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. This team’s exceptional work demonstrated the highest level of professionalism, and set a standard of which AAR is very proud,” said Randy Martinez, President and CEO, AAR Airlift Group.
 
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.