MCLEAN, Va., March 17, 2011 -- This week Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) joined representatives from area companies and U.S. government agencies to discuss the benefits and strategies for employing wounded warriors entering the workforce at a one-day Network of Champions conference here.

The catalyst for the event was Operation IMPACT (Injured Military Pursuing Assisted Career Transition), a Northrop Grumman initiative started in 2004 and designed to provide career transition support to military service members who have been severely injured in the global war on terror and their families. The "Network of Champions" is composed of over 60 companies that share the same commitment to accommodate wounded warriors in the workplace.

More than 100 company and government representatives attended workshops and shared industry best practices and success stories for transitioning service members from military to civilian careers. Maj. Gen. James O. Barclay III, U.S. Army, presented the keynote address on the importance of supporting veterans returning to civilian life. Tom Vice, corporate vice president and president Northrop Grumman Technical Services sector, provided closing remarks.

"When you put a group of people together like the Network of Champions, to do what you are working together to do, you are providing a great service to our nation," said Barclay. "I applaud you for what you are doing; I thank you for what you are doing, and have done, and will continue to do."

Representatives from Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Job Accommodations Network, and many area companies participated in workshops and panel discussions to share strategies to locate, engage and hire wounded warriors. This was the second annual event the group has hosted to help companies start and manage wounded warrior hiring initiatives, to provide guidance and connect companies with resources and contacts within the U.S. government.

"We consider Operation IMPACT part of the fundamental commitment we have, as a responsible corporate citizen, to improve lives and do what's right by our nation's heroes," said Vice. "We seek to hire the sharpest minds but also those with strong principles, people who thrive in diverse environments, excel at collaboration, are creative, resourceful, possess abundant character, and have high principles and integrity. These are just a few benefits I see in hiring wounded warriors."

Operated independently of the company's standard recruitment process, the award-winning Operation IMPACT program is committed to assisting severely wounded service members and their families find career opportunities.

To date, a total of 85 severely wounded warriors and/or their primary wage earner have been hired by Northrop Grumman and almost a dozen additional wounded veterans have been hired through the Network of Champions program.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information. 

  CONTACT: Margaret Mitchell-Jones
         Northrop Grumman Corporate
         (703) 875-8330
         m.mitchell-jones@ngc.com