Commando Family Day

CANNON AFB, N.M.--Tech. Sgt. Marc Richard, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron, helps his son Conner Richard sit on an all terrain vehicles during Commando Family Day here Sept. 19. ATVs are used for easier movement during training exercises around the base and local areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heather R. Redman/RELEASED)

Commando Family Day

CANNON AFB, N.M.--Caleb Chambers looks at an M-4 carbine with an M-203 grenade launcher at the security forces display booth during Commando Family Day here Sept. 19. Squadrons from around the base displayed items that demonstrated their capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heather R. Redman/RELEASED)

Commando Family Day

CANNON AFB, N.M.--Major Michael Boyer, 73rd Special Operations Squadron, prepares pulled pork sandwiches for the 73rd SOS booster club during Commando Family Day here Sept. 19. Booster clubs from around the base set up food booths for squadron events such as Christmas parties and retirement ceremonies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heather R. Redman/RELEASED)

Commando Family Day

CANNON AFB, N.M.--Angela Watson, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron, takes tickets for the prize drawing during Commando Family Day here Sept. 19. Over $3,000 worth of prizes were given away including cash awards, restaurant gift cards, iPods, games, an XBOX 360, as well as a weekend trip to Taos, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heather R. Redman/RELEASED)

Commando Family Day fun for all

Published Sept. 23, 2009
By Senior Airman Elliott Sprehe
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- 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 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. Mrs. Eide was referring to their 2-year old son, Brett.

Mrs. 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 Colonel 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.