US embassy cable - 05ROME2498

UNCLAS ROME 002498 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR (T. WATKINS); 
EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KOMC, ETTC, IT, ECON, AVIATION, BLUE LANTERN, EXPORT CONTROLS 
SUBJECT: ROME RESPONSE:  BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3:  05-969702 
PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK 
 
REF: STATE 132080 
 
1.  This is a response to reftel, and conveys pre-license 
information on application number 05-969702, regarding the 
export of CH-47 Chinook spare parts from Lee Air Company, 
Inc. to Italian consignee Aermeccanica. 
 
2.  We confirmed Aermeccanica's order by telephone with 
co-owner Aldo Pinza.  Mr. Pinza subsequently followed up our 
call with a faxed declaration regarding his company's order 
of one P/N 68-11926 shaft to be used in a parts replacement 
with motor and fan P/N 114HS106-15.  The replacement part was 
to be shipped to Agusta S.p.A., for use in a CH-47 Chinook 
helicopter repair for the Italian Army.  We subsequently 
confirmed with Agusta employee Loredana Medici the company's 
purchase order with Aermeccanica, and the Italian Army 
Aviation Command in Viterbo (CH-47 helicopter fleet 
headquarters) as the end user. 
 
3.  Embassy's Office of Defense Coordination is not familiar 
with Aermeccanica, but commented the transaction appears 
credible based on experience with Agusta.  Agusta built and 
maintains the now discontinued CH-47 model C fleet of Italian 
Army helicopters, which includes craft deployed in Iraq and 
Afghanistan.  Agusta routinely requires replacement parts for 
this aging fleet. 
 
4.  Aermeccanica is an Italian firm located in Varese 
(northern Italy), owned and operated by brothers Aldo and 
Sergio Pinza.  The company's 20 employees provide component 
repairs and parts replacement for military and civilian 
aircraft, including helicopters.  Aermeccanica's main client 
is Agusta, but it also serves other, mostly Italian, firms. 
We were not able to confirm whether or not Aermeccanica has 
any ties to embargoed parties.  Note Aermeccanica's complete 
and correct address is:  Aermeccanica S.r.l., Via Monte 
Grappa N. 2, 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (Varese), Italy. 
 
5.  Based on the thorough and open nature of Aermeccanica's 
disclosure, Embassy believes the finding is satisfactory. 
Please advise if any further post action or follow-up is 
required. 
KILNER 
 
 
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 2005ROME02498 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED