“There are rumors and speculation circulating regarding the status of probationary employees. As of now (Thursday, 20 Feb, 6 p.m.), NO probationary termination notices have been sent to AF employees at Wright-Patterson AFB. We do not have the number of Wright-Patterson AFB employees who may be affected by termination actions. We are supporting the Department of the Air Force as it makes decisions on the future of its workforce and continue to support our employees with extensive resources dedicated to their well-being.”
The statement came as leaders of the Department of Defense were contemplating what appeared to be plans for mass firings of civilian employees. It has been unclear how deep those firings would go.
In a video posted late Thursday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he was leading a “reevaluation of our probationary workforce,” guided by the Office of Personnel Management’s Jan. 20 directive.
In the video, Hegseth said he wanted “the biggest, most badass military on the planet, on God’s green Earth.” He added that the Pentagon has welcomed the Department of Government Efficiency, and promised representatives of D.O.G.E. will have “broad access” to “save taxpayer dollars.”
He also said his team will redirect about 8% or about $50 billion away from the defense priorities of the previous presidential administration to President Trump’s priorities.
He said the “re-evaluation of our probationary workforce” is happening across government, not just the Department of Defense.
“Our leaders are carrying out that review carefully and swiftly. Now, bottom line, it is simply not in the public interest to retain individuals whose contributions are not mission-critical,” the secretary said.
Wright-Patterson has been a reliable economic engine of the Dayton area — and a center of Air Force research and development — for decades. The base has some 38,000 civilian and military employees and a huge economic impact.
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