Furlough days reduced for YARS civilian workforce Published Aug. 7, 2013 910AW/PA YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced yesterday that the Department of Defense (DoD) is reducing the number of sequester-driven civilian furlough days for most DoD civilians from 11 to six. The reduction is based on Congress' approval of parts of a large reprogramming proposal the DoD submitted to Congress in May, allowing for the movement of funds from acquisition accounts to day-to-day operating accounts as well as less than expected costs in some areas. "While we are still depending on furlough savings," said Hagel, "we will be able to make up our budgetary shortfall in this fiscal year with fewer furlough days than initially announced." For Youngstown Air Reserve Station, this means most of the more than 400 person full-time civilian workforce will complete their six furlough days by Aug. 19, instead of completing 11 furlough days by the end of September as originally planned. The reduction in furlough days will lessen economic hardship for the station's workforce and increase mission readiness for personnel. "The reduction in furlough days is good news to our personnel in these stressful and uncertain times," said Col. Bill Philips, 910th Airlift Wing Operations Group Commander. "The 910th looks forward to returning to full-time operations in support of our war-time mission." Monday access to base services for DoD card holders is scheduled to resume Aug. 26. These services include the base fitness center, Community Activity Center, Base Exchange and ID card section. The base has been closed on Monday's since furloughs began July 15.