Cannon Air Force Base Afb Afsoc Assets Beddown

In September 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommended closing Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, unless a new mission for the base could be identified by December 31, 2009. In June 2006, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced that Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) would establish a new mission at Cannon Air Force Base and the command would take ownership of the base on October 1, 2007. As a result, Cannon Air Force Base will remain open. While DOD has satisfied the intent of the recommendation by finding a new mission for the base, this BRAC recommendation was unusual because it contained a contingency clause. Therefore, we reviewed DOD's implementation of this recommendation under the authority of the Comptroller General to conduct evaluations on his own initiative. This report (1) describes the factors underpinning the decision to house AFSOC at Cannon Air Force Base and (2) provides information on the cost estimate and timeline for the movement of personnel to establish the AFSOC mission.

In September 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommended closing Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, unless a new mission for the base could be identified by December 31, 2009. In June 2006, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced that Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) would establish a new mission at Cannon Air Force Base and the command would take ownership of the base on October 1, 2007. As a result, Cannon Air Force Base will remain open. While DOD has satisfied the intent of the recommendation by finding a new mission for the base, this BRAC recommendation was unusual because it contained a contingency clause. Therefore, we reviewed DOD's implementation of this recommendation under the authority of the Comptroller General to conduct evaluations on his own initiative. This report (1) describes the factors underpinning the decision to house AFSOC at Cannon Air Force Base and (2) provides information on the cost estimate and timeline for the movement of personnel to establish the AFSOC mission.

The Cannon AFB records search included a detailed review of pertinent installation records, 23 agency contacts for documents relevant to the records search effort, and an onsite base visit conducted by CH2M HILL during the week of May 9 through May 13, 1983. Activities conducted during the on-site base visit included interviews with 37 base employees, a ground tour of the installation, a detailed search of installation records, and a helicopter overflight to identify past disposal areas. Attempts were also made to contact and interview former base employees for information relevant to the records search effort. The installations addressed in the records search include Cannon AFB, Melrose Bombing Range, and Conchas Lake Recreation Annex. No direct evidence was found to indicate that migration of hazardous contaminants exists within or beyond Cannon AFB boundaries. Indirect evidence of contamination was found at three sites.