"Sequestration", or automatically-triggered, governmental spending cuts could go into effect next week. If so, this could implement billions of dollars in budget cuts for the armed forces, including a local impact on our own MacDill Air Force Base, 10 News reports.
With the help of their partners at USA Today, 10 News obtained unclassified planning documents from armed forces divisions including the Army, Navy, and Air Force earlier this week. If the budget sequestration goes into effect next week, the military may be forced to cut their collective budget by about nine percent.
According to 10 News, each military division will make cuts across multiple programs in a number of states including a significant cut to the schedule of the Navy's stunt flying team the Blue Angels, a popular attraction at the MacDill Airfest which takes place at MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa every April.
But, that's small potatoes in comparison to the $20 million MacDill could lose annually if the sequestration goes into effect.
The Army will take the biggest hit of the armed forces followed by the Navy, which has a large Florida, especially in Jacksonville. Spending cuts between both branches will also mean layoffs or furloughs for about 450,000 people throughout the country.
We'll keep you posted as more news arises regarding the upcoming budget sequestration.
