(F-16 Photo by David Dykes)
By David Dykes
Lockheed Martin said it is reducing the size of its Greenville, South Carolina, workforce by about 10 percent as a result of the U.S. Air Force’s decision not to extend the F-16’s depot sustainment contract with the company.
In a statement, a company spokesperson said, “As a result of the Air Force’s decision not to extend the F-16 CONUS (Continental United States) Depot contract, and to meet our customers’ needs for affordability in a cost-competitive environment, we made the difficult decision to conduct a limited reduction in force at our Greenville site. This decision was made with a great deal of consideration and careful evaluation, and we’re committed to supporting affected employees with outplacement services and career counseling.”
Several hundred employees have worked at the Greenville site, but it wasn’t known exactly how many would be affected.
According to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the Air Force’s F-16 System Program Office within the Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate in 2020 awarded a $900 million F-16 CONUS Depot contract to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
Officials said Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, with 12 dock spaces in its Lockheed Martin Greenville Operations facility in Greenville, South Carolina, would provide depot level maintenance and modernization support, establishing the first U.S. based F-16 industry depot to support government-owned depot facilities.
At the time, F-16s made up the largest fleet of fighters in the Air Force, approximately 45 percent of the fleet.
Officials said several funded modernization and structural programs would significantly increase the depot level workload in coming years as the priority was to effectively operate the F-16 for decades to come.
The contract included depot-level maintenance activities, predefined programmatic work, aircraft modification and unplanned drop-in maintenance.
Officials said that as the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s Original Equipment Manufacturer, Lockheed Martin was uniquely positioned to provide the most comprehensive knowledge of the aircraft and tailored sustainment solutions to optimize the F-16 fleet for greater capability, readiness and performance.
Officials said the F-16 Fighting Falcon offers advanced interoperable capabilities that enhance partnerships with allies across the world.
It has been proving its effectiveness for decades and continues to remain the best value among 4th generation jets for its capabilities and affordable lifecycle costs, the officials said.
“Lockheed Martin’s Greenville facility remains a cornerstone of South Carolina’s defense industry and a critical asset to our national security,” said U.S. Rep. William Timmons, R-SC. “While the Air Force’s decision not to extend a specific contract will result in a workforce adjustment, the long-term outlook for this site is strong.”
He added, “With over 100 next generation F-16s currently in the production backlog for U.S. allies and continued global demand, Greenville is well-positioned for future growth. Lockheed Martin has reaffirmed its commitment to the region, and I will continue working with them and local leaders to ensure the Upstate remains a leader in defense innovation and job creation.”
?Lockheed Martin's Greenville site is the home of the F-16 Fighting Falcon production line and provides nose-to-tail aircraft modification, maintenance, repair and overhaul services for both military and civil aircraft.
Since opening its doors in 1984, the company has provided sustainment services to thousands of aircraft, including the C-130, P-3, KC-10, and C-9.