I urge you to overturn the Department of Defense's BRAC recommendation to close Cannon Air Force Base. Cannon Air Force Base should not be on the BRAC closure list for many reasons. I've listed some of the key reasons below: Cannon does not fit the criteria provided for base closure. Cannon has an abundance of air space and no encroachment issues. This provides for safer and more realistic training scenarios for pilots.

Community Correspondence - In realization of the enormous task the BRAC Commission has been given; please accept this input. No one wants to have "their" local military base to close; your decisions will not be popular regardless of what closure decision you make. Therefore the decision needs to be based on something other than politics. Please consider these important facts regarding Cannon Air Force Base: 1. Clovis and Portales, NM are VERY small communities; the total population for both counties (per 2002 census) is only 63,062. The resulting economic impact from closure would be devastating simply due to the large economic impact Cannon has on these two small communities. We do not have lots of other industry and due to our location it is doubtful that other compensating industries can be developed. 2. The local weather conditions and the proximity to what is known locally as the Melrose bombing range (located between Ft. Sumner and Clovis south of Melrose) allows for y

I am very concerned about the BRAC Commission's decision to close Cannon Air Force Base. * I do not believe the Commission is fully aware of the unique attributes that Cannon offers to our national defense. These include an abundance of air space and no encroachment issues, a bombing range that is only seconds away, the airspace to fly at supersonic speeds, and ideal year-round flying weather, among many others. In addition to the military value to the nation, Cannon has been supported over the last 50 hears by the local communities like no other in the country. We consider Cannon a part of our family. The closure of Cannon will also have a devastating impact on our economy. It has been estimated that the area will lose at least 20 percent of its workforce, plus the ripple effect that we will have on our public and higher education systems. Please reconsider all the facts before making your final decision.

I am very concerned about the Department of Defense's recommendation that Cannon Air Force Base should be closed. Cannon Air Force Base should not be on the BRAC closure list for many reasons. Listed below are just a few reasons on why Cannon Air Force should not be on the list: Cannon does not fit the criteria provided for base closure. The weather in Eastern New Mexico provides year round training ability. Cannon has the space and facilities to accommodate joint war-fighting, training, and readiness as was evidenced by the recent joint training effort between Cannon and the US Navy.

Community Correspondence - 18 individual letters to the commission stating approval of the commission's decision to leave Cannon AFB on the BRAC list for closing. They state their disapproval of the adequacy of the facilities on base and the lack of effort taken in caring for the citizens.

Community Correspondence - 504 letters to the commission about the proposed closure of Cannon AFB and the disapproval of the action.

Community Correspondence - Letters from Kathy Teston to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Rebecca Roach to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base community to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base community to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from David L. Floyd to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Melissa Whitacre to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Anna Lee Henry to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Dennis Chalker to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Mrs. W. F. Miller, Jr to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Rita Nunez to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Kristen Turri Shirmohammad to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Nancy Slatzburg to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Sun/West Inc. to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from George A. Speck to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Daniel & Joy Stoddard to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Connie P. Landry to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from Danny Garcia to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation

Community Correspondence - Letters from David Hughes to the Commission concerning recommendation to close the installation