Northrop Grumman Volunteers in Colorado Springs Assemble 12,000 USO Care Packages for U.S. Armed Forces

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 12, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation NOC employees from around Colorado teamed with members from the United Services Organization (USO) to provide 12,000 care packages for deploying service men and women at the company's Colorado Springs facility.

On July 30, approximately 250 employees from the company's Colorado Springs, Boulder and Aurora, Colo., locations volunteered at an Operation USO Care Package Stuffing Party to assemble deployment packages that will be used by service members in duty locations around the world.

"Northrop Grumman and its employees are proud to work with the USO to support our men and women in uniform," said Russ Anarde, Northrop Grumman's corporate lead executive in Colorado. "By helping to put together these care packages, we are giving something back to those brave individuals who keep us safe every day."

Each package that was assembled contained personal items such as prepaid phone cards, chewing gum, snacks and disposable razors, among other goods. The items are in portable packs that will be shipped and distributed to those being deployed throughout the United States and overseas.

Northrop Grumman has more than 2,400 employees working statewide in Colorado. The cities of Colorado Springs and of Boulder recently recognized the company for its role in national security and contributions to the state's economy through its service to the military.

Northrop Grumman is a strong supporter of the USO. The company contributed to the start-up of the Operation USO Care Package program in 2003 through financial donations and has participated in stuffing parties since then. The Northrop Grumman Foundation is donating $5 million as the lead donor for the new Wounded Warrior and Family Center on the grounds of Fort Belvoir in Virginia. This is the largest single gift to the USO in the 70-year history of the organization.

Since 2010, Northrop Grumman has also been the title sponsor for a post-season college football game, the Military Bowl, benefitting the USO. This year's game is expected to feature the Navy Midshipmen against an Atlantic Coast Conference team and will be held on Dec. 28, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. ET at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The Military Bowl seeks to generate broad support for the USO and honor the U.S. military and their families.

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform. The USO currently operates more than 160 locations worldwide, including 13 mobile canteens located in the continental United States and overseas.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.