Textron Inc. [TXT] was awarded a five-year follow-on contract worth up to $50 million from the United States Air Force for Afghan Trainer Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), the company said Tuesday.

The contract was awarded through the company’s Textron Systems Support Solutions and is valued at $9.4 million for the first year of performance.

A Cessna 208B at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. Photo: U.S. Air Force via International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Sargento OR-6 Juan Ardura Santa Engracia/Spanish Army.
A Cessna 208B at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan. Photo: U.S. Air Force via International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Sargento OR-6 Juan Ardura Santa Engracia/Spanish Army.

Under the CLS award, Textron provides training and maintenance in support of the Air Force and Afghan Air Force’s C-208B Caravans. The C-208Bs are being used for military transport and training.

During the contract performance, Textron is set to transfer capabilities and offer maintenance training to the Afghan Air Force to allow them to eventually work independently.

Mark Hitch, Textron’s vice president of business development at the support solutions division, highlighted that Textron started work on the aircraft in 2016 as part of a bridge contract.

“We are looking forward to continuing the relationship with our customer through this five-year contract. This endeavor will ensure that Textron personnel are the sole providers of maintenance and training on our own aircraft.”

Contract work began on Feb. 1 at Kabul Air Base and Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan.