WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman, Tom Udall and Congressman Ben Ray Luján are asking Cannon Air Force Base commander, Colonel Stephen Clark, to extend the Low Altitude Tactical Navigation (LATN) environmental assessment public comment period, and to continue the Air Force's amplified community outreach in northern New Mexico.
In a letter to Colonel Clark, the members voiced their support for the mission of Cannon's 27th Special Operations Wing (SOW), and asked that any low altitude training under consideration be respectful to the communities and areas that may be impacted.
"While the (27th SOW) mission is important for our national security, we believe that any proposed LATN must be in balance with the needs of the New Mexico community," the lawmakers wrote.
"It is with this beauty and diversity in mind that we ask for a reasonable extension of the environmental assessment comment period," they continued. "Not only is it important to support the mission of Cannon Air Force Base, but it is also important that all the individuals who wish to voice their opinion have a reasonable opportunity to do so."
Bingaman, Udall and Luján also expressed support for more community outreach and communication in the northern New Mexico areas that may be impacted.
"We are supportive of the increased outreach and believe that the increased communication should continue," they wrote. "It is important that the people of northern New Mexico fully understand the mission of the 27th SOW and the impact on their community. Increased outreach will allow northern New Mexico to better participate as partners in this national undertaking."
Full text of the letter to Colonel Clark is below.
Colonel Stephen Clark
27 SOW/CC
100 S DL Ingram Blvd, Ste 100
Cannon Air Force Base, NM 88103-5214Dear Colonel Clark,
The proposed Low Altitude Tactical Navigation (LATN) area for northern New Mexico and southern New Mexico is part of your plan to make the 27th Special Operations Wing a more robust and efficient fighting force. We support this mission at Cannon Air Force Base and believe it is essential to the security of our nation. The outstanding training opportunity that New Mexico provides can help the 27th SOW better prepare for real life situations and save lives as a result.While the mission is important for our national security, we believe that any proposed LATN must be in balance with the needs of the New Mexico community. Northern New Mexico's communities are rich with history, culture, and beauty. The character of northern New Mexico not only makes it a wonderful place to live, but a fantastic place to visit for hiking, fishing, and skiing. It is with this beauty and diversity in mind that we ask for a reasonable extension of the environmental assessment comment period. Not only is it important to support the mission of Cannon Air Force Base, but it is also important that all the individuals who wish to voice their opinion have a reasonable opportunity to do so.
We also understand that CAFB is planning on increasing its outreach efforts to northern New Mexico. We are supportive of the increased outreach and believe that the increased communication should continue. It is important that the people of northern New Mexico fully understand the mission of the 27th SOW and the impact on their community. Increased outreach will allow northern New Mexico to better participate as partners in this national undertaking.
Please let us know if we can be of any assistance in this matter. Thank you for considering our request and we look forward to working with you on this and the other important issues that face you and the airmen at CAFB and in the Air Force.
Sincerely,
Jeff Bingaman
Tom Udall
Ben Ray Luján
