On July 28th, 2023, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández and Clovis Mayor Mike Morris, issued a statement in response to the U.S. Air Force's decision to relocate seven MC-130J aircraft.
The squadron will relocate from Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico, to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona according to a press release.
"We are extremely disappointed in this decision by the Air Force’s leadership. And we are dedicated to preserving Cannon as a stronghold of Air Force Special Operations, ensuring its continued contributions to national security," said the release.
Based on a study conducted by the University of New Mexico's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Cannon Air Force Base and Melrose Air Force Range made significant contributions in FY 2020.
The analysis estimates that these military installations resulted in approximately 6,413 jobs, generated over $400 million in wages and salaries, and contributed to a total industrial output of $2 billion, considering both direct, indirect and induced effects according to a press release.
"The importance of Cannon Air Force Base to Clovis, Curry County, and the State of New Mexico as a whole cannot be overstated."
During recent months, Senators Heinrich and Luján, Representative Leger Fernández, and Mayor Morris have been actively involved in direct engagement with Air Force leadership. Their efforts have focused on advocating for continued investment in Cannon Air Force Base and countering attempts to relocate assets and service members from the base according to a press release.
"We will continue our work to secure both a commitment and a concrete plan from the Air Force to increase its investment in Cannon. And we will keep doing all that we can to deliver for the service members, civilians, and families of Cannon AFB and the surrounding community.”