AAR (NYSE: AIR) announces the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has exercised a renewal option for AAR Airlift to continue its airlift support in Afghanistan. The renewal is tied to one of several contracts AAR has with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide fixed and rotary wing airlift support in the region. The option has a value of approximately $161 million and is part of a contract originally awarded to AAR in October 2010.

AAR Airlift provides staff, equipment and maintenance to transport personnel, cargo and mail over land and sea in support of U.S. and NATO operations. AAR will fulfill this requirement using two Sikorsky S-92, six Sikorsky S-61, and two Bell 214 ST10 helicopters.

“We appreciate the confidence the U.S. Transportation Command and the Department of Defense have in AAR Airlift to help maximize their logistics and transportation capabilities in this important military theater,” said Randy J. Martinez, President, AAR Airlift. “We thank our pilots and personnel on the ground for being responsive and for maintaining great relationships with our customers.”

AAR Airlift provides expeditionary airlift services and performs specialized aircraft modifications for defense, security and humanitarian relief operations. AAR currently supports the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan, Africa and the Pacific Rim, and is ranked one of the top defense contractors in the world.

About AAR
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 two operating segments: Aviation Services, and Manufacturing and Systems. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

— and the official US DoD statement said:-

Canadian Commercial Corp./Canadian Helicopters Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, $72,393,145 (HTC711-10-D-R025); AAR Airlift Group Inc., Palm Bay, Fla., $161,544,147; (HTC711-10-D-R026 TO 0001 and 0002); Vertical de Aviacion Ltd., Bogota, Columbia, $214,259,924 (HTC711-10-D-R027 TO 0001 and TO 0002); Evergreen Helicopters Inc., McMinnville, Ore., $24,628,600 (HTC711-10-D-R028); Columbia Helicopters Inc., Aurora, Ore., $97,795,019, (HTC711-11-D-R021 TO 0002 and 0003); and Construction Helicopters Inc., Howell, Mich., $31,772,273, (HTC711-11-D-R022) have received option year modifications for a multiple-award firm, fixed-price contract for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and the option year will start Nov. 1, 2012, to be completed by Oct. 31, 2013.  This contract was a competitive acquisition.  The contracting activity is U.S. Transportation Command Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.