King Aerospace, an US provider of modification and maintenance support, recently welcomed longtime homeland security and national aviation law enforcement professional Bob Blanchard as its new vice president of business development, special projects.

In this role, Blanchard will develop and execute initiatives to enhance the company's capabilities and reputation in serving civilian and military clients worldwide, building on his more than 33 years of federal aviation and law enforcement experience with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the US Coast Guard.

"King Aerospace stands ready to serve our government agencies anytime, anyplace," says founder and chairman Jerry King. "Bob Blanchard brings decades of experience with aircraft operational and maintenance requirements to our company, and we look forward to introducing our company's services to new industry segments."

Before joining CBP in 2002, Blanchard was assigned to the US Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Squadron tasked with intercepting suspected drug boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Basin.

He was named director of national air operations for CBP air and marine operations in 2013, and later served as director of national air security operations centre operations in Jacksonville, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas.

Blanchard was promoted to the executive ranks where he served in AMO headquarters as executive director, training, safety and standards and executive director, northern border. His final assignment prior to retirement was serving as executive director, national air security operations, overseeing six NASOCs operating 35 aircraft throughout North, Central and South America.

"I am pleased to help expand King Aerospace's portfolio of services to rotary wing maintenance and federal law enforcement segments," he says. "This company's commitment to 'God, Country and Family' aligns perfectly with how I've approached my entire career of serving our country, and I look forward to continuing to provide that service in this new role."