CFB Gander likely to escape search and rescue cuts

The Canadian Forces base incentral Newfoundlandis facing cuts as the federal military absorbs one-fifth of all reductions announced in this year's federal budget, but top officials in Gander said search and rescue services shouldn't be affected.

"We don't see our capability to deliver search and rescue being affected," said acting base commander Maj. Luc Girard.

Three military Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters are basedin Gander.

Full-time reservists, with many having served in Afghanistan, do a lot of the work at the base in central Newfoundland.

"What we do know will be affected is our reserve personnel. Our budgets are going to be constrained," said Girard.

He said that means the base won't be able to hire as many full-time reservists as it has in the past.

Girard said that's damaging morale, but he said it may take a while to know the full impact of the cuts.

Inthe federal budget, delivered by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty at the end of last month, the biggest cuts in dollar terms were made to the Department of National Defence, at $1.1 billion over three years.