Fort Worth, TX-based Bell Helicopter and Mexico's Aeroservicios Especializados S.A. de C.V. ("ASESA") announced Tuesday that ASESA's fleet of 17 Bell 412EP helicopters has surpassed the 50,000 flight hour mark without incident.

Established in 1977, ASESA is currently the largest offshore operator in Mexico. It is part of the PROTEXA group of companies, founded in 1945, and holds the contract from PEMEX Exploration y Produccio, Mexico's national oil company, to provide transportation of personnel and cargo from Ciudad del Carmen to offshore oil platforms.

"We are tremendously proud to be associated with a company like ASESA," said Bell Helicopter CEO Mike Redenbaugh, adding the helicopter is Bell's entry into the US Army's Light-Utility Helicopter (LUH) Program.

"The paces they put their 412 fleet through 365 days a year, and the success they have with the helicopter is exactly why we offered the 412 to serve as the Army's new LUH," Redenbaugh added. "We offer our sincerest congratulations to ASESA for reaching this 50,000 hour milestone. It's a testament to their professionalism, commitment and their love of their business. We are proud to be part of their team."

Over the past year, ASESA's fleet flew 9,634 missions for 17,577 hours, conducted 156,043 landings, and transported 900,533 passengers. And they did all this without receiving one penalty from PEMEX.

"With more than three million flight hours on our global 412 fleet, a proven relationship with our partner suppliers, and 12 straight years of #1 customer support recognition, we are ready to give the Army what they need to successfully accomplish their LUH mission," explained Stephen Eppinette, Army Business Development Manager. "Successful companies like ASESA are proving these facts day in and day out."

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