Determining How the Lesser Jihad Ends

The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) report recommended closing Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico unless a new mission was identified by the end of 2009. At the same time, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) was in dire need of a new base to support the call for increased growth in Special Operations Forces (SOF) by the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). In short order, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced in June 2006 that AFSOC would take ownership of Cannon AFB on 1 October 2007. The base would change missions and transfer ownership from Air Combat Command (ACC) to AFSOC. Before this change could occur, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) required the preparation of a detailed environmental impact statement (EIS). EISs are required for major federal actions that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment.