Tinker Air Force Base Braces For Loss Of Nearly 1000 Jobs

By Steve Shaw, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Tinker Air Force Base is bracing for the loss of nearly a thousand jobs.

The Air Force's Chief of Staff made the grim announcement Tuesday afternoon in Washington D.C. Just a day earlier, General Norton Schwartz was in Oklahoma City, where he spoke about the potential of Tinker cuts at a OKC Chamber Luncheon.

3/6/2012 Related Story: Air Force To Shut Down 600 Employee Unit At Tinker

Schwartz says Tinker will lose 948 jobs in the active military, Air Force Reserve, and civilian positions.

Chamber President Roy Williams says the General gave no clue during his visit Monday that he would announce cuts so soon. But he says Oklahomans should not be bitter.

Williams says members of the Oklahoma City Chamber are going to do what they can to keep many of those who are losing their jobs employed in the private sector.

Governor Mary Fallin blames President Obama for the cuts. Tuesday night, she said "This is yet another instance of misplaced priorities and a policy agenda that is dangerously out of touch."