Korean Air Lines Co won a deal to do maintenance work on CH-53's?

via Korea Observer.

Korean Air Lines Co., South Korea’s top air carrier, said Tuesday it has clinched a 50 billion won (US$45.56 million) deal to perform maintenance on the U.S. Marine Corps’ transport helicopters.
The deal will put Korean Air in charge of the depot maintenance of some 40 CH-53 Sea Stallion heavy-lift transport helicopters that are currently operated by U.S. Marines based in Japan, the air carrier said in a press release.
Depot maintenance refers to the inspection of an aircraft’s various systems, including check-ups on major parts via a complete overhaul, as well as repairing glitches and improving the aircraft’s overall performance.
The contract will last for five years until 2020, according to Korean Air.

Wow.

Really?

Seriously?

This smells.  I can't ever recall Korean Air Lines being involved in providing maintenance to USMC aircraft.  So why now?  I'm not gonna lie to you.  I smell some type of sweetheart deal to make the F-35 more attractive.  I could easily be wrong but on the surface this just doesn't seem right.