The C-130 Carried Me to Safety

Years later, I work for the company that built it

by Tuyet-Hanh S.

I was born in Saigon, Vietnam. In April of 1975, just two weeks before the fall of Saigon, my mom, my brother and I boarded a C-130 airplane from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to leave the only home I had ever known. My dad was already in the United State at Ft. Monmouth in New Jersey. I was seven-years-old. Little did I know that years later, I would be working for the same company that built the plane that brought me to safety.

Coming Full Circle!

A Passion for Space

It was handed down by my father

by Warren R.

A passion for space runs in my blood. My father (Bob) began his career as a “rocket scientist” with AC Sparkplug Company in Wisconsin, where he was assigned to program the simulation of the Titan two-stage missile, using a pair of IBM 650s. It turned out that the IBM 650s were way too puny, so he every Monday to Detroit, GM's Tech Center, where the “large-scale” IBM 704 was available. They likewise were way too slow, but it was what was available, so he worked nearly non-stop, round the clock for months, having food brought in, sleeping on the floor or on desks, going to a motel every third day for a shower if he was lucky. But Sputnik went overhead, he and his equally young team saw it and were energized by it. And during this effort, the Butterfly Effect was “discovered”–not that they knew it. Programming changes made in binary (imagine!) caused an error in the last place of a constant, and in the hypersensitive equations, this caused a targeting error of over two miles and a nightmarish debugging effort, ultimately resolved.

More than five decades later, I have a fantastic career in the space business. I’ve had the privilege of working on software for the Titan 34D, Titan IV and Atlas rockets, the Centaur upperstage, numerous spacecraft including Mars probes and landers, Stardust, Genesis, multiple classified programs and SBIRS  The challenges have been great and the programs exciting, with more to come! 

I have a fantastic career!

Truly Inspirational: F-22 and F-35

Vast talent, resources and innovative solutions move mountains

by Adrian E.

The highlight of my career so far has been the first flights of the F-22 and F-35 programs. I was blessed to be a part of both programs from the beginning of the development phase to first flight. The focus and energy level of the team on each program in the months leading up to first flight was truly inspirational. The level of teamwork and cooperation during these times was unlike any other time in my career. During these days, the team was completely focused on the end goal and priorities were crystal clear to everyone. Trivial issues weren’t a factor and cooperation abound. Many couldn’t wait to get here in the morning and found it hard to leave in the evening. When the actual first flight day finally arrived, there was much anticipation and anxiety but the feeling quickly turned into euphoria once the aircraft lifted off the runway. I am very proud to work for Lockheed Martin and proud of the important work we do and the products we produce. I am convinced that we can do anything we set our minds to because of our vast talent, resources and innovative solutions. I am very grateful to have had assignments that I enjoyed while at the same time providing for my family. I feel very fortunate to be a small part of our rich heritage and am doing my part to leave the company better than I found it for my colleagues of the future.

Integrity Matters

Going on 14 years of service

by Jerry T.

I’ve been part of Lockheed Martin, going on 14 years of service. I’ve received 15 recognition rewards for my commitment to our customer and company, delivering many mission systems on schedule and budget, with the utmost quality. Team-focused, supporting various Lockheed Martin organizations and associates, meeting critical field deployments. Integrity matters!

The Foundation of a Love for Airplanes

Thank you, Lockheed Martin

by Dennis M.

I can remember as if it were it was just yesterday, my dad was bringing me out to the plant in Marietta for all of the Christmas festivities and free toys. Occasional "open houses" were always events to look forward to in our community to see what was going on at as my dad put it, "the bomber plant." This, coupled with almost daily C-5s screaming across the skies with their signature sound above my house, laid the foundation for my love for airplanes. What a treat to go to the local drugstore and buy a model airplane as a kid to build what had been built and flown less than five miles away. Some 45 years later, coupled with 28 years of seniority at Air Force Plant #6, I have come to call this place my home and career. Untold priceless relationships have been made, as well as monetary compensation to live a comfortable life putting two daughters through college. Sure, it's had some good times and sad ones as well, but I would have to say "if it all ended today, it has been a good ride and I am thankful for the opportunities presented me," not to mention my love for aircraft and knowledge gleaned has expanded greatly. Thank you, Lockheed Martin.

Listen – Think – Deliver Trust

Proud my work directly impacts our customer’s satisfaction

by Joan C.

Lockheed Martin has supported the Social Security Administration for 22 years.

In 2002, an SSA Branch Chief was unhappy because we were behind in schedule and there was a challenging personality conflict with our head programmer/lead. I was delighted to have the opportunity to restore trust. I listened, took notes and took action with our team to develop programming documentation on three different systems and we turned around a less-than-desirable situation and delivered everything on time after nine months.

I'm glad to be one part of the Lockheed Martin team, especially whenever I know my work directly impacts our customer's satisfaction.

Simple, Humble Work Grew to Impact the World

Lockheed Martin innovation changed how people live today

by Bill S.

I am blessed to have been involved in a number of innovative developments that changed the world and how people live today. I worked on the development of the Trident submarine's integrated radio room, which was the first fully automated communications suite for a Navy platform. Then, I worked on the development of a prototype three satellite positioning system called GPS. It was designed to aid Navy ships and Marine units to accurately position themselves. I also worked on the initial development and testing of a four node system known as ARPANET to help the Navy lower the impact of stored documentation on ships. I worked closely with the newly formed IP and the TCP Committees, which were later combined into the IP/TCP Committee to establish a connected system that could utilize the newly established HTML technology to share documents and manuals. 

Additionally, I attended conference calls with Stanford Research Incorporated personnel, which included Mrs. Cisco, working on routing technology. Later, I led a development team that produced the Operations Support System which Admiral Tuttle selected as his core for his new Navy Command and Control system to be renamed GCCS-M. In every case, it was demanding, challenging, innovative and leading-edge technology work that was initially designed for very limited and selective use. We had no idea how much our simple and humble work would grow, expand and impact the world and how it operates seamlessly and so importantly with people all over the world every day.