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 $4.26 billion Small Business Innovation Research contracting program widely used by the Air Force went into hibernation as the government shut down Oct. 1, but unless lawmakers strike a deal on reforms, the program could reach an abrupt end.
