ARINC Engineering Services, LLC, recently said it has completed the modification of 22 Russian Mi-17 Helicopters for use by Iraq’s air force under a 2007 U.S. Army contract. The final two aircraft were handed over to Iraqi representatives in Taji, Iraq on June 15, six weeks ahead of schedule.
Last year, ARINC Engineering Services completed a similar upgrade of 10 Mi-17 helicopters for the Afghanistan air force. Most of the modification work on both programs was performed in the United Arab Emirates.
“The acquisition, modification and delivery of these Russian helicopters to Iraq and Afghanistan was a groundbreaking program for ARINC Engineering Services, for our Russian teammate, AAL Group LTD, for the United States government, and for the Russian Federation,” said David Turansky, ARINC Program Director. “The success of the programs is a testament to the teamwork of the government organizations and companies involved.”
The Iraq program was originally scheduled to complete final aircraft deliveries by July 25, 2011; however, ARINC was able to deliver the aircraft ahead of schedule. “With the help of our subcontractor, AAL Group Ltd, we were able to move the delivery up to June 15, 2011,” Turansky said.
The U.S. Army contracts were managed by the ARINC Engineering Services Program Office in Warner Robins, Ga.
ARINC Engineering Services also provides maintenance and logistics support services at Camp Taji, Iraq to support the Iraqi air force’s Mi-17 helicopters and other aircraft under a separate U.S. Army contract.
ARINC also provides aircraft maintenance training for the Iraq air force.
ARINC Inc., is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group.