WASHINGTON – With the government shutdown, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) remains open but some services are affected due to the lack of funding.
JBAB Commander, Navy Capt. Anthony T. Calandra said the Installation remains open and continues to conduct its national security and other critical missions.
While most civilian workers have been furloughed effective today, essential services, including those pertaining to public safety, security and emergency response will remain staffed and conduct normal operations with military and selected civilian personnel, who have been exempted from the furlough, Calandra assured.
“The safety and security of the Installation; its conduct of essential services in support of national security; homeland defense; homeland security and other vital missions, as well as the welfare of our personnel and their families is always paramount,” Calandra said.
During the furlough, JBAB’s Fitness Center II (North side of the base); Information, Tickets and Tours office; Navy Personnel Support Detachment - Washington; Finance Office; Drug Lab and the Housing Office are among the services directly impacted and will be closed, according to JBAB Vice Commander, Air Force Col. Michael E, Saunders.
In addition to police, fire, emergency medical, religious JBAB’s Joint Visitor’s Center; Child Development Centers; Fitness Center I (south side of the base); Public Works Department; the Exchange; Bolling Club; Slip Inn; Fitness Center I and all other Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities will remain operational.
JBAB’s Transportation Management Office will be open for emergencies only. The Air Force Military Personnel Flight will provide limited services for Permanent Change of Station; Reenlistment and Passport services. The Chapel’s administrative support will be closed but most worship services and all counseling services remain operating. The JBAB Commissary will be open normal hours on 1 Oct in order to reduce perishable inventory but will be closed, commencing Oct. 2, Saunders announced.
The Air Force 579th Medical Group will continue with the planned free Flu Shot event on Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at JBAB’s main Chapel, but an associated exercise, scheduled to begin today has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date, Saunders said.
These are initial actions and the Base may modify these lists dependent on how long the shutdown lasts.
Federal employees affected by the furlough and in need of emergency financial assistance should consider contacting the Federal Employee Education and Assistance fund (FEEA) for an emergency loan at www.feea.org. FEEA is an authorized participant in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which continues until December.
“Today is a bittersweet day for JBAB as we mark the third anniversary of JBAB’s established in 2010, following Congressional orders, in an effort to realize efficiency savings and better stewardship of taxpayer funded facilities and property, as well as personnel consolidation that we have undergone,” Calandra said.
“With our responsibility to be good stewards of not only the funding allotted to us by Congress, but also of our environment, I ask that that all furloughed employees make a special effort to ensure that they power down all electrical and electronic devices and secure all windows and doors before departing their workplace, to protect governmental property and allow us to take advantage of energy savings and its positive effect on our environment,” Calandra concluded.