CSAF, CMSAF visit Cannon AFB

Published Aug. 9, 2024
By 2nd Lt. Merit Davey
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) --

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi visited Cannon Air Force Base Aug. 7.

During their visit to The Steadfast Line, they met with Airmen and family members to discuss the 27th Special Operation Wing’s unconventional mission, Cannon AFB’s unique quality of life challenges as a remote and isolated installation and some of the initiatives the 27th SOW has employed to mitigate them.

Two men in military uniform stand on a stage inside a hangar addressing a seated crowd of people in military uniform. — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, right, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi, left, address Air Commandos of The Steadfast Line at an all call during a visit at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 7, 2024. During the all call, Allvin and Flosi addressed the need to focus on projecting power and generating readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Erika Chapa)

Four men in military uniform pose for a photo on a stage. The two men in the center are wearing hats. — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, middle left, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi, middle right, don individualized air commando bush hats gifted by the 27th Special Operations Wing during an all call at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 7, 2024. The bush hat is an Air Force Special Operations Command heritage hat used to symbolize camaraderie among the first Air Commandos and remains a symbol of AFSOC’s legacy today. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Drew Cyburt)

A man in military uniform stands on a stage inside a building addressing a seated crowd of people in military uniform and business attire. — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin addresses Airmen assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing at an all call during a visit at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 7, 2024. During the all call, Allvin and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi discussed the need for a rapid reoptimization of forces to effectively operate in an era of great power competition. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Erika Chapa)

Allvin and Flosi talked with Airmen from the 27th Special Operations Group and the 27th SOW Mission Sustainment Team to learn how the wing is adapting its training, tactics and equipment with the speed, power and balance necessary to match the nation’s pacing threat while providing premier crisis response capabilities to the joint force.

Wing leaders provided Allvin and Flosi updates on the 27th SOW’s consistently deployed presence, Air Force Special Operations Command’s Adaptive Airborne Enterprise, MST’s utility within Agile Combat Employment and how quality of life challenges impact wing readiness. Allvin and Flosi were also briefed on the 27th SOW’s role in AFSOC’s organizational transformation, particularly the new ways it presents forces to better support collective agility, including Special Operations Task Groups and strategically focused Theater Air Operations Squadrons.

A woman in a black shirt and green skirt poses for a photograph with a group of men and women in military uniform. — Gina Allvin, spouse of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, takes a group photo with 27th Special Operations Wing first sergeants following discussions about the quality-of-life challenges at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 7, 2024. During her visit, Allvin met with first sergeants, spouses and Airmen from the 27th SOW to discuss initiatives Cannon AFB is implementing to tackle the unique challenges faced at an isolated and remote location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gracelyn Hess)

Allvin and Flosi were also accompanied on the visit by Allvin’s wife, Gina Allvin. Gina Allvin met with 27th SOW first sergeants, spouses and Airmen at the 27th Special Operations Medical Group to discuss challenges and initiatives for Cannon AFB families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program. They also discussed local housing availability issues and how state legislature has improved spouse licensure portability, education and childcare support for local military families.

Allvin concluded the visit by addressing the 27th SOW at an all call for Airmen across the wing.

At the all call, Allvin discussed how the Air Force is changing the ways it generates readiness, projects power and develops its people and capabilities for complex future security environments. He also expressed his pride seeing The Steadfast Line pathfinding concepts in support of the force’s optimization for Great Power Competition.

“We get to see the Airmen who are just getting after it, who are testing the waters, who are going with commander’s intent, who are trying to lean in,” Allvin said. “I could not be more energized leaving this place. I just ask that you just continue to all keep looking out for each other and keep moving forward together.”

Flosi discussed the prioritization of mission over functions, the impact of individual readiness and enabling total force Airmen and civilians to fly, fight and win.

“We serve to set conditions for you and your Airmen to be successful and to execute the mission our Nation asks of you,” Flosi said. “It’s a privilege to serve alongside you.”

Throughout their visit, Allvin and Flosi recognized high-performing 27th SOW air commandos for their contributions to the mission, community and national security.

The Steadfast Line generates unconventional air power for the joint force…any place, anytime, anywhere.