Hawker Beechcraft Receives Follow-On Training Contract for Operation Peace Dragon in Iraq

Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) today announced it has received a follow-on contract for training from the Air Force Security Assistance Training command as the Contract Logistic Support (CLS) provider for the ongoing Operation Peace Dragon maintenance and support program for the Iraqi Air Force’s fleet of Beechcraft King Air 350ER Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft. Under terms of the contract, Hawker Beechcraft will send three additional technicians, along with two instructors, to New Al-Muthana Air Base in Baghdad, Iraq, to provide technical and logistical instruction to Iraqi Air Force maintenance personnel. 

“This training component is a logical step in the transition for Iraqi troops to assume responsibility for this important and ongoing mission,” said Christi Tannahill, HBC vice president, Global Customer Support. “Our goal is to effectively train the Iraqi Air Force personnel to develop the capability and confidence to maintain their aircraft.”

Beginning in July of 2010, Hawker Beechcraft’s GCS organization transitioned into the CLS role for the Peace Dragon Program, supporting full flying schedules of six sorties per day. Since that time, Peace Dragon aircraft have flown nearly 2,570 hours in more than 1,200 sorties.

An initial 12 employees, including GCS representatives from the company’s service centers across the U.S, have provided maintenance and logistical support for the fleet of King Air turboprops. The company was awarded the contract to supply five King Air 350ER ISR and one light transport version of the King Air 350 in March 2007.

Developed for special mission applications, the King Air 350ER turboprops utilized in the Peace Dragon Program include heavyweight landing gear, long range nacelle-mounted fuel tanks and other airframe modifications to support a 1,500 pound increase in gross weight. Adding the nacelle fuel tanks provides the King Air 350ER with more than eight hours of endurance and 2,400 nautical miles of range. The airplanes are equipped with Lynx-2 synthetic aperture radar units built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of San Diego, Calif.

Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., GCS is dedicated to improving the value of Hawker Beechcraft aircraft by employing products and services to simplify aircraft ownership, reduce operating cost and increase resale value. GCS is comprised of five functional groups that include Support Plus (cost predictability/warranty programs), Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution (genuine factory parts), Hawker Beechcraft Services (factory-owned service centers), Technical Support (Field Support Representatives, Hot Line specialists and Technical Publications) and Global Mission Support (government business and special mission maintenance / training support).

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission, light attack and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.