According to the Clovis News Journal, only one entity has put in a bid to house operations at Cannon AFB, N.M., and that is Air Force Special Operations Command. The Air Force mounted a PR blitz to show off the base, which must find a new mission by 2010 or face closure, to DOD and other government agencies. Neighboring Arizonans even sought to shift some of their unwanted military aircraft operations to Cannon.
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.