Aerospace & Defense

A burgeoning region within the aerospace corridor, Southeast Mississippi offers a highly skilled workforce and strategic location benefits for aerospace and defense companies. Take a look at the reasons why the region is positioned to bring your company to the next level.

Our network of community colleges offers cutting-edge training opportunities for the aerospace and defense sectors through the following skill set areas:

  • Electronics
  • Welding and Cutting
  • Precision Manufacturing
  • Machining
  • Aviation Structures Mechanic
  • Mechanical Maintenance
  • Instrumentation and Controls Technology
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems

Other industry advantages include:

  • Through successful public-private partnerships, aerospace companies find the desired skillsets needed to keep them competitive. 
  • The Gulf Coast region in Mississippi has one of the greatest concentrations of avionics and aircraft maintenance personnel in the United States when compared to all mid-size metropolitan markets. 
  • Unmanned aerial systems can take advantage of strategic partnerships in flight research and development along with training programs to support this growing industry. 
  • Southeast Mississippi is home to Keesler Air Force Base, the Naval Construction Battalion Center, the Army's Camp Shelby and Meridian Naval Air Station. 
  • Stennis Space Center is America's largest engine test complex where NASA tests next generation rockets for space exploration. 
  • Mississippi is represented by an experienced and supportive congressional delegation that understands the unique needs of the aerospace industry.
  • Special incentives are available for companies that manufacture or assemble components for the aerospace industry.


Learn more about Mississippi's aerospace and defense industries