Air Force, McConnell announces civilian workforce reductions

  • Published
  • By 22nd Public Affairs Office
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Thirty-one of McConnell's civilian positions will be eliminated after April 30, 2012, as part of the Air Force's plan to restructure its civilian work force.

The civilian workforce restructure is a part of the Department of Defense's plan to stop civilian growth above fiscal year 2010 levels, and the Air Force's initiative to align resources based on its priorities. According to the announcement released late Nov. 2, the Air Force focused reductions in overhead and support areas while minimizing the impact to functions tied to operations and maintenance, acquisition excellence and the nuclear enterprise.

While the Air Force released the service-related impacts Nov. 2, base leaders held their figures until Nov. 3 to ensure individuals assigned to positions impacted were informed first.

McConnell's reductions translate into the elimination of 15 civilian positions in the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 11 in the 22nd Force Support Squadron, two in the 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, two in the 22nd Air Refueling Wing Staff and one in the 22nd Comptroller Squadron.

When identifying which positions to reduce, base officials minimized the impact on the work force as much as possible, according to Krista Jackson, Civilian Personnel Officer. She said, as an example, 10 of the 31 positions identified are vacant.

McConnell leaders held personal meetings early Nov. 3 to inform civilians currently occupying the remaining 21 positions about the reductions and the options available to them, according to Jackson. She added that the position reductions don't necessarily mean the employees will lose their employment as an Air Force civilian. However, the options available will vary based on the civilian's credentials and available job positions.

While the work force is being restructured, the Air Force understands the implications this will have on the mission.

"We can't be successful without our talented and experienced civilian workforce," said Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force. "We are making difficult choices about how to deliberately restructure and posture the force and will continue to look for new ways of accomplishing the mission," said Donley. "We can't afford business as usual."