Sikorsky servicing Colombian helicopters

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SHELTON, Conn., April 14 (UPI) -- The Colombian army's UH-60 Black Hawk fleet will be maintained in-country by Sikorsky Aerospace Services, the Connecticut company announced.

Under the annually renewable contract, 21 Sikorsky-trained technicians will perform Phase Maintenance Inspections and 120-hour inspections at the Aviation Maintenance Base in Tolemaida to help ensure fleet mission readiness for combat operations, Sikorsky said.

"With the third-largest fleet of Black Hawk helicopters in the world, Colombia is an anchor customer in Latin America," said David Adler, president of Sikorsky Aerospace Services. "Our in-country line maintenance support will enhance the operational readiness of the Colombian armed services.

"The SAS maintenance team, along with the development of an S-70 BLACK HAWK Helicopter Training Facility at the Colombian Air Force Base in Melgar, represents our significant commitment to customers in the region.

"We look forward to broadening SAS support to other military markets in Latin America," he said.

Colombia's UH-60L fleet carries out aerial support on air assault, reconnaissance, supply and other missions.