"Client works for a CA company that supports gov contracts."
For what period?  What type of visa?
Even if he qualifies for §911, you would still need to consider whether he meets the safe harbor rule for CA tax purposes since CA does not conform to §911.

"He is in and out of the country on a regular basis"
Rotational assignment or just frequent business travel back to the states?

"only this current year did he get close to the 330 days"
Meaning his assignment began before TY2017 and he was in Iraq for at least one full calendar year?

One more note... PPT can count both backward and forward.