Alenia North America announced Sept. 25 that the company had delivered to the US Air Force the first modernized and refurbished C-27 destined for the Afghan National Army Air Corps. As we reported earlier, Alenia first flew the aircraft, one of 18 destined for the ANAAC, last month. Giovanni Bertolone, CEO of Alenia Aeronautica, parent to Alenia NA, said the company had delivered the aircraft “within the envisaged time and budget,” which he added, “proves once more” the company’s “capability to provide products meeting specific US Government requirements.” The remaining 17 aircraft are slated for delivery by the end of 2011.
The Pentagon is significantly bolstering airpower near Venezuela, dispatching the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to Latin America, it said in an Oct. 24 statement. The announcement came just hours after U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers and other U.S. assets flew near the Venezuelan coast on Oct. 23.
