(WBAP/KLIF) — The White Settlement Police Department unveiled a commemorative police badge and coin, Wednesday, highlighting the 80-year partnership between the community, Lockheed-Martin, and the U.S. Air Force.
In 1942, the first B-24 Liberator bomber rolled off the assembly line in White Settlement. Since that time, members of the community have worked at Lockheed-Martin to produce aircraft like the F-16 Falcon and the F-35 Strike Fighter. White Settlement Police Chief Chris Cook says his department has made an effort to honor that history with the new badge and coin.
Lockheed-Martin’s Ken Ross praised the important role White Settlement residents have played in delivering aircraft. Cook says the commemorative badge can be worn by officers to honor this milestone through April of 2023.
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WHITE SETTLEMENT NEWS RELEASE
The White Settlement Police Department, in coordination with the United States Air Force, United States Navy, and Lockheed Martin Corporation, commissioned a commemorative police badge and coin set to highlight the 80 years of partnership between the City of White Settlement and Air Force Plant #4 as it relates to military aircraft production. The new badges can be worn by police officers commemorating this special milestone of aviation history.
Air Force Plant #4 is a U.S. government-owned and contractor-operated defense manufacturing facility, with the City of White Settlement being the gateway to national defense projects. The plant shares access to the runways and support facilities at the Naval Air Station – Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, formerly Carswell Air Force Base. Construction of Air Force Plant #4 began in 1941, and the first B-24 Liberator Bomber rolled off the production line less than a year later in 1942, built by Consolidated Aircraft Company (later Convair).
Over 3,000 B-24s were constructed locally in North Texas to support World War II. The City of White Settlement became known as “Liberator Village” due to the government housing units spread across the city. The B-24 Liberator holds the record as the world’s most produced heavy bomber, with more than 18,500 planes built across the country.
In 1953, General Dynamics took over operation of the facility where a variety of aircraft were produced over the years, including the F-16 Fighting Falcon, one of the most formidable military fighters in the world and still in operation today. In 1992, Lockheed Corporation (which became Lockheed Martin in 1995) assumed operations of the plant where F-16s and center fuselages for the F-22 Raptors were produced. Today, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is being produced on the assembly line as the world’s most advanced stealth strike fighter. Protecting and securing our future as a national defense contractor, Lockheed Martin is a vital partner to the North Texas region and United States.
The special commemorative badge contains the following elements to celebrate 80 years of aircraft innovation and American ingenuity in developing the most advanced weapon systems in the world:
- B-24 Liberator
- F-16 Fighting Falcon
- F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
- 1942-2022 Aircraft Manufacturing
- United States Air Force Plant #4
The coin also highlights the partnership with Naval Air Station – Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and our military community.
City of White Settlement Mayor Ronald A. White said, “As I hear the sounds of freedom buzzing overhead in our city, I know firsthand how important Lockheed Martin and Air Force Plant #4 are for our country and the freedoms we stand for. This commemorative badge and coin highlights how much our hometown cares for the outstanding work that is being done at the facility.”
“Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is a vital partner for our community with billions of dollars of positive economic impact to North Texas,” said White Settlement City Manager Jeffrey James. “With the more than 18,000 employees that either live or pass through our community, we have the deepest respect and admiration for the work they do to protect our national interests while preserving our freedom.”
“I want to recognize the incredible partnership that we have with Lockheed Martin, their force protection team, and employees that protect our democracy through defense production of military assets,” said Chief of Police Christopher Cook. “This new badge will be worn with the utmost distinction, reverence, and honor of our defense contractor community.”
