Cannon gets its first PC-12 - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Cannon gets its first PC-12

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — A new aircraft has arrived at Cannon Air Force Base.

The first of three PC-12s scheduled for the base this year arrived Tuesday. The aircraft will be flown by the 318th Special Operations Wing, which will be activated at Cannon in March. Eventually, Cannon will be home to 10 of the aircraft.

The plane was chosen for its ability to operate from short and unimproved runways and its versatility, the Air Force said. Cannon said the craft will provide battlefield mobility for special operations forces.

“We’re excited to take the first delivery of this aircraft,” said base commander Col. Tim Leahy. “And we’re excited to bring a new mission to Cannon Air Force Base.”

The Pentagon recommended in 2005 that the base be closed, but instead it got a new special operations wing.

Cannon over the next few years is expected to get new aircraft, including the MC-130W Combat Spear, the remotely controlled MQ-1 Predator, CV-22 tiltrotor Ospreys and AC-130 gunships. Special Operations Command officials said about a dozen MC130Ws will be assigned to Cannon by 2009.

The Air Force has said that eventually, Cannon’s final active-duty population will be 4,400 to 5,600 people.

The base celebrated the activation of the 27th Special Operations Wing in October.