BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
Jobs, contracts and construction projects funded by the 940th Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., funneled more than $36 million into area communities, according to the Air Force Reserve unit's fiscal year 2013 economic impact statement.
That figure is down from last year's economic impact by more than $5 million due primarily to a decrease in payroll spending that reflects a drop in the number of civilian and military jobs at the unit. Over the past 12 months, the reserve wing downsized from 1,101 positions to 843.
"While the manning of the 940th has decreased, the number of Reservists assigned here at Beale has actually grown," said Colonel Kevin Cavanagh, 940th Wing commander. "That's good news for the local economy."
In September, the 50th Intelligence Squadron's 88 authorized positions were realigned under the 655th Intelligence Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the 38th Intelligence Squadron was stood up, bringing another 73 Reserve positions to the base. In June, the 940th Civil Engineering Squadron was reduced to a flight as more than 100 members of the unit transitioned to the new 583rd RED HORSE Squadron at Beale. The 583rd will maintain 200 positions once the unit reaches full operating capacity in the coming months.
"Changing global missions, national security concerns and ongoing budget challenges due to sequestration are driving the Air Force to become a leaner force," Cavanagh said. "The past year has been extremely challenging. Our wing has gone through a period of transition while continuing to keep our reservists and their readiness as our top priority."
According to the annual report, the 940th Wing's expenditure for construction, services, and procurement of equipment and materials was more than $5.3 million, exceeding the previous year's $4.5 million. Nearly half of that reported amount funded training opportunities.
"The Air Force continues to retain high quality airmen at historic rates. As we become smaller, it's even more important that we retain highly trained, high performing airmen," Cavanagh said.
The 940th Wing is the Air Force Reserve Command's leading provider of command and control and surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The men and women of the 940th Wing have participated in numerous humanitarian missions across the globe, including the recent U.S. military disaster relief response to the Philippines in the wake of the Typhoon Haiyan. Reservists assigned to the 940th Wing have also made significant contributions to U.S. operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.
The 940th Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., also includes five geographically separated reserve units at Joint Base Langley-Eustis,Virginia, March Air Reserve Base in Southern California, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
In addition to the reported impact on the Beale area economy, the 940th Wing channeled more than $14.4 million into communities around the bases where the wing's geographically separated units are located, according to the annual statement.