New Mexico Business Weekly by Dan Mayfield, Reporter Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 12:20pm MDT
Air USA is relocating its headquarters to Albuquerque according the today’s announcement by Gov. Susana Martinez. The company, which specializes in military combat training with foreign-made air craft, is expected to employ up to 200 in the Big Duke. Albuquerque is a choice location, according to Don Kirlin, the founder and president of AIR USA. The company prefers hiring military veterans who have an understanding of fighter aircraft operations. Albuquerque presents a large population of this type of skilled work force. AIR USA would benefit as well because of our close proximity to flight test and training ranges.
Air USA was founded in 1994. It operates a squadron of high-performance jet aircraft. It has imported foreign-made jet fighter aircraft, including Soviet-made Mig-29 fighters, the German Alpha Jet and the Czech Super Albatross. AIR USA has a variety of contracts with the US Marines and US Navy, as well as research and development contracts with Raytheon Co. and Boeing. It also conducts flight test support at White Sands Missile Range and trains instructors for the National Test Pilot School.
To begin, the company will be interviewing for positions including accountants, contracts experts and proposal writers. Over the next three years, they will hire pilots, crew chiefs, weapons loaders and more. They hope to choose a headquarters in The Q by January 1st, 2012.
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