Officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base announced on Nov. 2 they will cut nearly 100 civilian jobs within the next year under directives issued by the U.S. Department of Defense.
As part of an overall restructuring of the U.S. Air Force, Vandenberg must eliminate 62 jobs by April 1, 2012, and 35 more by Oct. 1, 2012. Most of the positions offer support in civil engineering and communication departments, officials said.
“I am wholeheartedly committed to minimizing the impact of budgetary reductions and organizational restructuring on Vandenberg’s civilian workforce,” 30th Space Wing Commander Col. Richard Boltz said in a press release. “Our civilians are providing invaluable service to our country—service that is critical not just in accomplishing our day-to-day mission, but for missions worldwide. We’re taking every step and using all means available to take care of those affected by these cuts.”
According to base officials, about two-thirds of the positions on the chopping block are currently vacant, and will remain unfilled. Base leadership will help place employees facing layoffs in other vacant positions where possible.
The cuts follow an Air Force review of a 2010 memo from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, ordering costs for civilian employees to stay within 2010 fiscal year levels. In May, the Air Force implemented a series of hiring controls, but that didn’t generate adequate results. About 9,000 positions have been eliminated throughout the Air Force. No new positions have been added at Vandenberg.
According to Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, the Air Force’s director of manpower, organization, and resources, the branch must still cut an additional 4,500 civilian positions. Air Force officials said personnel should expect further measures affecting military, civilians, and contractors. More information is expected to surface as details are finalized.
“We clearly understand the turbulence these and future reductions will cause in the workforce,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said in a statement to media. “We are making every effort to use voluntary measures to achieve reductions whenever possible.”
This article appears in Nov 10-17, 2011.