by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Defense industry giant Lockheed Martin is the first known company with plans to locate a facility in Fort Smith to support the foreign pilot training center being established at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

The Bethesda, Md.-based company has scheduled a “recruiting event” between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., April 16, at the Wyndham Fort Smith City Center in downtown Fort Smith. According to information from Lockheed, Keith Petrosky, director of Talent Acquisition with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, will host the event.

According to Lockheed, the planned support site will employ up to 90 in jobs that include aircraft and support systems, information tech, quality and safety support, and F-35 maintenance. The company manufactures the F-35 advanced fighter jet.

Lockheed Martin plans to open facility in Fort Smith, employ up to 90