WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — The Air Force has put into effect immediately a 90-day hiring freeze and said it will reduce its ranks of temporary employees as well as offer buyouts and early retirements to eligible employees.

Wright-Patterson spokesman Daryl Mayer said Monday he had no information on how that would affect employment at the base, a key hub for logistics, acquisition, research and development functions within the Air Force. As recently as 2009, Wright-Patterson — the largest single-site employer in Ohio — reported its total employment at about 27,000, including civilians, uniformed personnel and contractors, although that number fluctuates.

The Pentagon is under congressional and White House pressure to trim spending as part of Washington’s effort to reduce the government’s budget deficit.

One goal of the Air Force’s efforts is to reduce the need for possible layoffs, it said in a statement on Friday.

“We are mindful of the potential impacts of budget constraints on our civilian force and their families, which is why we are seeking to reduce the need for involuntary measures,” Lt. Gen. Darrell Jones, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, wrote from the Pentagon.

“Officials project that all major commands, direct reporting units and field operation agencies will be affected by these actions,” the Air Force said.

The Air Force Materiel Command this year surveyed civilian employees at its 10 bases nationwide, including Wright-Patterson, to determine how many would be eligible for, and interested in, applying for early retirement or voluntary separation from their jobs. The command, based at Wright-Patterson, had a nationwide work force of 84,221 people in April, including 64,816 civilian employees.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.