U.S. Air Force officials announced plans this week to slash more than 13,500 civilian jobs next year, but Columbus Air Force Base is expected to emerge largely unscathed by the brunt of the cost-saving measures.
Seventeen positions are expected to be eliminated here, CAFB officials said Friday morning, adding that base leaders are “optimistic” that 11 employees will be offered reassignment on the base by the April 1, 2012 deadline. Four positions are currently vacant and will not be filled. In addition, two employees took early retirement, and their positions will not be refilled.
Approximately 2,998 people are employed by the base.
Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi will lose 68 jobs, according to the Sun Herald. Around 3,600 civilians work at Keesler.
“Our Air Force leaders are focused on shaping our active duty and civilian force within the constraints of our limited resources,” said Col. Barre Seguin, CAFB 14th Flying Training Wing commander, in a released statement Friday morning. “We at Team BLAZE are committed to continuing our legacy of excellence, focusing on families and our mission, while shaping our force of the future.”
Base officials met with affected personnel Thursday, and will meet again today, to discuss options. In addition, the Airman and Family Readiness Center on base is offering resume assistance and employment workshops to help personnel make the transition smoothly.
The first phase of the nationwide restructuring will eliminate 9,000 civilian jobs — predominantly in management, staff and support personnel. An additional 4,500 positions will be cut by October 2012.
The restructuring is part of a Department of Defense mandate to keep civilian manpower costs within the 2010 fiscal year levels while allowing for the creation of 5,900 new jobs in acquisitions, nuclear enterprise, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and other areas.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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