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Egyptian officers visit Cannon AFB
July 5, 2004 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
Four Egyptian F-16 pilots and two maintenance officers visited Cannon AFB last week to observe how the U.S. Air Force runs its business.
Cannon AFB is basically the same type of operation they have in Egypt but despite the similarities, the officers did notice some differences.
For example, the first thing they noticed on the flightline was that the wing's aircraft were parked in the open.
Maj. Sharif Hassan, maintenance officer explained: "We don't have any aircraft out in the open, all of our planes in bomb-proof shelters."
They also noted differences in other maintenance procedures.
"We have the same systems and follow the same technical orders," said Maj. Hatem Shoeir, maintenance officer. "Here everyone follows the technical orders step by step, every manual and every tool has its place. I like that."
All of them said they were impressed with the size and quality of the buildings and working environments for Cannon?s military members.
"Our work is much slower because of our facilities," said Maj. Osama Hassan, F16 pilot. "We need more facilities like yours so we can work better and faster."
During their stay at Cannon, the six Egyptian officers toured the base's air traffic control facilities, new fire station and maintenance facilities. They also shadowed squadron commanders and toured Melrose Range, and some of the pilots received familiarization flights.
Cannon Air Force Base lies in the high plains of eastern New Mexico, near the Texas Panhandle. The base is six miles west of Clovis, New Mexico and is 4,295 feet above sea level.
Cannon is the home of the 27th Fighter Wing. The primary mission of the 27th Fighter Wing is to maintain an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter wing capable of day and night combat operations.
Melrose Range in New Mexico is the primary training range for the 27th Fighter Wing.
For example, the first thing they noticed on the flightline was that the wing's aircraft were parked in the open.
Maj. Sharif Hassan, maintenance officer explained: "We don't have any aircraft out in the open, all of our planes in bomb-proof shelters."
They also noted differences in other maintenance procedures.
"We have the same systems and follow the same technical orders," said Maj. Hatem Shoeir, maintenance officer. "Here everyone follows the technical orders step by step, every manual and every tool has its place. I like that."
All of them said they were impressed with the size and quality of the buildings and working environments for Cannon?s military members.
"Our work is much slower because of our facilities," said Maj. Osama Hassan, F16 pilot. "We need more facilities like yours so we can work better and faster."
During their stay at Cannon, the six Egyptian officers toured the base's air traffic control facilities, new fire station and maintenance facilities. They also shadowed squadron commanders and toured Melrose Range, and some of the pilots received familiarization flights.
Cannon Air Force Base lies in the high plains of eastern New Mexico, near the Texas Panhandle. The base is six miles west of Clovis, New Mexico and is 4,295 feet above sea level.
Cannon is the home of the 27th Fighter Wing. The primary mission of the 27th Fighter Wing is to maintain an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter wing capable of day and night combat operations.
Melrose Range in New Mexico is the primary training range for the 27th Fighter Wing.
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