The 551st Special Operations Squadron, based out of Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, is a squadron of the United States Air Force assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center.
As part of the 27th Special Operations Wing, the 551st supports global special operations including infiltration/exfiltration, combat support, tilt-rotor operations, helicopter aerial refueling, close air support, unmanned aerial vehicle operations, non-standard aviation and other special missions.
First constructed in 2010, the training center required additional capacity which was delivered in the form of a 24,971-square-foot Design-Build addition. The Sheffield Korte Joint Venture project consisted of a multi-story expansion, including new foundation and floor slab sections as well as structural framing.
The project features a high bay area with oversized doors, capable of housing a full-length CV-22 Cabin Operational Flight Trainer. Additionally, the area was designed to facilitate night vision goggle operational training with sufficient space to enable vehicle and personnel operations maneuvers within the vicinity of the device. The space also provides access for oversized vehicles and ground support equipment, including a K-Loader.
New construction incorporated improvements to primary functional areas including the command section, operations, auditorium, classrooms, briefing rooms, simulator training space and administration. The scope of work also included elevators, utilities and an integrated fire detection and suppression system.
