BETHPAGE, N.Y., July 28, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the sound of Grucci fireworks bursting overhead in the evening sky and in front of a capacity crowd of 6,537, Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) paid tribute to America's troops as part of its sponsorship of the Long Island Ducks Military Appreciation Night at Bethpage Ballpark.

From left, combat veteran and Northrop Grumman employee Joe Fleming; Marine Corps Recruiting Office Staff Sgt. Steven Leferve; Buddy Harrelson, first base coach and senior vice president of baseball operations, Long Island Ducks; and Pat McMahon, sector vice president and division general manager, Battle Management and Engagement Systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems; gather before the Northrop Grumman-sponsored Military Appreciation Night at Bethpage Ballpark.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=10065

"Our local military families enjoyed a fun night out with the team and hundreds of our employees and their families. This is the second year that we have worked with the Long Island Ducks organization and we are honored to support the men and women who serve our great nation," said Pat McMahon, sector vice president and division general manager, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems' Battle Management and Engagement Systems.

Leading off the event was the ceremonial first pitch thrown by members of the military representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. In addition, Northrop Grumman employee and Operation Iraqi Freedom combat veteran Joe Fleming also threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the company.

"It was a dream of a lifetime to stand there on the mound and throw the ball," Fleming said. "I couldn't have imagined that 18 months ago when I got back from combat operations that I'd now be working for Northrop Grumman. It's a great company and everyone has made my transition from the military so much easier. Plus, there are a lot of former service members here I can rely on."

Sponsorship of the Long Island Ducks, an independent professional baseball team, is just one of the many military-focused activities conducted by the company. On Long Island, the company also sponsors military appreciation night at the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League and regularly conducts USO Operation Care package stuffing parties and other fundraising activities for the troops. Northrop Grumman is a national sponsor of the USO, including its Military Bowl.

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: Dianne Baumert-Moyik
         (516) 346-2142
         dianne.baumert-moyik@ngc.com