U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., held a recent meeting with key U.S. Air Force officials to engage in discussions regarding investments and future missions at Cannon Air Force Base (CAFB). Officials include Air Force Assistant Secretary Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, Air Force Special Operations Command Commander Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind and leadership from CAFB, according to an Aug. 23 release from Luján's office.
"Cannon Air Force Base is a stronghold for our national security and to the community of Clovis and Curry County," Luján said in the release.
Heinrich and Luján joined U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M., and Clovis Mayor Mike Morris to engage directly with Air Force leadership to advocate for its continued investment in CAFB and defend against efforts to relocate assets and service members from CAFB, the release reported.
“The New Mexico Congressional Delegation and I maintain support for our Armed Forces and the four military bases that call New Mexico home," Luján said in the release. "I remain committed to working with the Air Force, the administration, and local partners to secure more resources for Cannon.”
“Today we secured a commitment that Cannon Air Force Base will remain a stronghold for the Air Force well into the future," Heinrich said in the release. "The importance of Cannon to Clovis, Curry County and New Mexico cannot be overstated. Cannon is also indispensable to our national security. With the New Mexico Congressional Delegation and our strong local partners in Clovis, I will continue to advocate at the highest levels to strengthen our investments and long-term commitment to Cannon’s future success.”
“This meeting came about as a result of the senators’ leadership. You had willing and committed partners come together with the general, the assistant secretary of the Air Force and our two United States senators to have a real conversation about the importance of Cannon Air Force Base to Clovis and Eastern New Mexico," Morris said in the release. "What we came away with is a long-term commitment; literally, that was the phrase used by the assistant secretary of the Air Force. We know we can’t rest on that. We have to continue to work and make sure that the men and women of AFSAC are going to be at home in Clovis. But it means so much to know that we have a committed partnership at all levels.”