WPAFB grapples with furloughs

WPAFB, Ohio (WDTN) - 2 NEWS has obtained a document detailing the Air Force plan for handling cuts that could take place in a matter of weeks at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

WPAT already has a hiring freeze for non-critical civilian positions.

It's the area's largest employer, with more than 29,000 workers.  It has an estimated $4.5-billion impact on our economy.

The document we obtained calls for the temporary furlough of 180,000 civilian workers which could cause severe disruptions to operations and training, as well as delay the purchase and testing of a weapons system.

The Air Force has a $1.8 billion shortfall in overseas contingency operations funding.

Those automatic budget cuts set to start March 1 could add up to a reduction of $12.4 billion through Sept. 30, the end of this fiscal year, according to the document.

"I don't like the sequester. I think it's taking a meat ax to our government; a meat ax to many programs that will weaken our national defense. That's why I fought to not have the sequester in the first place but the President didn't want to have to deal with the debt limit again before his re-election," said Rep. John Boehner, Speaker of the House, (R) Ohio 8th District.

Republican leaders met today to announce proposals to try to avoid these automatic defense cuts.

"As we look over to the fact that the world is not becoming a safer place, these cuts are irresponsible.   This Bill allows us to responsibly restore the spending, to make sure our National Security is protected and that, we, in turn, look further into our budget, for ways that we can responsibly reduce overall spending," said Congressman Mike Turner, (R) Ohio 10th District.

Those temporary furloughs for those civilian workers would be 22 days.