PASCAGOULA, Miss., July 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been recognized by the American Heart Association for going above and beyond when it comes to employees’ health. Ingalls maintained the association’s Fit-Friendly Worksite status for the third consecutive year and the Platinum Fit-Friendly status for the second consecutive year.

“The American Heart Association is proud of the work of Ingalls Shipbuilding and is pleased to recognize Ingalls as a Fit-Friendly Worksite again this year,” said Christin LeBoeuf, vice president of development for the American Heart Association’s Greater Southeast Affiliate. “We enjoy working hand-in-hand with Ingalls as we improve the health of their number one asset: their dedicated employees. Our partnership is improving the health of our community each day.”

Ingalls is one of 21 Fit-Friendly Worksites in Mississippi and one of only three Platinum Fit-Friendly Worksites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Ingalls received the American Heart Association’s Community Innovation recognition for a number of initiatives, including opening the HII Family Health Center in Gautier and creating coloring books focused on healthy lifestyles. The books were distributed to children in the Jackson County area. Ingalls is one of only 48 companies nationwide to receive the Community Innovation recognition.

“We are very proud of the work we do here at Ingalls to promote healthier lifestyles and wellness of not just our employees, but their families,” said Edmond Hughes, Ingalls’ vice president of human resources and administration. “From our ‘Couch to 5K’ race, racquetball tournaments at the fitness center, tobacco-cessation initiatives and the opening of a new, affordable Family Health Center, Ingalls has proven its commitment to healthy living.”

About Huntington Ingalls Industries

Huntington Ingalls Industries is America’s largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of engineering, manufacturing and management services to the nuclear energy, oil and gas markets. For more than a century, HII’s Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs approximately 38,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit: