WOOD DALE, Ill., June 29 (UPI) -- AAR Corp. of Illinois, a commercial airlift provider, will provide airlift support in Afghanistan to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The company said the new task order from the U.S. Transportation Command has an initial phase that runs to May of 2012, as well as three one-year extension options.
The value of the order is $240 million, it said. A total of $49 million is allocated for the base period.
The task order calls for the renewal of 10 fixed-wing aircraft that the company currently operates in the region and the addition of two aircraft to enter into service Oct. 1. On Friday, USTRANSCOM issued an announcement that included funding for the initial base period of approximately $49 million for the 12 aircraft.
"This award reflects the U.S. Transportation Command's confidence in AAR's transportation and logistics capabilities and we are extremely proud to help mobilize and support operations in a variety of austere and challenging environments," said David P. Storch, chairman and chief executive officer of AAR Corp.
AAR's Airlift Group provides expeditionary airlift services and performs specialized aircraft modifications in support of national defense, security and humanitarian relief operations. Under current contracts, it provides airlift for the Department of Defense in three regions around the world, using both fixed-wing aircraft and rotary-wing aircraft to transport personnel, supplies and mail.
