Sequestration Could Mean Mandatory Furloughs at Tinker AFB

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, OK-- Mandatory furloughs could impact 14,000 civilians at Tinker Air Force Base if sequestration takes effect.

"It will be a significant impact to our work force," said Capt. Jon Quinlan, a spokesman for the 507th Refueling Wing at Tinker AFB, "we're hoping that some kind of resolution comes about."

Capt. Quinlan says as talks continue in Washington, the most likely furlough option at Tinker AFB will be one day per week for the last 22-weeks of the fiscal year.  This means a 20% pay cut for many Tinker AFB employees through September.

"We're encouraging folks to be prepared for this," he said.

As Tinker officials keep a close watch on Capitol Hill, so are members of the community surrounding Tinker AFB.

Chuck Hall is a retired member of the Air Force, although he no longer works at Tinker Air Force Base, he knows many people who could face furloughs.

"I'm still afraid," said Hall, "because it could affect my friends, and if it affects my friends, it affects me."

Hall is just one of many who echo the same sentiment.  Paulette Booth says her son-in-law works at Tinker AFB. 

"I think it's going to be real hard for a lot of people," said Booth.

While the furloughs are still just a possibility, if sequestration becomes a reality-- Booth believes the impact of mandatory furloughs will have a trickle down effect on local businesses.

"If you're not making as much money, you're not going to spend as much money," she said.

Quinlan mandatory furloughs could put an estimated $125M dent on Tinker AFB. 

Ralph Monson, Director of Public Affairs for Tinker AFB, says the impact of mandatory furloughs is more than financial.

"It would severely degrade the ability of the more than 45 separate organizations at Tinker AFB to conduct their respective defense missions," said Monson, in a statement to Fox-25.

As the clock ticks on the deadline in Washington, Booth hopes lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can strike a compromise that would lessen the sting on families surrounding Tinker AFB.

"Get something done," she said, "work with each other."

Tinker AFB is just one of many bases that would be affected by mandatory furloughs stemmed from sequestration.  The Department of Defense expects 800,000 DOD employees will face furloughs nationwide.
Sequestration Could Mean Mandatory Furloughs at Tinker AFB

Posted: Thursday, February 28 2013, 09:25 PM CST