Los Angeles, CA (May 31, 2011): Mercury Air Group, Inc., announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Mercury Aviation Services, Inc. (MAS) , has opened an office in Washington, D.C. in the Metropolitan Square Building, adjacent to the White House and Treasury Building. MAS is an aviation security and operational consulting firm (www.mercuryaviationservices.com), which draws on Mercury’s rich and innovative aviation history— stretching back to the legendary AVG Flying Tigers. The MAS office in Washington, D.C. is led by Don Basso, a former senior security official with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Don is a TSA subject matter expert in cargo, passenger and checked baggage security plus he has had an impressive record of service in the Military Police Corps in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and other points around the globe.

MAS is helping airlines, freight forwarders, airports, nations and others involved in the supply chain meet ever increasing security requirements and also find ways to obtain operational efficiencies that improve the bottom line.

“I am extremely pleased that the growth of MAS has resulted in us hiring Don Basso and opening this new office, which is our 63rd location worldwide. Having an office in the heart of the Nation’s Capitol keeps us close to key decision makers in the federal government and allows us to be ahead of the curve,” said Joseph A. Czyzyk, Chairman & CEO of Mercury Air Group, Inc.