VALDOSTA, GA -
The U. S. Air Force is cutting 9,000 civilian jobs, Nearly 40 of them from Moody Air Force Base.
That could just be round one of cuts at the base. Vice Commander Col. Christopher Short tells us they expect more cuts in the future.
39 civilian positions are being eliminated at Moody Air Force Base. "Its very tough because the civilian populous the workforce at Moody Air Force in general is critical to our mission," said Short.
Leaders say most of cuts are vacant positions but haven't given us a number. "In May 2011 we had a freeze on positions. We had vacancies that were open, and we weren't able to hire those positions," said Short.
They haven't told us what places on base the positions are being cut until they finish notifying the folks who are losing their jobs. They say the cuts come in management, overhead, and support functions.
"Leadership is going to identify what things we can leverage off of the Valdosta Lowndes County Community that we don't have to do on base. There's not a redundant capability, both downtown for our Airmen and on base," said Short.
He does foresee more cuts including active duty personnel, contractors, and civilians.
"I don't know how many they'll be and it depends on how many people take early retirement how many people take early retirement how many people take separation incentives.
Ron Wilson is retired from the Navy and proudly serves as the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce's military council. He says Moody has a $450 million impact on the community. And many of the jobs in the community are in some fashion service jobs that related back to Moody.
The colonel says they'll try to find other options for those who's positions are cut. About 375 civilians are employed at Moody Air Force Base.
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