Cannon AFB Combat Training Facility and Cargo Pad

Dangerous cargo operations at Cannon Air Force Base had outgrown their existing location. The facility’s explosive safety quantity distance (ESQD) arc encroached on portions of the airfield as well as nearby training, maintenance and recreation facilities, creating operational constraints across the installation. Resolving those conflicts required a new dangerous cargo loading area and relocation of several affected facilities. 

As principal design subconsultant and engineer of record, Stanley Consultants began the project with a planning charrette involving more than 40 stakeholders. The effort informed development of the area development plan, concept drawings, DD Form 1391 updates and risk analyses that established project requirements and guided the design of a new dangerous cargo pad, connecting taxiway and replacement combat arms training and maintenance (CATM) facility.

The new pad and taxiway were designed to accommodate aircraft as large as the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy or two AC/MC-130s while meeting unified facilities criteria requirements for airfield operations. Airfield, pavement, civil, electrical, communications and lighting improvements were incorporated into the overall design. Relocation of the CATM facility also created an opportunity to modernize weapons qualification training through a new 28-lane indoor range configured to support updated Air Force rifle and carbine qualification requirements. The new facility has a 25-meter firing line, bullet trap, firing line shelters and steel baffles, along with classrooms, offices, weapons maintenance areas, secure armory space and supporting site infrastructure.

Environmental considerations remained a key part of project development. Stanley Consultants assessed hazardous materials and developed abatement strategies for demolished facilities while coordinating with base environmental personnel to address wetlands, listed species and bird aircraft strike hazard concerns.

The completed project removed operational conflicts created by dangerous cargo activities, improved compliance with explosive safety requirements and delivered modern facilities that support airfield operations, weapons qualification training and long-term mission readiness.