Upcoming RIF will have base-wide impact

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kristin Haley
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 944th Reserve Fighter Wing will soon lose both the 302nd Fighter Squadron and 944th Maintenance Group, said Air Force officials recently.

The elimination of these organizations, along with 229 positions, will have a major impact to the 56th Fighter Wing here as the Civilian Personnel Office will initiate a required reduction-in-force.

The potential exists for many 56th FW employees to be negatively impacted due to the abolishment of the positions assigned to the 944th FW, said Robert Davies, Civilian Personnel human relations specialist. The RIF will be effective March 31. Affected employees will get their RIF notice at the end of January.

Currently, the Air Force Personnel Center is conducting a mock RIF which will give the 56th Fighter Wing CPO office a snapshot of what types of positions may be affected and who may be displaced.

"It will also help us determine who to register in the Department of Defense priority placement program," said Mr. Davies. "We will be able to offer early registration for individuals adversely impacted and help them find placement at another DOD installation before the RIF is effective."

The PPP is a DOD automated mandatory placement program that matches employees adversely affected by RIF with vacancies at other DOD installations. The mock RIF should be complete in early September.

"Despite the fact that many civilians in the 56th Fighter Wing could get RIF notices, it doesn't necessarily mean separation," said Joanne Elrod, 56th Fighter Wing Civilian Personnel Chief.

More than 35 Air Reserve Technicians from the 944th FW have already been placed through a "clearinghouse", which is an Air Force Reserve Command priority placement program for individuals whose positions will be eliminated. Air Reserve Technicians are currently able and encouraged to register in the clearing house for placement at different locations prior to the RIF; however if nothing becomes available, many of those individuals will compete in the RIF for placement within the 56th Fighter Wing.

"There are standardized government-wide rules which dictate this process. We know this is a very disruptive process, but when positions are abolished a RIF unfortunately is our only option," said Mr. Davies.

There are procedures in place to make sure federal employees have entitlements to their RIF rights, he explained. As the mock RIF and eventual RIF are conducted, an individual's retention standing will be based on tenure, veteran's preference, length of service and performance, in that order.

The 56th FW CPO office is holding vacancies as well as asking employees to update their experience brief and consider separation incentives. The separation incentive includes optional retirement, voluntary early retirement and resignation, all of which are eligible for incentive pay.

For questions regarding retirement eligibility and benefits call (800) 616-3775 or visit www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/dpc/best/retirements.htm. For questions about the RIF, call Mr. Davies at (623) 856-2123.