AFSOC identifies mission impact of sequestration Published Feb. 11, 2013 By AFSOC Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Air Force Special Operations Command will be required to implement spending reductions that will have substantial impact on its mission if sequestration takes effect March 1. "I know the possibility of sequestration is frustrating to a lot of people and uncertainty is the worst part," said Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, AFSOC commander. "We will do everything we can to pass information and decisions to our AFSOC family as soon as they become available." Sequestration will cause the command to reduce its daily operating budget as well as take additional reduction in our investment accounts. The impacts would not only be felt at all AFSOC locations, but would ripple throughout every Geographic Combatant Command since AFSOC provides Air Force special operations forces worldwide. These reductions, along with other Air Force-wide cuts, will ultimately hamper overall Air Force operations and readiness, Air Force officials said. "We're taking prudent steps now in order to be good stewards of taxpayer resources against the potential eventuality of sequestration," said Dr. Jamie Morin, acting Under Secretary of the Air Force, during a media roundtable Feb. 7. "Doing things to reduce our risk there to the extent we can, but the actions we're taking are focused on things that we see as reversible and not damaging to direct combat capability. But nevertheless, they are disruptive to a whole host of Air Force priorities and functions." The command has undertaken several near-term actions to save money such as implementing a temporary civilian hiring freeze, releasing non-mission critical term and temporary employees, cancelling non-mission critical travel, limiting supply purchases, reducing service contracts, postponing non-emergency facility sustainment, curtailing flying not directly related to readiness, and reviewing Overseas Contingency Operation requirements. There is the possibility of civilian furloughs. If sequestration occurs, the Department of Defense will have to furlough 800,000 civilians for up to 22 days a piece during the remainder of the year. Congress is addressing the budgetary uncertainty which may avoid these actions; however, the DoD and the services are preparing necessary actions should furlough be executed. The DoD stated that furloughs will only be executed as one of our measures of last resort. Civilian employees will be advised at least 30 days prior to imposing any unpaid furlough. "Our command is going to feel some real pain if sequestration occurs," Fiel said. "Not the least is if our critical civilian workforce is placed on a furlough schedule. We need their expertise." AFSOC officials are planning for sequestration impacts that include: - Reduced hours and money spent on flight operations. -Incrementally funding service contracts, which would impact base-operating support services such as communications, facility operations, and mission operations support. - Delaying or reducing non-mission critical expenditures such as emergency-only work orders and reduced funding for Morale Welfare and Recreation facilities. - Delaying or reducing mission critical parts and cargo shipping. - If directed by the Department of Defense, furlough of civilian employees for up to 22 days. If sequestration occurs, these near-term actions, already underway, will continue through the remainder of the year. "We have had to work with the Continuing Resolution," Fiel said. "If sequestration is enacted, everything from flight operations to supply purchases will be affected. However, AFSOC is known for its flexibility and resiliency. We will push through and remain the best special operations aviation unit in the world."