Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM, sometime prior to 1992. F-111D Aardvark fighter-bombers of the 522nd FS (Fireballs), along with various support equipment, sit parked and awaiting their next mission.
A troubled version of a troubled airframe, the F-111D was ordered in 1967 with the intent of correcting issues that cropped up on earlier variants of the Aardvark. The type was fitted with improved avionics, an early glass cockpit, and more powerful engines and redesigned intakes to eliminate engine stalls that plagued other models. Ninety-six were produced, all of which were stationed at Cannon under the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing. In actuality the updated electronics were the D model’s Achilles heel, and the 522nd’s mounts spent a great deal of time parked at General Dynamic’s plant in Forth Worth as technicians worked to correct the bugs. The type was retired in 1992, and the 522nd transitioned to the F-111F. The squadron was deployed to Incirlick AFB in Turkey in 1993 for 90 days in support of Operation Provide Comfort.
The 522nd Fighter Squadron traces its history back to 1940, when it was stood up as the 16th Bombardment Squadron (Light), equipped with B-18 Bolos and A-24 Banshees (Douglas SBD dive bombers built for the AAF). After the outbreak of WWII the unit was redesignated as the 522nd Fighter Bomber Squadron, then to the 522nd Fighter Squadron. The 522nd saw action over the Pacific, Mediterranean and European theaters, flying aircraft including the A-24, A-20, A-36, P-40 and P-47. Deactivated in ‘45, the unit was reconstituted the next year in Germany, flying P-47s, and was moved to the US and transitioned to P-51s the next year, and to F-82s the year after. The unit flew F-84s over Korea, F-101s afterwards, and F-100s in the early stages of the Vietnam War. The 522nd was equipped with F-111A and E models towards the end of the war, before converting to the F-111D. After the D models were retired in ‘92 and the F were retired in ‘96, the Fireballs were equipped with F-16C/D Block 30s, then later Block 50s. The unit was disestablished in 2007 as part of the 2005 BRAC recommendations, then reactivated as the 522nd Special Operations Squadron in 2011 with MH-130J Commando IIs. The 522nd was disestablished again in 2014, and its aircraft, personnel and equipment transferred to the 9th SO, which had been moved from Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Cannon AFB began as Portair Field in the late 1920s as a terminal for Ford Trimotors on transcontinental flights, as well as Pullman trains. Portair was renamed Clovis Municipal Airport in the late ‘30s, then in 1943 to Clovis Army Air Field. The field was home to the 16th Bombardment Wing’s B-24 Liberators. Placed under the control of the Colorado Springs AAB after the war, the field was placed on inactive status shortly afterwards. Reactivated after the establishment of the USAF in ‘47, Clovis was made a deployment facility of the 509th Airdrome group, stationed at Roswell AAF. Renamed Clovis Air Force Base in 1948, and placed on standby status shortly after, the base was transferred from SAC to Air Training Command in 1950, then again to TAC with the outbreak of the Korean War in 1951. The base was threatened with closure as part of the 2005 BRAC, but instead the 27th TFW was transitioned to Special Operations, and is now flying a mix of CV-22s, AC-130s and MC-130s, and MQ-9 Reapers.