Melbourne Rally To Save Aerospace and Defense Jobs

MELBOURNE, Florida - AAR and the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, in conjunction with the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), will hold a 'Second to None Community Rally' on June 25, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the AAR Airlift Hangar 15, 1383 General Aviation Drive in Melbourne, Florida, to raise awareness of the critical contribution of the aerospace and defense industry to the U.S. economy and to our national security. 

The rally will be a community-wide event comprised of workers from aerospace and defense businesses from the Space Coast and leaders from the state and local communities.

Beginning in 2012, the Defense Department will absorb $487 billion in reductions over the next decade.  In accordance with the 2011 Budget Control Act, another $500 billion cut will be imposed over the same timeframe unless a legislative remedy is put in place. 

Additionally, sequestration will delay the Next Generation Air Transportation System and stall U.S. efforts to develop space programs in the wake of the shuttle program's retirement. 

Local leaders such as Representative Bill Posey (R-FL 15), David P. Storch, Chairman and CEO of AAR CORP,  Marion C. Blakey, President and CEO of AIA, and Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO, EDC of Florida's Space Coast, will stand together to urge Congress to act quickly to find an alternative to sequestration.