CAFB changes aircraft operating hours

Cannon Air Force Base has adjusted the hours of its airfield operations to further accommodate Air Force Special Operation Command’s mission requirements.

Hours of operation for Cannon’s airfield are currently from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., so local residents may notice aircraft noise during later hours.

Airfield operations vary throughout the year due to mission requirements, which are impacted greatly by many factors.

During the summer months, for example, the airfield will likely be open longer throughout the night and early morning hours to allow aircrews to train without sunlight.

In addition, due to the direction of winds in the spring and summer months, Cannon aircraft will be making use of its Northeast to Southwest runway. Residents in the area of Llano Estacado Boulevard in Clovis may notice additional aircraft noise, as that area is beneath the approach pattern for that runway.

According to federal aviation regulations regarding minimum safe altitude for aircraft, pilots may fly no less than 1,000 feet above congested or highly populated areas and must remain at least 500 feet above open water or sparsely populated areas as well as man-made structures, such as boats, houses, barns, or warehouses.

Due to the inherent nature of Air Force special operations and the types of aircraft at Cannon, the base’s aircraft will be flying lower and later than the F-16s previously stationed at the base.

Questions or noise concerns can be directed to the 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs office at 784-4131 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 784-6090 at all other times.