WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Thousands of workers at Wright Patterson Air Force Base face an uncertain future after news of large defense department cuts.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 6, the Trump administration directed the Pentagon to prepare for significant defense budget reductions.
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Pete Hegseth, secretary of defense, told military leaders to prepare to cut 8 percent of the budget, for each of the next five years.
Probationary employees are one category of workers believed to be closest to the chopping block.
News Center 7 reached out to the Dayton Development Coalition about the possible cuts.
They said they “request that exemptions for critical personnel at Wright Patterson be granted.”
If cuts do happen they said they “will work to connect affected personnel to private employers in their field throughout the region and across the state.”
Dayton Congressman Mike Turner spoke to News Center 7 about what he knows.
“There needs to be more jobs at Wright Patterson Air Force Base if we’re going to have a strong military and I think that message is going to be heard loud and clear,” Turner said.
Turner would not directly address the possibility of job losses but believes Wright Patteson will be strong moving forward.
A spokesperson for the Air Force Materiel Command issued the following response to News Center 7′s questions:
“There are rumors and speculation circulating regarding the status of probationary employees. As of now (Thursday, 20 Feb, 6:30 p.m.), NO probationary termination notices have been sent to AF employees at Wright-Patterson AFB. We do not have the number of Wright-Patterson AFB employees who may be affected by termination actions. We are supporting the Department of the Air Force as it makes decisions on the future of its workforce and continue to support our employees with extensive resources dedicated to their well-being.”
Suggestions for budget cutting from Pentagon leaders are due to President Trump on Feb. 24.
We will continue to follow this story.
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