AAR to Expand Afghanistan Airlift Support for USTRANSCOM

July 8, 2010
AAR will transport passengers and cargo for U.S. and Coalition forces.

WOOD DALE, Ill., July 8. AAR announced today that it has been selected by the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) to provide airlift support services in Afghanistan. The new Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) contract has a duration of one-year with four one-year renewal options and is valued at $24 million per year.

Under the new multi-year contract, AAR will transport passengers and cargo for U.S. and Coalition forces using three Dash 8 aircraft that are being leased for the duration of the contract term. AAR, through its recently acquired Aviation Worldwide Services operating unit, currently supports three other Department of Defense contracts in Afghanistan using 12 fixed-wing and 19 rotary-wing aircraft.

"This new program expands AWS's established logistic footprint and extends our support as part of TRANSCOM's tactical airlift capability," said Randy Martinez, Group Vice President of AAR's Government and Defense Services segment. "Since acquiring AWS in April, we've made excellent progress integrating the business, which is very well positioned to provide expeditionary airlift services for our nation and its allies."

AAR is a leading provider of value-added products and services to the worldwide aerospace and government/defense industries. With facilities and sales locations around the world, AAR uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve aviation and government/defense customers through three operating segments: Aviation Supply Chain; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul; and Structures and Systems. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.