Atlas continues Air Force One training

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PURCHASE, N.Y., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Air crews of Air Force One, the plane that flies the president of the United States, are to continue to receive training from Atlas Air Inc.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc., the company's parent organization, said training would consist of ground and flight simulator instruction on a modified version of the Boeing 747-200 used to transport the president.

The contract's period of performance is five years. It is a fixed-price award but no monetary value was disclosed.

"We are extremely honored to have been selected to provide training for the pilots and crews of Air Force One and the Presidential Airlift Group," said William J. Flynn, president and chief executive officer of Atlas Air Worldwide. "The Air Force's exacting demands for professionalism, efficiency and security make this contract award even more meaningful.

"Atlas Air's experience operating the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747 Freighters to over 90 countries allows us to provide up-to-date training for these highly experienced crews. Our own Atlas pilots, who receive the same training at our Miami training center, support the Department of Defense's Civil Reserve Air Fleet cargo and passenger requirements."

Atlas Air Inc. has provided training to Air Force One crews since 2007.