Air Force to offer second round of buyouts

Part of an overall effort to return civilian funding to 2010 levels, this follows 6,000 buyout offers in September 2011 and a hiring freeze that lasted from August to December.

"We are pursuing all available force management measures, to include civilian hiring controls where required, with the goal of avoiding involuntary measures for our current permanent workforce," said Maj. Gen. Sharon Dunbar, the director of force management policy.

Civilian Air Force employees will receive eligibility surveys beginning Jan. 9. Employees must apply by Feb. 3 and if approved, will have to leave by April 30.

"The Air Force recognizes the invaluable contributions of our civilian workforce, but also recognizes the fiscal constraints under which the Department of Defense and the government as a whole are operating," Dunbar said. "We are working to balance mission needs while taking care to minimize the effect on our current permanent civilian workforce and their families."