Sequestration planned to impact Fairchild during summer Published June 5, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Jordan Pollock 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash., -- Sequestration continues to have impacts across the base beyond fewer TDYs and reduced flying operations. One of the new impacts, soon to be visible, will be reduced hours of operation at the base commissary. Beginning July 8 through Sept. 30 the Fairchild commissary will have new hours as a result of planned furloughs due to Department of Defense-wide budget constraints. The Defense Commissary Agency here will be closed Tuesdays starting July 8 and be open normal business hours Wednesdays through Sundays through Sept 30. "Due to the furlough, we have moved our stock day from Mondays to Tuesdays," said Eric Quantock, DeCa store director. "On Wednesdays it will be business as usual and we will still offer our demonstrations with samples and great customer service." In an effort to cut down on costs, DeCa has also implemented a hiring freeze on all outside hires and curtailed all overtime and official travel. The planned furlough notification came to all 56 commissary employees last week, said Quantock. Due to budget cuts the case lot sale in May was cancelled. Another sale, scheduled for September, was also recently cancelled. "The commissary employees are still eager to serve the Fairchild community even though we will be closed on Tuesdays," Quantock said. "We will remain diligent to provide the services that keeps Fairchild mission ready." The planned furlough not only affects the commissary but most agencies on base that employ DoD civilians. "The planned furlough will impact approximately 400 employees from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, 336th Training Group, and the 509th Weapons Squadron," said Sharon Seiber, civilian personnel officer. The furlough will affect other base agencies as well with a planned starting date of July 8. It is expected to last 11 weeks. "The Child Development Center's hours will not be affected by the planned furlough," said Janna Keller, Airmen Family Services flight chief. Our Teachers and front desk clerk will not be affected so we will be able to keep the same hours, she added. If the DoD officially decides to initiate the planned furlough, more notifications will be sent out in mid June. Fairchild civilians should have already received notifications of the planned furlough from their supervisors within the last week. "Team Fairchild is comprised of professional, hard-working civilians who work hand-in-hand with our Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard Airmen. As we navigate through sequestration's impacts together, including these planned furloughs, I want to thank you for your patience, and more importantly, your resolve in completing the mission regardless of the challenges," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92 ARW commander. "My civilian personnel team will continue to get information out as quickly as possible to keep everyone informed throughout this process. As always, thank you for your professionalism as part of Team Fairchild."