COLLINS ANNOUNCES DEFENSE COMMITMENT TO JOBS AT LIMESTONE

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Susan Collins announced today that the Department of Defense has committed to a work plan for its Defense Finance and Accounting System (DFAS) that ensures job security and a likely increased workload for the 350 workers at the former Loring Air Base in Limestone for the next three years. The DFAS Limestone Field Organization provides finance and accounting services to all 18 Air Force bases and 20 associated Air National Guard units of the Air Force''s Air Combat Command, stretching across 22 states, two foreign countries, and southwest Asia.

"This is very good news for DFAS workers at Limestone and very good news for Aroostook County. The workers, their families, and nearby communities can be assured that these jobs are safe for the near future," said Senator Collins. "This is an important step in streamlining administrative operations for the Air National Guard. It is also continuing evidence of the high quality of work being performed at DFAS Limestone."

DFAS is undertaking the new work initiatives to increase the efficiency of finance and accounting operations for the Air National Guard. The plan is may result in 22 additional work-years for employees, some of which may be performed at Limestone. The new work plan is scheduled to begin June 2004 and be complete by April 2007. The initiatives are expected to save the Department of Defense and estimated $46 million in finance and accounting costs over five years.