AAR Airlift Crew Members Recognized for Extraordinary Actions in Afghanistan
January 20, 2014
Helicopter Association International (HAI) will honor six-member crew for exceptional aircraft maintenance achievement
PALM BAY, Florida — An AAR Airlift helicopter team working in Afghanistan in support of U.S. troops is being recognized for its extraordinary actions in an active combat zone there last summer. The crew, who performed an emergency engine replacement at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in record time during a resupply mission to U.S. forces in Afghanistan, will be receiving the Helicopter Association International’s (HAI) prestigious Excellence in Helicopter Maintenance Award next month at Heli-Expo 2014 in Anaheim, California.
The largest commercial provider of airlift services to the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan, AAR’s operations span numerous FOB’s throughout the country. Upon experiencing an engine failure, the crew performed an emergency landing and radioed for assistance from a second AAR Airlift crew. The second crew departed for the remote location carrying a spare engine and additional maintenance personnel. The two crews worked together to conduct the complete engine replacement and returned safely to the base. The entire operation was conducted in record time of less than four hours.
“What this group of AAR maintenance personnel and crew members accomplished under such harsh conditions is remarkable,” said Randy Martinez, President and CEO, AAR Airlift Group. “This team’s exceptional work demonstrated the highest level of professionalism, and set a standard of which AAR is very proud.”
The AAR Airlift team being honored at the HAI annual Salute to Excellence awards ceremony February 26 consists of: Stephen Fiduk, Pilot in Command; Gabriel Meza, Crew Chief, Robert Layne Murphy, Second in Command, Alan Nowak, Maintenance Manager; Nathan Raught, Crew Chief, and Joshua Ricciardi, Maintenance Supervisor.
AAR provides expeditionary airlift services in support of contingency operations worldwide. The Company operates a fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft transporting personnel, supplies, and mail for the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan and the Western Pacific.
Helicopter Association International (HAI) provides support and services to the international helicopter community. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, HAI members safely fly more than 5,000 helicopters and some 2.3 million hours each year.
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About AAR
AAR is a global aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial aviation and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR’s Aviation Services include inventory management; parts supply; OEM parts distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; engineering services and component repair. AAR’s Expeditionary Services include airlift operations; mobility systems; and command and control centers in support of military and humanitarian missions. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.
Media contact: Daniela Pietsch, Vice President Corporate Marketing & Communications, at editor@aarcorp.com or +1 630-227-5100.
This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled “Risk Factors”, included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company’s control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.