Government Shutdown ‘Tough’ For Military Bases, Communities

OHIO: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base ‘Employs More People At One Work Site Than Any Other In Ohio,’

In 2013 ‘An Estimated 8,700 Civil Service Workers Were Sent Home’

“Thousands of federal workers in the Miami Valley have high stakes in congressional lawmakers’ attempts to reach a budget deal … Wright-Patterson [Air Force Base], which employs more people at one work site than any other in Ohio, has 13,000 civil service workers, or nearly half the workforce at the base…. ‘While military personnel would not be impacted by the shutdown, a lapse in appropriations would further impede our ongoing efforts to restore readiness and modernize to meet rapidly evolving global threats,’ [Wright-Patterson spokesman Daryl] Mayer said in an email.” (“Congress Votes To Keep Government Open; Wright-Patterson Was Preparing For Shutdown,” Dayton Daily News, 4/28/2017)

• “Many of those civilian government workers faced a government shutdown [in 2013] … An estimated 8,700 civil service workers were sent home. They were in every corner of the base, from the Air Force Materiel Command, which oversees purchases of major weapon systems, to the Air Force Reserve 445th Airlift Wing, which flies C-17 Globemaster III troop transport and cargo missions around the world. At the time, base officials estimated with so many off the job lost wages added up to $2.1 million a day, with a multiplier effect of a $5 million economic impact in the region each day of the shutdown.” (“Congress Votes To Keep Government Open; Wright-Patterson Was Preparing For Shutdown,” Dayton Daily News, 4/28/2017)

“People who work on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base say they are worried about a possible government shutdown, which could have a major impact on operations at the base…. ‘If the base shuts down, that affects everybody in this area,’ said Dennis Schumacher, who works at the commissary on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Schumacher and his wife Pamela, who is also employed at the commissary, were out of work the last time the government shut down in 2013. ‘You’re sitting there in two weeks, don’t know if you’re going to go back to work the next day or if you’re going to be off for a year or two,’ he said. ‘And you can’t go look for another job because you already have a job.’” (“WPAFB Workers Concerned About Possible Government Shutdown,” WDTN-TV Dayton, 12/08/2017)

• “The possible shutdown also has Penelope Smith, a server at Fairborn Family Diner and Restaurant, feeling anxious. Her other job is at a store on the base. ‘How and why is there even a need for us to be open if there is a shutdown?’ Smith said. She said she is also concerned about the diner, where most of the customers work on Wright-Patt. ‘If they are shut down and they don’t have the income, then they’re not going to be spending their money,’ Smith said.” (“WPAFB Workers Concerned About Possible Government Shutdown,” WDTN-TV Dayton, 12/08/2017)

FLORIDA: At Cape Canaveral ‘I Can’t Launch Rockets With A Quarter Of My Work Force’

“Air Force: Budget uncertainty threatens Cape Canaveral rocket launches … Before a rocket blasts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a system drenches the launch pad with water to cool it down from the gas and flames bellowing out of engines firing with a million pounds of thrust or more. If that water supply failed, the rockets couldn’t launch…. It’s the kind of work the [45th Space] Wing's commander considers vital to supporting the Cape’s growing launch rate — projected to reach nearly 50 annually within five years — but it could be derailed, he fears, if Congress and the White House fail to compromise on a budget deal. ‘Without that, the Wing will suffer the impact from that as we try to defend the nation,’ Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith told FLORIDA TODAY. ‘And for us, defending the nation is getting capability on orbit. Our military cannot fight without space assets. That’s why we say, “Control of the battlefield begins here.”’” (Air Force: Budget Uncertainty Threatens Cape Canaveral Rocket Launches,” Florida Today¸12/01/2017)

• “Without a deal, in a worst-case scenario, the government would shut down, as it did for 16 days in 2013. Then only about 900 uniformed personnel — a quarter of the 45th Space Wing’s work force — would report to work until the shutdown ended…. ‘I can’t launch rockets with a quarter of my work force,’ said Monteith.” (Air Force: Budget Uncertainty Threatens Cape Canaveral Rocket Launches,” Florida Today¸12/01/2017)

“If congressional squabbling over Obamacare leads to a government shutdown, hundreds of civilians at MacDill Air Force Base will be forced to take unpaid time off and the efficiency of the base and its two major military commands will be greatly affected, military officials said Monday.... ‘If the government shuts down, MacDill would be affected just like every other military installation around the world,’ said Terry Montrose, a spokesman for the 6th Air Mobility Wing, the base host unit. ‘Most operations and activities will halt and many civilian employees assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing will be furloughed. The absence of our civilian airmen will have an incredible impact on services across the base.’” (“MacDill AFB Braces For Hardships Of Federal Shutdown,” Tampa Bay Times, 9/30/2013)

• “Family readiness, education and training and medical programs would all be adversely affected, said Montrose. ‘The government shutdown will have a lasting impact on our families and service men and women...” (“MacDill AFB Braces For Hardships Of Federal Shutdown,” Tampa Bay Times, 9/30/2013)

• “‘The Centcom command and staff know that the uncertainty of the current situation puts our civilian workforce in a difficult situation and, should a lapse occur, it could potentially impose hardships on many employees,’ [Oscar] Seara [a Centcom spokesman] wrote in an email to The Tampa Tribune. ‘Without question, the efficiencies of Centcom would be significantly impacted if furloughs are implemented. Like the rest of the Defense Department, it could impose hardships on many employees and impact important national security projects.’” (“MacDill AFB Braces For Hardships Of Federal Shutdown,” Tampa Bay Times, 9/30/2013)

VIRGINIA: ‘If The Shutdown Happens, It Could Have A Huge Effect On Hampton Roads,’ ‘If The Federal Government Catches A Cold, The Hampton Roads Economy Ends Up The ICU’

“[T]he clock is ticking towards another possible federal government shutdown…. If the shutdown happens, it could have a huge effect on Hampton Roads. During the last government shutdown in 2013, a 21,000 civil servants were furloughed locally. ‘When you take away that portion of my budget, it hurts. It really does,’ furloughed civil servant Jeff Collis told 13 News Now in 2013. ‘And I work paycheck to paycheck.’” (“Clock Is Ticking Towards Possible Government Shutdown On Friday,” WEVC-TV Norfolk, 12/4/2017)

• “The 2013 shutdown lasted thirteen days. The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission estimated that it cost the region $6.3 million per day in lost wages.” (“Clock Is Ticking Towards Possible Government Shutdown On Friday,” WEVC-TV Norfolk, 12/4/2017)

• “Although the workers were eventually reimbursed, during the time of the shutdown, they didn't know that, so local commerce came to a brief halt. Everything from pizzas, to cars, and houses. The workers didn't buy any. They couldn't.  ‘It affects everyone from restaurants to real estate to people who cut people's hair to grocery stores to automobile salesmen to jewelry stores,’ said Old Dominion University economics professor Bob McNab. ‘A long shut down reduces consumption.’” (“Clock Is Ticking Towards Possible Government Shutdown On Friday,” WEVC-TV Norfolk, 12/4/2017)

• “‘About 40 percent of our economy is directly related to defense and the federal government,’ [McNab] said.  ‘Anytime you have a disruption of defense spending, the Hampton Roads economy slows. If the federal government catches a cold, the Hampton Roads economy ends up the ICU.’” (“Clock Is Ticking Towards Possible Government Shutdown On Friday,” WEVC-TV Norfolk, 12/4/2017)

WASHINGTON: 2013 Flashback -- ‘Our Economy Depends On These People Having A Wage’

“Only essential operations at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard will continue during the federal government shutdown, and that means thousands of people in Western Washington are being furloughed. Business owners in Bremerton say they’re also going to take a hit.” (“Bremerton Businesses Brace For Fallout From Shutdown,” KCPQ-TV Seattle, 10/01/2013)

• “The Navy confirmed furlough notices went out to 3,500 civilian employees [in 2013]. They were on what’s considered non-essential operations, so they’ll be without a job and a paycheck until Congress takes action. ‘These are human beings; these are people’s lives,’ business owner Todd Best said. ‘Our economy depends on these people having a wage.’ Best, a veteran, says the Navy can’t operate without its civilian workers. ‘We’ve got to remember who’s here fixing our ships, running our shipyard, who’s maintaining our military apparatus and ships that we have,’ he said. ‘At some point or another, we’re going to pay the price. We’re going to play catch-up because we’re falling behind now.’” (“Bremerton Businesses Brace For Fallout From Shutdown,” KCPQ-TV Seattle, 10/01/2013)

“Fairchild Air Force Base, the largest employer in Spokane County, said [in 2013] the government shutdown in Washington, D.C. has been very disruptive to the base's operations. It's disruptive because civilians are a key part of nearly every operation at the base and when the government shut down, 300 civilians and 248 full-time Guardsmen arrived at work Tuesday only to be told to go home. Each was briefed and told don't come back until the Congress passes funding for their positions. ‘The government shutdown here at Fairchild is greatly and extremely disruptive,’ 1st Lieutenant Matthew Sanders said.” (“Shutdown Forces Hundreds To Be Furloughed At Fairchild,” KXLY Spokane, 10/01/2013)

• “The services closed by the shutdown include the teen center, and the base library, while the base commissary will close Wednesday indefinitely, leaving people to stock up on groceries Tuesday afternoon. ‘Without those government civilians working, airmen and excepted civilians will have to try and share the load,’ Sanders said. From serving food and helping maintain the base gym to aircraft maintenance and flight scheduling, no sector of Fairchild was safe from the shutdown. ‘Even our flying mission is impacted somewhat because we do have civilians that help,’ Sanders said.” (“Shutdown Forces Hundreds To Be Furloughed At Fairchild,” KXLY Spokane, 10/01/2013)

COLORADO: ‘During The Last Shutdown … More Than 6,000 Civilian Defense Department Workers Were Off The Job In Colorado Springs,’ ‘A Massive Impact’

“Hurried shutdown planning meetings began at military bases across the Pikes Peak region Wednesday as leaders prepared for federal budget gridlock that would come if a deal isn't approved by Friday. The biggest impact of a federal shutdown would hit at the five bases, where as many as 6,000 civilian employees face furloughs, troops could see pay delays and amenities like military grocery stores and daycare centers could shutter until a budget accord is reached.” (“Potential Shutdown Would Hit Hardest At Colorado Springs Military Bases,” The [Colorado Springs] Gazette, 1/17/2018)

• “During the last shutdown on Oct. 1 2013, more than 6,000 civilian Defense Department workers were off the job in Colorado Springs, veterans disability claims piled up and federal parks closed. The suffering of 2013 may have been at its worst at the Air Force Academy, where a civilian employee in charge of ordering toilet paper for dormitories was furloughed, creating a temporary crisis for cadets.” (“Potential Shutdown Would Hit Hardest At Colorado Springs Military Bases,” The [Colorado Springs] Gazette, 1/17/2018)

• “On the home front, though, shutdowns impact most of the military's civilian workers. At Peterson Air Force Base alone, that's nearly 3,000 employees. There are hundreds more at Schriever Air Force Base, the academy and Fort Carson. Some workers will be deemed ‘essential’ under Pentagon plans, allowing them to stay on the job, though they may have to wait for pay. The rest will be placed on unpaid leave.” (“Potential Shutdown Would Hit Hardest At Colorado Springs Military Bases,” The [Colorado Springs] Gazette, 1/17/2018)

• “[I]n Colorado Springs, where an estimated 50 cents of every payroll dollar comes from Pentagon spending, a long-term shutdown would have a massive impact. An estimated one worker in five here is on the federal payroll, and the overwhelming majority of those federal workers are in military-related jobs. Annually, the military pumps $7.7 billion into El Paso County. Defense contractors, who bring in an estimated $2.1 billion in military spending here, could see their budgets impacted if the federal standoff lingers.” (“Potential Shutdown Would Hit Hardest At Colorado Springs Military Bases,” The [Colorado Springs] Gazette, 1/17/2018)

MISSOURI: 2013 Flashback -- ‘Shutdown Hits America’s First Line of Attack, Whiteman AFB’

“Shutdown Hits America’s First Line of Attack, Whiteman AFB … The government shutdown forced hundreds of thousands of civilian employees to go home early [in 2013], including thousands in the military installations around Kansas City. Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley in central Kan., and Whiteman Air Force Base near Knob Noster, Mo., all furloughed technicians and workers.” (“Shutdown Hits America’s First Line of Attack, Whiteman AFB,” KCUR, 10/01/2013)

• “…while America’s enemies can’t seem to touch B-2 bombers, the shutdown will take a toll on their base. ‘We are going to see impacts all across base, as a result of the government shutdown,’ says [Capt. John Severns, the Chief of Public Affairs at Whiteman]. At least 500 civilians have been furloughed at Whiteman, he says, including about 230 National Guard technicians. Some of them maintain those stealth bombers, which cost about $2.2 billion each. ‘We are going to be losing some of our maintainers, some of (our) munitions folk, people we rely on a day-to- day basis to conduct this mission,’ says Severns.” (“Shutdown Hits America’s First Line of Attack, Whiteman AFB,” KCUR, 10/01/2013)

• “The effects of the shutdown spread across Whiteman on Tuesday. Crowds descended like hurricane refugees after word got out that the base grocery store was closing, indefinitely…. People in Knob Noster, Mo., the little town jammed up against Whiteman, aren’t happy either. Linda Miller runs the BBQ restaurant, a place she and her family just opened this spring, in an old post office that had been empty for years. ‘It makes us feel a little frustrated,’ Miller says. ‘We came thinking we were going to have a very good crowd here, and a new business always has a lot of costs starting up. And that will impact us, if we can’t make those costs. Like many other businesses in the area, we could be forced to shut down.’” (“Shutdown Hits America’s First Line of Attack, Whiteman AFB,” KCUR, 10/01/2013)