Base braces for cuts

Naval Base Ventura County is already feeling the effects of the threatened sequestration.

If Congress doesn’t approve a budget, when members return at the end of the month, across -the-board budget cuts will take affect March 1.

NBVC public affairs spokesperson Kimberly Gearhart said the base is already bracing for cuts.

There is a hiring freeze in place that affects civilian jobs, and all nonessential travel has been canceled.

The base canceled an upcoming boxing event and a symposium, but it has not made any lineup changes to this year’s air show starring the Blue Angels.

The base employs about 20,000 people.