Los Angeles, CA (April 26, 2011): Mercury Aviation Services, Inc. (MAS) announced today that Donald M. Basso has joined the company as Vice President with responsibility for operations and sales. MAS is the consulting arm of Mercury Air Group, Inc., a global leader in the aviation services industry with business operations in more than 60 locations worldwide.

MAS provides aviation security expertise and operational consulting to airlines, shippers, forwarders, as well as foreign and domestic airports. Additionally, MAS is the first Transportation Security Administration (TSA) certified on-airport Independent Cargo Screening Facility operator in the United States and provides cargo screening services to the aviation industry.

Most recently, Basso was working on TSA’s plans for 100% screening of cargo in-bound to the U.S. Basso also served as a Principal Cargo Security Analyst with the TSA Air Cargo Group where he was responsible for developing and deploying the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP).

Previously, Basso was an Aviation Security Inspector responsible for regulatory inspections and TSA’s covert checkpoint testing initiative at Category X Airports. While working at JFK in 2002, Basso reported directly to the Federal Security Director and was critical in executing the Strategic Airport Security Rollout.

“We are extremely pleased to have recruited someone of Don’s level of expertise and experience. He will significantly enhance MAS and the services we are able to offer,” said David A. Herbst, President of Mercury Aviation Services, Inc.

Basso brings an impressive background to MAS, including subject matter expertise in airport security, and cargo, passenger and checked baggage screening as well as service in the Military Police Corps with tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries in Africa and Europe. As a member of the New York Army National Guard, Basso was deployed to the World Trade Center immediately following 9/11 for rescue, recovery and security operations.

In 2003, he developed and trained participants for the first Iraqi National Police Academies in several provinces within Iraq and then later taught SWAT techniques to Iraq Special Forces Anti-Terrorism units. Additionally, he was the first Supervisory Transportation Security Officer at JFK Airport following 9/11.

“Mercury’s reputation is unmatched within the aviation industry and very well respected within TSA,” said Basso, adding, “making this move makes sense for me in putting my knowledge to work and helping airlines, airports and others in the supply chain maximize their understanding and compliance with the regulatory and security challenges that will continue to become more restrictive.”