The Air Force signed the movement directive May 12 that formally authorizes the relocation of the 16th Special Operations Squadron and its eight AC-130H gunships from Hurlburt Field, Fla., to Cannon AFB, N.M, Air Force Special Operations Command announced May 15. The 16th SOS, formerly a part of Hurlburt’s 1st Special Operations Wing, will transfer to the 27th SOW at Cannon, AFSOC’s western hub since October 2007. The command anticipates the move of the gunships and associated aircrews and support personnel to be complete by November 2009, with an initial cadre moving this summer and the majority of the squadron in April 2009, AFSOC said. The transfer will involve approximately 600 positions. Members of the New Mexico Congressional delegation welcomed the news—which they got wind of prior to the public announcement—in a joint statement May 14.
On Oct. 22, the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a Nuclear Deterrence Forum featuring Henry Sokolski, executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. The think tank will post event video on its website and YouTube page after the live event. Register here.