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 Oct. 1, 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 Information, Tickets and Tours office; Navy Personnel Support Detachment - Washington; Finance Office; Drug Lab and the Housing Office are among the services directly impacted by closures, according to JBAB Vice Commander, Air Force Col. Michael E. Saunders.
In addition to police, fire, emergency medical, and religious personnel, several JBAB facilities will remain open. They are the Joint Visitors’ Center, Child Development Centers, all fitness centers, Public Works Department, the Exchange, Bolling Club, Slip Inn, and all other Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities not mentioned will remain open.
JBAB’s Transportation Management Office will be open for emergencies only. The Air Force Military Personnel Flight will provide limited services for permanent changes of station, reenlistments and passport services.
The chapel’s administrative support will be closed but most worship services and all counseling services remain operational. The JBAB Commissary will be closed until further notice, Saunders announced.
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 (FEEA) fund 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 establishment in 2010,” Calandra said on Oct. 1. “Our establishment and joint basing in general is part of an effort to realize efficiencies and to be better stewards of taxpayer funded facilities and property.”
“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 all furloughed employees make a special effort to ensure that each of you powers down all electrical and electronic devices and secures all windows and doors before departing your workplace, to protect governmental property and allow us to take advantage of energy savings and its positive effect on our environment,” Calandra concluded.