Base commander conducts press conference, discusses base, community furlough impacts Published March 8, 2013 By Jenny Gordon Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Col. Mitchel Butikofer, installation commander, met with local media Tuesday at the Airman and Family Readiness Center to address sequestration and its possible effects on the base and local community. "One of the impacts - and clearly the one on the minds of most - is the possible furlough of our 15,000 civilian employees for as many as 22 days between April and September," he said. "They would see about a 20 percent reduction in their pay during this period. "We know our workforce will get through whatever lies ahead," he added, "but at the same time we want to remind them there are specialists within our Employee Assistance Program and at our Airman and Family Readiness Center who are ready to help as needed." Fielding questions from the media, he addressed topics ranging from what type of positions would be affected to mission impact. It was details about mission impacts that Butikofer stressed are not fully known during this time. However, he did provide several examples for reference, including the possible reduction of civilian gate guards. "If we were to have our civilian workforce in our Security Forces area furloughed, we will see longer waits at the gate in the mornings - potentially, you could see waits from 45 minutes to an hour to get on base," he said. "We're already in dialogue with our mission partners to see what we can do to mitigate that." He cited other examples such as the wait for repairs across base to possible delays with work on the flight line. "We've already been directed to reduce our maintenance on our infrastructure to mission-critical items only," he said. "Right now our airfield is open around the clock. Maybe we'd have to look at the mission impact of closing the airfield a few hours a night." Teams with civilian doctors at the base clinic would also be affected, with patients possibly having to be referred to Tricare providers in the community. Visitors, retirees and dependents who rely on services such as the commissary and Exchange, and clinic for pharmaceuticals, will also have to wait to get on base should sequestration be implemented. However, he said it was his job to make sure there are as few disruptions as possible. "We, as Team Robins, are here to make sure whatever comes, comes with as minimal impact as possible," he said. "We're here to support our workforce and provide as much outreach and support as we can through our established programs here." One reporter asked about the atmosphere on base, to which he responded, "You can probably imagine that there is anxiety out there. We are encouraging our folks to make plans ... which include (the possibility of) a reduction in salaries of 20 percent." On the issue of unemployment benefits, Butikofer said the base is still awaiting guidance and details couldn't be provided at this time. When asked if civilian furloughs are the worst case scenario or if future cuts are expected, he said the focus of Air Force leadership now is the immediate impacts of sequestration. He concluded by thanking the Middle Georgia community for its continued support of the base. "We understand there will be impact on the community as well," he said. "We ask for its patience in helping us get through this as best as we can."