Cannon Air Force Base, home of the 27th Special Operations Wing, lies in the high plains of eastern New Mexico, near the Texas Panhandle. The base is eight miles west of Clovis on 3,789 acres of land at 4,295 feet above sea level. Specialized aircraft assigned to Cannon AFB include the AC-130J Ghostrider, MC-130J Commando II, CV-22 Osprey, U-28A Draco and the MQ-9 Reaper. The Melrose Air Force Range training area, west of the base, is approximately 70,000 acres. Operations on Melrose Range also cover an area of 2,500 square miles of airspace. Melrose is used for training such as aircraft air-to-ground engagement, small arms weapons shooting, electronic warfare, and specific tactics exercises. Currently, approximately 7,800 military and civilian personnel make up the workforce at Cannon and Melrose.

Originally named Portair Field, Cannon was founded as a civilian passenger facility in the 1920s. During World War II, the airfield was transformed into an active bomber base for the 2nd Air Force. With the establishment of the United States Air Force in September of 1947, Clovis Army Air Field was renamed Clovis Air Force Base - and would become the home of the 140th Fighter-Bomber Wing during the Korean War. Clovis Air Force Base was redesignated as Cannon Air Force Base in 1957 and became home of the 27th Fighter Wing in 1991, whom deployed in support of Desert Storm. Cannon AFB became the home of the 27th Special Operations Wing in 2006 and was quickly recognized as Air Force Special Operations Command's premier readiness wing.

While Cannon Air Force Base has more than 100 years of notable historical achievements supporting decorated units across several commands, the 27th designator has a distinguished history of its own. The 27th was forged in combat when the 27th Bombardment Group became the only aviation unit in the history of the Army Air Corps to become an infantry ground unit. We pride ourselves in holding the line - and honoring the legacy of the 27th. These members were the first generation of multi-capable Airmen who were naturally pathfinders -- and fought until they were ordered to surrender. The 27th SOW will continue to hold the line today, tonight, and tomorrow.