Air Force: Cannon Numbers Will Drop, Then Climb

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP) – The Air Force expects the population of Cannon Air Force Base to plummet, then spike over the next six to seven years. Then it will level off as the base changes to a special operations facility.

The 16th Special Operations Wing is to take over the base in October as Cannon’s current F-16s leave. A summary of the Air Force’s recently released draft environmental impact statement says Cannon’s population will drop from 44,067 active-duty military, civilians and contractors to about 3200.

Clovis Mayor David Lansford says the transition likely will be difficult economically. Lansford says the area will be better off in the long run. (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-03-30-07 1432EDT