OAK HARBOR, Wash., July 29, 2011 -- As the U.S. Navy commemorates its Centennial of Naval Aviation throughout the year, the community is invited to share in a local celebration being held at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., July 30, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is a major sponsor of the event.

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the EA-6B aircraft and the principal subcontractor and AEA subsystem integrator for the EA-18G. Both aircraft were developed for the Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps to enable warfighters to perform an array of AEA missions operating from either aircraft carriers or land-based fields to detect, identify, locate and suppress hostile electronic emitters. The EA-6B has served the naval forces for more than 40 years and is being replaced by the EA-18G over the next few years. Marine Corps aviators continue to fly the Prowlers.

Vintage and present day aircraft will be on static display, ranging from the Grumman F7F Tigercat and Grumman F8F Bearcat built for the Navy in the 1940s, to the EA-18G Growler and F/A-18C Hornet, currently operated by the Navy. Throughout the day, "Tales of Naval Aviation" will provide a unique insight into events that have shaped naval aviation history over the years. Speakers include author Stephen Coonts and retired Vice Adm. Jim Zortman, sector vice president and site executive for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in San Diego.

In honor of the Centennial of Naval Aviation this year and Northrop Grumman's 80 years of supporting naval aviation, attendees are invited to stop by the Northrop Grumman booth in Hangar One and pick up a free commemorative deck of playing cards while supplies last.

For more information about related events, please visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Whidbey/About/History/CONA/index.htm . For more information about Northrop Grumman's role in the Centennial of Naval Aviation, please visit www.northropgrumman.com/naval100 .

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. 

  CONTACT: Kirsti Dunn
         (301) 373-2388, x2722
         Kirsti.dunn@ngc.com