HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) today celebrates 50 years in Alabama, where employees play a vital role in building and sustaining the United States' space and defense programs.

The largest aerospace company in the state of Alabama, Boeing maintains its Strategic Missile & Defense Systems headquarters in Huntsville, as well as its largest program, Ground-based Midcourse Defense. Huntsville also hosts Boeing Exploration Launch Systems, which oversees the Space Launch System – NASA's new heavy-lift launch vehicle – and support to the International Space Station.

"Alabama and the Tennessee Valley region are rich in resources that have helped to make Boeing successful here – an excellent work ethic, innovative and talented people, and valued community partners," said Tony Jones, Boeing vice president and Huntsville site leader. "We are very proud, but not surprised, to have achieved this significant milestone.

"This community has been instrumental in creating an environment that is good for business, good for the customers here and good for Boeing," Jones continued. "We're thankful that Boeing and Alabama have been a great team for many years, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship."

Throughout Boeing's 50 years of operation in Alabama, local employees have built a reputation for innovation and engineering excellence in space technology, systems engineering, and missile defense. Boeing engineers have achieved significant technology advances with programs such as the Saturn S-1C booster rocket that delivered astronauts to the moon; the Lunar Roving Vehicle that allowed human exploration of the moon's surface; the Skylab Orbital Workshop; and the crew habitat for the International Space Station.

The on-site celebration begins today at 10 a.m. Central time with a proclamation from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle declaring this week to be Boeing Employee Week.

"Boeing has made a significant difference in our communities in its 50 years doing business here," said Battle. "Their commitment has attracted new business to foster economic development, funded our schools, strengthened our arts and civic life, and led the way in important new areas, like environmental sustainability and conservation. We're looking forward to another 50 years of partnership with The Boeing Company."

Current company operations in Huntsville include support to the Standard Missile-3 Block IIB program, the Arrow Weapon System, the Avenger air defense system, and the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 seeker. The site also hosts Boeing's Rotorcraft Support business, and provides engineering support for commercial and commercial-derivative airplanes. With innovative and affordable capabilities to support the customer, Boeing in Huntsville is a low-cost, high-tech center of excellence.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 62,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:    

Scott Day
Strategic Missile & Defense Systems
Mobile: 703-403-3083
scott.day2@boeing.com

Patricia Soloveichik
Space Exploration
Mobile: 256-476-6046
patricia.a.soloveichik@boeing.com

SOURCE Boeing Defense, Space & Security