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John Bohanan Jr., Maryland Delegate and senior adviser to U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer, contacted The Bay Net late last week to clarify reports about planned personnel cuts to Southern Maryland’s Navy Bases.
The Bay Net reported on an April 13 visit by Hoyer to Lexington Park where he discussed Navy plans to reduce the base workforce by 20 percent, and the fact that “BRAC goes on everyday at the Pentagon.”
Bohanan said Friday the 20 percent reduction goal was created by NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) in late 2003, to be implemented between 2004 and 2009. The plan was not initiated by Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter, who has been in position since January of this year.
The manpower reduction goal targets Patuxent Naval Air Station and Webster Field in St. Inigoes. The Bay Net was incorrect in stating Indian Head was included.
“It is a stated goal of NAVAIR, and not being directed by the Navy, to decrease by 20 percent,” Bohanan said.
“And they’re not going to be laying anyone off,” he said, stating the plan calls for not filling positions after people leave or retire.
Bohanan said he and Hoyer want to be clear that this goal does not fit with the ever-expanding workload at Pax River.
“There are a lot of folks in the business community that are hypersensitive about this,” he said. “A lot of work is coming and they’re still trying to push that goal.”
Bohanan and Hoyer are working to familiarize Secretary Winter with the scope of work at Pax River. Last week the secretary visited Patuxent Naval Air Station for his first time.
“He was very favorably impressed with the capability of Pax and the breadth and depth of work that goes on there,” Bohanan said.
“We’re going to go back to him … and ask if that goal makes sense,” he added. “The work load is the driver here, and we believe that’s what will prevail.”
Due to the workload: “We believe this is ultimately something that cannot happen,” Bohanan told The Bay Net.