Air Education and Training Command wants some assistance in conducting flying and maintenance training for a couple of helicopters—the Russian-made Mi-17 and Bell’s Huey II. AETC has issued a sources sought to see if there are any parties interested in teaching the ins and outs of these two non-USAF helicopters. Apparently, an increase in the requirement for airmen—aircrews and mechanics—qualified in these two aircraft has outstripped the US government’s training capability in this area. The US airmen, in turn, will be training Iraqi and Afghani airmen. Responses are due Aug. 17.
The Air Force is planning to spend $2.19 billion over the next five years to acquire new C-37 jets for transporting military and civilian leaders. That’s on top of another $1.17 billion in projected funding for the VC-25B “Air Force One” replacement.