A National Guard federal funding reduction will have a big impact on Salina and Fort Riley.

Sharon Watson from the Kansas Adjutant General’s Office tells KSAL News that the guard was recently notified of a significant reduction in federal funding that supports the Readiness Sustainment Maintenance Sites in Salina and Fort Riley. The current 2013 annual budget for the facilities of $22 million is being cut by approximately $15 million.

The maintenance sites rebuild and refurbishes military equipment for the Department of Defense.

The federal funding reductions will result in the elimination of 82 full-time positions effective October 2, 2013, and the loss of 30 more full-time employee positions effective January 16, 2014.

The reductions will reduce the total combined staff of 182 down to between 70 – 85, and will prompt the closure of the Salina maintenance location in January.

The maintenance site in Salina expanded in 2005 into a 67,859 sq. ft. manufacturing facility at the Salina Airport. Its primary purpose was to rebuild large trucks and trailers.

Though the maintenance facility is closing, the National Guard will still have a strong presence in Salina. The 108th Aviation Battalion, the Great Plains Joint Training Center, the recruiting command headquarters, the civil air patrol state headquarters, officers and warrant officer training, and the Smoky Hill Weapons Range.