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315th faces potential manpower cuts if the FY15 Presidential Budget is approved

  • Published
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Approximately 171 manpower authorizations may be cut from across the 315th Airlift Wing starting later this year, if Congress includes the reductions when it passes the National Defense Authorization Act.

These numbers, released to 315 AW leadership May 2, 2014, reflect an effort to plan for proposed budget impacts, as the U.S. draws down from the longest conflict in its history.
The manpower figures follow an announcement made in March that Joint Base Charleston would convert eight C-17s from primary assigned aircraft to back-up inventory status. These changes come as part of an Air Force-wide, post-war rebalance of forces.

These reductions would be implemented only if the budget is passed by Congress, which is currently under review.

"Although the number of C-17s physically located at the installation would not change, how our aircraft are utilized and funded would be re-categorized to align with current wartime requirements," said Col. Scott Sauter, 315th Airlift Wing commander.

"The changes in aircraft status would ultimately drive the proposed reductions, which are projected to impact the 315th Operations Group and 315th Maintenance Group specifically," he said.

Personnel losses include 31 air reserve technicians and 140 traditional reserve authorizations. The 31 air reserve technicians are reservists and full-time civilian civil service employees. Of those, about 18 percent of the lost authorizations are officers and 82 percent are enlisted positions.

"Leadership understands the considerable amount of stress this places on the men and women of the 315th Airlift Wing. Each individual provides incredible value, expertise and dedication to the Wing and our warfighting capability. You can rest assured, I am committed, along with our command, to ensuring the maximum number of men and women can continue to serve," said Sauter.

"No matter what changes the wing might face in the coming years, it will be incumbent on us as leaders to look at all available options for our Airmen. Despite these potential challenges, our global mobility mission will continue," said Sauter.

If approved by Congress, most of the proposed force structure changes will occur in 2015 and 2016.

For questions or concerns regarding these announcements, ARTs should consult with the military personnel flight and civilian personnel offices on base, while traditional reservists should work through the military personnel flight.