The Navy’s command for training aviators is expected to resume flights this week after having to halt operations in connection to the government shutdown, a spokesman for Naval Air Training Command (NATRACOM) said.
Lt. John Supple said the command has been given an exception that will effectively allow it to start flying.
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| A C-12 Huron. Photo by U.S. Navy |
NATRACOM, based in Corpus Christi, Tex., stopped flights last week at five locations in Texas, Mississippi and Florida after two key maintenance contractors furloughed employees after deciding not to continue working under unfunded contracts. The contractors were L-3 Communications [LLL] and BAE Systems.
Supple said at the time the companies exercised a clause in the contracts that allows them to halt work without government funding. L-3 and BAE accepted the risk for several days after the shutdown began Oct. 1 but later decided to furlough employees.
NATRACOM oversees roughly 170-190 daily training flights. L-3 is responsible for maintaining T-45 and TC-12 training aircraft, while BAE works on T-6s, T-34s and T-44s, Supple said.