DECEMBER 15, 2022 – Cannon Air Force Base and the local community are combining their efforts by creating subcommittees dedicated to the Air Force initiative Five & Thrive.
The Five & Thrive initiative focuses on safe and affordable housing, medical care, spouse employment, education and childcare.
David Robinson, Cannon AFB’s Air and Space Force civic leader, leads the subcommittees dedicated to addressing quality of life issues. Each subcommittee is made up of approximately eight members who are led by a subject matter expert as the subcommittee chairman.
Robinson has been involved with Cannon AFB for several years. As a member of the 2017-2019 Air Force Honorary Commander’s program, he participated in the 66th Annual National Security Forum and was a member of the Air Force Special Operations Command Civic Leader Tour. He is a past chair of the Clovis/Curry County Chamber’s Committee of Fifty. Through these roles, he has worked closely with the past and present leadership of Cannon AFB, learning about military operations and has an understanding of the quality of life issues Airmen face.
Robinson is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Cannon AFB members and is working shoulder to shoulder with key community members and Cannon AFB leadership to ensure there is a focus on the Five & Thrive initiatives.
“Our job as a committee is to support Cannon Air Force Base, its Airmen and their families. By providing support in the areas of education, spousal license portability, childcare, medical availability, and affordable housing the community can ensure that Airmen and their families are not asked to sacrifice their quality of life,” Robinson said.
Rick Masters, 27th Special Operations Wing director of staff, who is working in sync with the subcommittees, has been a part of the Cannon AFB team for 15 years and can attest to the challenges and efforts that have been made.
“Right now, we have more of a concerted effort than in the past 15 years since AFSOC has been here. We now have the right people at the table identifying the right problems to act against and progress toward long-term solutions,” Masters said. “These issues will not get fixed by an Air Force only solution or a community only solution it must be a joint effort.”
The 27th Special Operations Wing leadership prioritizes the need for expanded healthcare services, improved educational options and greater housing opportunities for Airmen and their families.
“Taking care of our air commandos and their families is our top priority. We are working closely with our community partners to ensure we address these Five & Thrive initiatives that impact our daily lives here at Cannon Air Force Base,” said Col. Terence G. Taylor, 27th SOW commander. “The subcommittees comprised of our community members are joining our efforts to tackle these long-term issues, and we would not be where we are today without them. While there is still more work to do, with the right people in place, we are headed in the right direction.”
By Tech. Sgt. Kaylee Clark
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs