An AC-130W Stinger II rolls through a stream of water, down a newly opened flightline taxiway addition at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 19, 2012. The flightline taxiway is part of the new additions being added to Cannon and will be used to park up to 18 additional aircraft that will be grafted into the Cannon fleet sometime in the next three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)

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An AC-130W Stinger II is sprayed by fire trucks while taxing down a newly opened flightline taxiway addition at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 19, 2012. The flightline taxiway is part of the new additions being added to Cannon and will be used to park up to 18 additional aircraft that will be grafted into the Cannon fleet sometime in the next three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)

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An AC-130W Stinger II taxis down a newly opened flightline taxiway addition at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 19, 2012. The flightline taxiway is part of the new additions being added to Cannon and will be used to park up to 18 additional aircraft that will be grafted into the Cannon fleet sometime in the next three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)

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Concrete foundation promises solid future

Published Oct. 19, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- It was a proud moment for the 27th Special Operations Wing as the first AC-130W Stinger II taxied onto the newest flightline taxiway addition at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 18.

The 27th Special Operations Maintenance Group and 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron commanders stood by with a dozen contractors as the aircraft maneuvered over what they could only describe as a critical stepping stone toward the future of Cannon.

The $35 million project was nearly two years in the making and drew from two separate contracted companies for completion.

"It's awesome to finally be standing on the first building block of many more to come that will turn Cannon into the premier base for the Air Force," said Steven Hill, 27 SOCES chief of programs. "It makes me feel extremely proud and honored to be part of this historical moment. As Col. Piech has said - 'we don't live history at Cannon, we make it'."