OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — The government shutdown has led to the furlough of nearly 2,300 civilian employees at Offutt Air Force Base, affecting those living paycheck to paycheck and leaving them uncertain about the shutdown's duration.

Kris Pierce, chief of public affairs for Offutt Air Force Base 55th wing, said this is the first time in several years that the installation has felt the impact of a government shutdown. "The furlough in President Trump's first term in late '18, early '19, for 35 days, really, the DoD was exempted from that furlough. So we didn't feel the effects then, but we are now," Pierce said.

Pierce explained that nearly 2,300 civilian employees have been furloughed, and efforts are underway to ensure they have access to various support options. "Whether it be through the Air Force, society, the Red Cross, there actually is the ability to file for unemployment during this time, with the caveat that that is paid back. It's not free money," Pierce said. "But, if they need that option because of financial restraints, there is that, and we provide that information for them. So they could do that, and then once they get their back pay, which they will get when we come back to work, they just repay that money."

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