Cannon's wing commander leaving for new assignment

After serving a year at Cannon Air Force Base as wing commander, Col. Jeremy Bergin will be leaving in the summer for an assignment at Air Force Special Operations Command. 

Clovis Mayor Mike Morris said Bergin has gone above and beyond in serving his airmen. 

Morris said he was surprised and slightly disappointed to hear the news. He said he and Bergin had developed a friendship in making the two communities better for one another. 

“I’m happy for him and I certainly wish him well. He’s been a champion for the Clovis and Cannon partnership and has done an excellent job in his short time here,” Morris said.

Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ernie Kos said she felt the two communities were able to accomplish a lot under Bergin’s leadership. 

Kos said Bergin always had a focus on safe and affordable housing, medical access, education and water for Cannon’s airmen.

“He has definitely continued the legacy that we have with the communities supporting Cannon,” Kos said. 

Bergin made the announcement in an email to community leaders on Tuesday.

“This change of command is a result of several recent senior leader moves throughout the Air Force, leaving the AFSOC staff in need of a senior Colonel,” Bergin wrote in the email.

“Sometime this summer, likely early July, I will relinquish command to Col. Robby Johnston, another incredible Cannon alumni.”

Stephen Hardin, executive director of the Portales/Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce, said he’s only had a handful of experiences with Bergin, but “each one was professional and I appreciated the way he handled business.”

“As a person, he seemed like a great guy. He was always kind, quick to listen and seemed to really care. He recently invited my family out for family day at Cannon. My son was able to ride a bus and see some planes, which for a 4-year-old was the thrill of the day. I appreciated Col. Bergin making that happen,” Hardin said. 

Portales Mayor Mike Miller said Bergin was “very well liked and was a part of the community.”

Bergin wrote in his email that he recognized “that the churn of leadership at Cannon can be daunting for our (community) partners.”

“You have each invested your time into our relationships and priorities and that change in Cannon’s leadership can bring uncertainty. This summer will see both Col. Brent Greer and I depart, an unusual occurrence for sure. I want to assure you that Robby (Johnston) believes in this community and shares my commitment to strengthening an already incredible partnership.”

Bergin told city leaders that “Working alongside you has been an honor and watching this team pour your hearts into our Airmen, their families, and our future - together - has been incredible. I am exceptionally proud of what we have accomplished over the last 12 months as a community. …

“We have seen real success with our Five and Thrive efforts, particularly in unaccompanied housing, access to medical care, education, and spouse employment, all thanks to incredible leaders in this community.”