From the Office of Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger
Maryland's 2nd District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 22, 2003

Contact Information
Heather Moeder Molino
202-225-3061

Frontier Airlines Joins "Operation Hero Miles"

Congressman Ruppersberger, the Creator of "Operation Hero Miles," Participates in Announcement at Frontier Headquarters in Denver, Colorado

www.heromiles.org

Washington, DC - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is proud to announce that Frontier Airlines is joining "Operation Hero Miles," the innovative program that helps troops on emergency leave or Rest and Relaxation (R & R) from Iraq and Afghanistan fly home for free. Congressman Ruppersberger together with Frontier CEO Jeff Potter and members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation including, Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO), Congressman Bob Beauprez (R-CO), and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), made the announcement at Frontier's Headquarters in Denver, Colorado, on Monday, December 22, 2003.

"Our men and women in uniform answered the call to serve and are fighting for our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Frontier Airlines also answered that call by supporting our troops and their families through 'Operation Hero Miles.' Frontier Airlines should be commended for giving troops the gift of quality time with their families this holiday season," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

"We are honored and proud to participate in Operation Hero Miles," said Jeff Potter, CEO and President of Frontier Airlines. "This is a unique and easy way to provide assistance for our American soldiers to come home and visit with their families. This is particularly important for Colorado soldiers who will now have the opportunity to fly Frontier Airlines back to their home in Colorado."

Right now troops on R & R or Emergency Leave are flown to airports in Baltimore, Maryland, Atlanta, Georgia, and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, by the Department of Defense and then required to pay their own way to take connecting flights to their hometowns all across the country.

Congressman Ruppersberger is concerned about the financial burden placed on military families. That is why he created "Operation Hero Miles", a program where travelers can donate their frequent flyer miles to the participating airlines and soldiers can use them to get free flights home. So far 300 million miles have been donated to the program. That is enough for 12,250 free round trip flights for the troops.

Visit www.heromiles.org for more information.

For more information, contact Heather Moeder Molino at 202-225-3061