LOCKHEED MARTIN TO CREATE MORE JOBS FOR THE F-35 PROGRAM NEAR EGLIN AFB

More good news on job creation in the local area. As the F-35 Training Squadron continues to ramp up their training program on Eglin, the supporting cast of defense contractors surrounding the area will begin to expand their support for the program. With a facility costing a couple of hundred million dollars almost completed, you will begin to see a program have the same affect the 7th Special Forces Group, if not more in the upcoming months and years. This program will not only make an impact on the local area, it will also bring a lot of attention from the international community, since approximately 12 other countries will have their pilots trained on the Fifth Generation Fighter.

Lockheed Martin wants to hire 91 locally
By DUSTY RICKETTS
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4448 dricketts@nwfdailynews.com  
FORT WALTON BEACH — Lockheed Martin is preparing to expand its operations at Eglin Air Force Base to prepare for the incoming F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and is looking for employees to meet the demand. Lockheed Martin is teaming up with JobsPlus One-Stop Career Center for a series of job fairs later this week. Lockheed Martin is looking to hire 91 full-time employees in a number of technical positions. “They’re ideally looking for someone who has experience with what they’re calling fourth- or fifthgeneration fighters — that’s F-15s, which is our folks here who used to be in the 33rd Fighter Wing,” said Don Holloway, veteran employment representative at JobsPlus. “Looking back at the data over the last few years, about the time we had the economic downturn and the 33rd Fighter Wing moved out, about 40 percent of the aircraft mechanics in this area lost their job,” Holloway said. “So this takes a big chunk out of that. We’re just overjoyed about it.” The job fair is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday at JobsPlus at 409 Racetrack Road N.E. in Fort Walton Beach. Representatives from Lockheed did not return messages seeking comment on this story. Those who attend the job fair will be able to speak with Lockheed’s hiring managers. Job seekers are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their résumé and be able to start work no later than May 31. All positions will require military clearance. Lockheed Martin has not released salary information for any of the positions yet. According to the Florida Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for similar jobs in this area ranges from about $38,000 to $54,000 a year. Holloway said he expects the Lockheed jobs to pay more than the area average. “All of these people are going to start by the first of June,” Holloway said. “That’s just such good news for our local economy.” For more information and a full list of all positions currently available, go to www.lockheedmartin.com/careers  .