NNSA Albuquerque Team, with AAR Aircraft Maintenance Support, Earns DOE Jeff Snow Aviation Program Memorial Award

Site recognized for non-DoD programs for National Nuclear Security Administration

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – AAR (NYSE: AIR) announces its team that exclusively supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) three-plane fleet has been recognized for its support of NNSA Aviation.  NNSA Aviation won the 2013 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Jeff Snow Aviation Program Memorial Award. The recognition is given to non-Department of Defense programsconsidered to be the safest, most efficient and effective in all aspects of the flight program, aviation management and administration of operations, maintenance, training and safety.

AAR has provided logistics and aircraft support, including repair work, for the NNSA since December 2011. The Albuquerque facility earned its FAA Repair Station Certification in February 2013.

Alex Bapty, Director of the Aviation Operations Division for NNSA’s Office of Secure Transportation, presented the plaque to the AAR team. He praised AAR employees for their “can-do approach” in all aspects of daily operations. AAR’s Albuquerque facility has 25 employees dedicated to supporting the NNSA’s two Boeing 737-400 passenger/cargo aircraft (Combi) and a DC-9 Combi. Housed at the DOE facility at Kirtland Air Force Base, the AAR team providesaircraft maintenance and all aspects of flight applications, including ground support, flight planning, cabin safety and more.

“This award demonstrates the dedication and commitment that each Albuquerque team member has to exceed customer expectations for providing a safe, efficient and effective aviation program for the Department of Energy,” said David Jones, AAR Aircraft Services Vice President of Operations, who heads up the Albuquerque team.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. Its aircraft are used to provide safe and secure transport of nuclear weapons components, nuclear limited-life components and federal agent task forces.