A team from Air Force Special Operations Command has looked over Cannon AFB, N.M., as a potential site to expand its operations from its primary base at Hurlburt Field, Fla. According to a Cannon spokesperson, AFSOC reps have made two visits to the New Mexico base within the past few months. Under BRAC 2005, Cannon will have to close in 2009 if the Air Force does not identify and approve a new mission for the base. There has been no public word on the AFSOC potential from New Mexico senators, who jumped the gun late last year, saying USAF had identified a mission.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
