ARINC modifies helicopters for Iraq, delivers 22 aircraft

Posted by Courtney E. HowardANNAPOLIS, 5 Aug. 2011. Engineers at ARINC Engineering Services LLC have completed the modification of 22 Russian Mi-17 helicopters for the Air Force of Iraq, delivering on a 2007 U.S. Army contract. The company completed a similar upgrade of 10 Mi-17 helicopters for Afghanistan’s Air Force. A majority of the modification work on both programs was performed in U.A.E. “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,” says 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 25 July 2011. ARINC delivered the aircraft ahead of schedule, supplying the final two aircraft to Iraqi representatives in Taji, Iraq on 15 June--six weeks ahead of schedule.

“With the help of our subcontractor, AAL Group LTD, we were able to move the delivery up,” Turansky says.

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, supporting the Iraqi Air Force’s Mi-17 helicopters and other aircraft under a separate U.S. Army contract. ARINC further provides aircraft maintenance training for the Iraq Air Force.