After a plane crash in Clovis, NM resulted in the deaths of three airmen, a campaign to support the community has been met with an outpouring of encouragement.
The campaign, called #CannonStrong, was launched by a Gold Star widow who has “gone through the very same grieving process the families of our three Air Commandos are experiencing now,” base officials said.
The woman who helped spark the idea has traveled to numerous businesses around the Clovis area and taken photos of people posing with a sign that reads #CannonStrong, “as a way to show support and encouragement of our Air Commandos and their families, and to stand with us during this difficult time,” a spokesperson for the base said.
“We’re truly humbled by the tremendous show of support we’ve received from people far and wide, in particular from folks in and around Clovis and Portales,” Media Operations Chief Eric Pilgrim, of the 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs office said in a statement.
“From the first responders who worked swiftly and tirelessly at the scene and all of our friends and partners within the extended High Plains community to those who are taking time out of their busy schedules even now to participate in this heartfelt #cannonstrong outreach, we say thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” Pilgrim added.
Cannon Air Force Base officials released photos of the three airman who died when the plane they were training in crashed in Clovis, NM Tuesday night.
The identities of the crew members were released on Thursday.
Captain Andrew Becker, 33, was a pilot for the 318th Special Operations Squadron. He was from Novi, Mich., and is survived by his spouse, mother, and father.
Captain Kenneth Dalga, 29, was a combat systems officer for the 318th Special Operations Squadron. He was from Goldsboro, N.C., and is survived by his spouse, son, and mother.
First Lieutenant Frederick Dellecker, 26, was a co-pilot for the 318th Special Operations Squadron. He was from Daytona Beach, Fla., and is survived by his mother and father.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation.
