The United States Army today commended Sabreliner Corp.'s Neosho, Mo. facility for exceptional work in repairing and overhauling engines needed for a grounded fleet of 52 Kiowa Warrior helicopters slated for use in Bosnia.

Lt. Col. William M. Gavora (Program Manager) and Art Ather (Chief, Kiowa Warrior, Integrated Materiel Management Center, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command) met with Sabreliner officials and technicians to thank them for their exceptional work, which meant that flight crews in Fort Stewart, Ga. and Fort Drum, N.Y. were able to accomplish their missions safely in Bosnia.

"The success of this mission was directly related to the extraordinary commitment, dedication and professionalism rendered by all the employees of this company," he said.

The fleet of modern helicopters was grounded in July of last year in the face of engine failures due to exposure to sand and dust. Sabreliner's Neosho facility was in the process of repairing T703 engines at a rate of three a month. At the urgent request of the Army, the facility accelerated deliveries to five a month.

"During this crisis, the U.S. Army was faced with limited availability of the engines needed, and this challenge was overcome by Premier Turbines, a Sabreliner company," Col. Gavora said. "The role of this company to support the U.S. Army and the Kiowa Warrior fleet is extremely important to our soldiers' welfare."

"Each person involved is vital to the success of our country's welfare. The employees' special sacrifices and dedication to duty have contributed to our ability to meet the challenges facing the Army today. Their dedication reflects great credit upon themselves and Premier Turbines," he said.

The armed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a single engine, double-bladed armed reconnaissance helicopter deployed in support of United States armed forces around the world including Haiti, Bosnia and the Gulf of Arabia.

The primary mission of the helicopter is in the scout attack role. It also can be used for insertion of up to six troops for critical point security missions.

"This facility has a long history of providing important support to our country, from its early heritage as the producer of rocket engines for the space program through today, when we work on engines critical to the military, so this commendation is especially meaningful to us," said Jim Robertson, general manager of the facility. "We have a highly skilled and deeply dedicated force of technicians here, and having Col. Gavora join us makes it an important day."

Sabreliner Corp. is a diversified aviation service, maintenance and modification firm serving a wide variety of government and corporate aircraft, engines, systems and components. The company and its subsidiaries have annualized sales of $250 million and more than 1,500 employees at ten facilities in five states.

<< Back to News