NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Air Force said Monday it will eliminate nearly 3,500 positions over the next five years, with Virginia being harder hit than any other state.

The military branch released its plans to save $1.6 billion under a Defense Department directive to slash its costs and staff by at least 20 percent. The plan calls for significant reductions at major Air Force commands around the country, including 742 positions at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The installation is home to Air Combat Command, which oversees fighter jets, among other things.

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