Sequestration briefing highlights Wright-Patt's communications channels

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  As soon as updated information concerning sequestration and possible Department of Defense furloughs becomes available, the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base workforce will have multiple ways to access it, said Col. Cassie B. Barlow, commander, 88th Air Base Wing, during a briefing to the media on Feb. 25.

Among those options are:
· The Wright-Patterson AFB Civilian Personnel Flight page on the Air Force Portal   
· Hotline (937) 904-3472 to ask questions
· Town Hall meetings and information fairs will take place during the next few weeks so employees may come and ask questions. Times and locations are still to be determined.

Civilian furloughs carry a different weight within Air Force Materiel Command, which employs some 61,000 government civilian workers. This is the most of any major command in the Air Force and accounts for one-third of all Air Force civilian workers. Wright-Patterson AFB employs about 13,000 civilians, which is 60 percent of the base's work force.

Base leadership was in a holding pattern for several weeks earlier this year, waiting for clearance to proceed with planning what actions to take if furloughs of DOD civilian employees were implemented. Notification to begin preparations took place Feb. 20 and Wright-Patt officials are assessing ways to furlough civilians an average of one day per week for 22 weeks.

"We've entered the next level of planning around sequestration and resulting furloughs that would begin April 25," Colonel Barlow said.

"We're seeking flexibilities around the furlough so that the 22 days might be staggered or organized in such a way that affected civilians are not all off work during the same days," Colonel Barlow continued. "That certainly will help us plan better, get more work done and get the mission done."

The colonel said she had requested workforce exceptions to the furlough.

"However, it's looking like there will be less than 100 exceptions," she said. "We don't know the final number, but the guidance around exceptions from the Department of Defense has been 'Look at people who are involved with safety of life.' We have very few on base that are involved in those sorts of services."

Based on information released Feb. 20, exceptions will include: those deployed in a combat zone; those who protect the safety of life or property to the extent needed; nonappropriated fund (NAF) employees; those exempt by law who hold a presidential appointment with Senate confirmation (PAS); foreign nationals; and those excepted by a 2-star flag officer or tier 2 SES, or higher.

"Flexibilities are going to be the key," Colonel Barlow said. "Unlike many bases across the United States, the numbers show that our base runs on civilians. To go through a furlough and take the cuts that we are looking at will result in focusing on mission-essential tasks -- keeping the flight line and emergency operations running. For everything else we will have to look at reductions in service across the board."

Colonel Barlow acknowledged that the base leadership's theme throughout the current situation has been to provide as much information and support to all employees as possible.

Financial planners on base also are available to help employees with individual needs and questions.
______________________________________

Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command Office of Public Affairs has activated a public Web page designed to keep the AFMC workforce informed about sequestration issues, including answers to frequently asked questions, articles, etc.

Much of the material on the page deals with the process of civilian furloughs that may be required during sequestration. The website can be accessed at http://www.afmc.af.mil/sequestration.asp.