L3 Doss Aviation will be adding 60 additional employees to its Initial Flight Training program at Pueblo Memorial Airport as part of a $2.9 million contribution from the city of Pueblo.

The expansion agreement was announced Tuesday and follows the Air Force's decision last January to give L3 Doss a 10-year extension on its military flight training program.

Paul Walker, flight training program manager, said the city's support, through the Pueblo Economic Development Corp., was a key part of L3 Doss's proposal to win the contract renewal last year.

"We've relied on our great relationship with Pueblo for the past decade," he said at the job announcement Tuesday.

Previously known as Doss Aviation, the training company was purchased by L3 Technologies, a Texas-based aerospace and communications firm in September. That changed the company's name to L3 Doss Aviation.

Walker said the $2.9 million is part of a $7 million capital improvement plan at the flight-training facility. A new observation tower is being built, additional security is being added and all the training planes are getting improved avionics.

PEDCO President Jeff Shaw said the additional 60 employees will bring the number of L3 Doss civilians employees to 192. The company has until 2020 to meet that expansion goal or it would have to begin refunding the city contribution.

The 10-year Air Force training contract is valued at roughly $290 million. The facility is the doorway to Air Force aviation, giving all pilots, navigators and remotely controlled vehicle pilots their initial training before they move on to more advanced schools.

Since the Air Force started the program, L3 Doss has trained over 12,000 U.S. military pilots

The L3 Doss facility is an Air Force base within a building, with a dormitory, classroom building and has other support services for the young military flyers who take part in its training program.

City Council was expected to approve the $2.9 million expenditure Tuesday night from the city's half-cent sales tax for job recruitment.

L3 Doss was among a list of four flight-training companies and cities that were competing for the Air Force contract last year.

proper@chieftain.com