WOOD DALE, Ill., /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --AAR (NYSE: AIR) announced today that the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has exercised two renewal options for AAR to provide airlift support in Afghanistan through October of 2012. The first option has a value of $99 million and is part of a task order awarded to AAR in October, 2010. The second option has a value of $51 million and is part of a task order awarded to AAR in August, 2011.

The Company's AAR Airlift operating unit provides rotary-wing aircraft and related personnel, equipment and maintenance to transport personnel, cargo and mail in support of U.S. and NATO operations in Afghanistan. AAR Airlift will support the requirement using three Bell 214ST, seven Sikorsky S-61 and two Sikorsky S-92 helicopters, which were acquired to fulfill the initial contract award.

"We are very proud to provide airlift for the U.S. Government and its allies as an integral part of our nation's transportation and logistics capability in this austere environment," said Randy J. Martinez, Group Vice President, for AAR's Government and Defense Services segment. "This renewal reflects the dedication and outstanding work of our pilots and support personnel and the confidence that they've earned from both the U.S. Transportation Command and Department of Defense."

AAR's Airlift Group provides expeditionary airlift services and performs specialized aircraft modifications for defense, security and humanitarian relief operations. Under current contracts, the Company provides airlift for the Department of Defense (DoD) in three regions around the world, using both fixed-wing aircraft and rotary-wing aircraft to transport personnel, supplies and mail over land and at sea.

AAR is a leading provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aerospace and government and defense industries. With facilities and sales locations around the world, AAR uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve customers through four operating segments: Aviation Supply Chain; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul; Structures and Systems; and Government and Defense Services. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

AAR - Named One of The Most Trustworthy Companies by Forbes magazine.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors", included in the Company's May 31, 2011 Form 10-K. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.