by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Federal furloughs start this week as a result of sequestration. 224 civilian employees assigned to Joint Region Marianas, Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base are impacted.

The Guam National Guard today revealed that the furloughs impact 70 permanent and temporary military technicians or mil-techs. Active-duty Guard members will not be furloughed, but dual-status miltechs of the National Guard are actually civilian employees who wear their uniforms on the job. The National Guard is the only part of the uniformed Army and Air Force in which soldiers and airmen are directly affected, because of the inclusion of military technicians in the furlough. Adjutant General Major General Benny Paulino says it's going to be difficult to fill the gaps over the next few months, adding they will just have to make the best of what they have.