With plenty of pomp and circumstance, Lockheed Martin presented an F-35A Lightning II jet to Polish leaders on Wednesday.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics President Greg Ulmer said it's Poland's first F-35 and the first of 32 different aircraft Lockheed will send to the European nation.
The ceremony was scheduled to land on Poland's National Aviation Day.
American and Polish governments and military leaders said the F-35 would strengthen not only the Polish military and border security but also the countries' relationship at a time when equipment and allies were needed to fight Russia's campaign in the region.
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Poland borders Ukraine, and security concerns are high right now. On Wednesday, Poland's prime minister announced an increased defense budget for next year.
“Poland is at the heart of the global response to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The Polish people have stepped up in remarkable ways to help their neighbors," said Mark Brzezinski, U.S. Ambassador to Poland, during Wednesday's ceremony.
According to Ulmer, the jet presented won't make it to Poland for another couple of years. Polish pilots will train on it in Arkansas until then.
Even when flying the Polish skies, the fighter jets will still be connected to their native Fort Worth.
"The production line is here for the F-35, all of the sustainment support, all of the engineering support, all of the production support based right here," Ulmer said.
He said the company is one of the city's largest employers, with 18,000 workers. Ulmer added that the company also contributes nearly $9 billion to the state each year.
“I can’t remember a time when planes weren’t flying around here," said U.S. Congressman Mark Veasey, D-Fort Worth.
Veasey grew up near the Lockheed plant and said he's seen periods of layoffs. Now, he said, is a time of growth that he hopes Fort Worth and Tarrant County can take advantage of.
“We want to make sure we’re doing everything that we can with our education system to make sure that we have homegrown talent that can work here," he said. “We have to keep up. We need to make sure that our local school systems are meeting with demand."
