(File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – Following the shutdown of the federal government this week, agencies across all 50 states are bracing themselves until a budget compromise is reached in Washington, D.C.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts currently has 3,000 active military members, along with 15,000 reserve and National Guard members and 7,000 civilians working for the Department of Defense. Approximately 799 total Technicians were furloughed at the start of this month in Massachusetts, with 270 of them serving at Barnes Air National Guard Base. Military Technicians are “employees of the Department of Army, Department of the Air Force and are required to maintain military membership in the National Guard in order to retain employment”, referred to as “dual-status technicians”.
The National Guard employs non-military Technicians referred to as non-dual-status Technicians. Massachusetts’ branch of the National Guard employs approximately 891 dual-status and 39 non-dual status Technicians.
“The Massachusetts National Guard will assist our Technician employees and their families affected by furloughs in whatever way possible,” said Lt. Col. James Sahady, spokesman for the Massachusetts National Guard. “We are employing all of our resources to face this issue head-on to help reduce the effects that a shutdown would cause on our mission and our people.”
A furlough is a leave of absence or a temporary layoff granted to members of the armed forces and as such, they cannot grant interviews to the media.
Officers stationed at the base, however, while still remaining focused on their day-to-day duties, are thinking of their fellow officers.
“At this point, we’re putting our best foot forward,” said one high-ranking officer at Barnes. “Our concern is there for those who have been furloughed.”
According to Col. Sahady, 35 percent of Barnes’ civilian technicians have been furloughed, but the base is still fully operational.
“Despite the government shutdown, the Massachusetts National Guard will carry out its mission,” he said. “To maintain properly trained and equipped units available to support the nation and to provide trained and disciplined forces for emergencies within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
“We are working through budget uncertainty and will make decisions to minimize impacts on our mission, personnel and communities,” Col. Sahady said. “Our Soldiers and Airmen have faced adversity in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe, and Africa… they are a motivated force and I have no doubt that when the citizens need them, they will answer the call.”
On Thursday, it was announced that the October Unit Training Assembly scheduled for this weeknd has been cancelled.
“We will have further words on the rescheduling of the training weekend in the near future,” said Col. James Keefe, Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing. “I can’t thank the men and women of the 104th enough for their flexibility and professionalism.”
