PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Patrick Air Force Base escaped job cuts this year, but structure changes coming to the Air Force because of the U.S. Department of Defense budget reduction will eliminate jobs here next year, according to Local 6 News parter Florida Today.
In comparison to what it had two years ago, the changes coming through fiscal year 2013 will leave the base with:
• 15 fewer military positions
• 327 more civilian positions
• four more reservists
• 122 fewer National Guardsmen
That's a net gain of 194 positions.
Proposed cuts to the Florida Air National Guard include the elimination of the 114th Range Operations Squadron and its 122 personnel based at Patrick. Of the 122 personnel to be eliminated, 17 are full-time Guardsmen.
"This is distressing news for the Florida National Guard family, specifically the members of the 114th," said Maj. Gen. Emmett Titshaw Jr., the Adjutant General of Florida. "This announcement not only affects these talented space range operations personnel, but it also affects their families and the communities in which they live.
"The Florida National Guard will work in the coming days to mitigate the effects of these announcements on these outstanding airmen and their families. We will work with the leadership of the 114th on possible staffing solutions going forward."
The 114th's mission is to support range operations for the Atlas, Delta and now-retired Titan launches. It also provided support for shuttle launches. The 114th was formed in 1989 to provide communications, and transitioned in the mid-1990s to space launch operations supporting the 45th Space Wing.
The men and women of the 114th monitor consoles for signs of boats or aircraft that may stray too close to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on launch day. Of those who are full-time and of those who serve one weekend a month and two weeks each year, most live in the area.
The DOD fiscal 2013 budget adjusts Air Force military strength to 501,000, with net reductions of 3,900 active duty, 5,100 Air National Guard and 900 Air Force Reserve positions.
The force structure announcement shows that in 2011, there were 19,981 airmen and 11,117 civilians on 10 military bases in Florida. It shows the state with a net gain of 613 between this year and next, even though it loses 198 in 2013. That is in addition to reservists and National Guardsmen.
Brad Swezey, a spokesman for the 45th Space Wing, addressed the changes to range operations with the elimination of the National Guard 114th Range Operations Squadron.
"The 45th Space Wing continues to be fully mission-ready to operate the Eastern Range to launch national assets into space in a manner that protects public safety," he said.