Average.
The Cannon AFB main gate is just off U.S. Highway 60-84. People arriving on US Highway 70 (from the south) should take State Highway 467 to the Portales gate. Both gates are open 24/7.
Upon arrival, connect with your sponsor, CSS/Sponsor Monitor, and Commando Readiness Center (100 Air Commando Way, Bldg. 1 first floor) during normal duty hours. Civilians should report to the civilian personnel office, 110 Alison Ave., during normal duty hours. If you are staying on base, Caprock Inn (billeting) is located at 331 Eagle Claw Blvd., Building 1900. To make reservations call 575-784-2918/DSN 312-681-2918.
Prior to arrival, contact your sponsor or CSS to identify your transportation needs. If you are not flying into Clovis Municipal Airport, Denver Air Connection. (575)769-7890. Other airports options are in Lubbock, TX (approximately 1 1/2 hours away); Amarillo, TX (Approximately 2 hours away); Roswell, NM (approximately 2 hours); and Albuquerque, NM (approximately 4 hours away) from base.
You can contact The Clovis Shuttle; provides service from Clovis, Lubbock, Amarillo, Roswell and Albuquerque airports to Cannon AFB. Call 575-749-4118 for current schedule and fares. Reservations are required! You can arrange for the shuttle to drop you on or off base. They accept pets in kennels; may be an additional fare.
From Amarillo, Texas
If driving, take I40 to I27 South toward Lubbock; turn west on Highway 60 at Canyon, TX. Stay on Highway 60 to Texico, NM where you'll pick up Highway 84 west to Clovis (approx. 7 miles). Cannon AFB is approximately 7 miles west of Clovis, still on Highway 60/84.
Greyhound Bus Lines are available from Amarillo call 800-231-2222 for current schedule and fares. The bus stops in Clovis but you have to make arrangements for transportation with your sponsor.
From Lubbock, Texas
If driving, take Highway 84 west (passing through Littlefield TX, Muleshoe TX, and Farwell TX) in to Clovis NM and Cannon AFB.
Greyhound Bus Lines provides service from Lubbock call 800-231-2222 for current schedule and fares. The bus stops in Clovis, but you have to make arrangements for transportation with your sponsor. There are no taxi or shuttles to Cannon AFB.
From Albuquerque, New Mexico
Kirtland AFB is located in Albuquerque; base information is provided for your convenience while in transit. For Lodging at Kirtland (on a space available basis), please call (505) 846-9653. For transportation call 505-846-2396 (if no answer call the Command Post at 505-846-6432).
If driving from Albuquerque, take I40 East approximately 116 miles to Santa Rosa. At Santa Rosa, exit to Highway 84 South 48 miles to Fort Sumner, then go east about 58 miles to Cannon AFB.
To fly directly into Clovis Municipal Airport, you can contact Denver Air Connection at 866-373-8513 and online at denverairconnection.com for bookings and flight information.
Greyhound Bus Lines provides bus service from Albuquerque to Clovis call 800-231-2222 for ticket information.
Base Transportation
Currently there is no base transportation on this installation.
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.
