Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Aircraft from the 27th Special Operations Wing fly over Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales.
The skies above Clovis and Portales thundered with appreciation on Monday evening.
"Over the last few months healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential employees have selflessly defended the nation against COVID-19," said Cannon Air Force Base Chief Master Sgt. Hope Skibitsky, command chief of the 27th Special Operations Wing.
And so Cannon sent three of its MC-130J Commandos and a CV-22 Osprey to deliver "a flying tribute to these resilient Americans," Skibitsky said.
The tribute included passes over hospitals in Clovis and Portales.
Dubbed Operation American Resolve, the Air Force has planned similar flyovers in cities across America in "saluting the American heroes at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19," according to a news release from Cannon.
"Defending the homeland has taken a new shape, and Cannon's Air Commandos are proud to serve alongside these front-line warriors during this global pandemic that affects each and every one of us."
The Clovis-Portales area has seen 42 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. Cannon officials said their fly over was intended to show support for the front-line workers who've helped care for those patients.
"This evening, from the safety of their homes, the people of Portales and Clovis were able to watch as Cannon demonstrated our thanks, in solidarity with our community and the American people," said Col. Robert Masaitis, commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing.
