Video: New Civilian Contractor Taking Over at CAFB

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COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (WCBI) – Dozens of contract employees at Columbus Air Force Base face some job uncertainty.

Long-time airplane facility maintenance company DynCorp has lost its contract at the base and L-3 Communications, an international company with operations in nine countries, will take over the role in December.

“The Air Force awarded the Columbus aircraft maintenance contract to L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace out of Madison, Miss., on Oct. 26. The award of this 7-year, $281M contract is the outcome of a 20-month acquisition process and represents the best value to Air Force. We are proud of our 7-year partnership with DynCorp and their many great contributions to our pilot training mission. We look forward to teaming with L-3 when they begin contract performance Dec. 1, 2012,” a CAFB spokesperson said.

Some DynCorp employees tell WCBI L-3 wants to cut salaries and benefits for workers and reduce staff. DynCorp has 487 workers at the base. It’s had the contract since 1988.

Some union DynCorps workers are meeting this evening to discuss possible actions to protect their benefits and jobs.

L-3 officials could not be reached this afternoon for comment.