Air Force restructuring
cuts 24 isle military jobsThe announced trims are in
addition to 37 lost civilian positions
The Air Force has begun restructuring its Pacific operations, which will mean the loss of 24 military positions in Hawaii.
Earlier this week, the Air Force said 37 civilian workers at Hickam Air Force Base would be laid off by the end of the September as a result of this restructuring and because there is not enough money to pay for these positions.
Maj. Almarah Belk, Hickam spokeswoman, said initially the change would have meant a loss of 147 civilian jobs from its work force of 1,375.
"However, 35 of those positions were vacant," she added, "and now will not be filled."
The number was cut to 37 civilian positions by placing some civilian workers in other jobs or by offering early retirement packages.
"And it might get even smaller before the job cut takes effect in September," she said.
Throughout the Pacific Air Forces bases in Alaska, Hawaii and Guam, 207 military positions and 90 civilian jobs have been singled out for elimination.
For example, the Air Force said, at Hickam's 15th Airlift Wing, 20 military and four civilian positions will be lost because of the decreased workload at Johnston Atoll, which is slated to close its munitions dispersal operations.
At Kaena Point the Pacific Air Forces Detachment 4 of 22nd Space Operations Squadron will lose two military and one civilian position because of restructuring.
A change in the mission of the 324th Intelligence Squadron at Kunia will mean that nine military airmen will be out of a job.
But on Maui, Air Force Research Laboratory, Detachment 12, will gain 12 civilian workers because of a need to beef up its security.
No loss in equipment or aircraft was reported for Hickam.
