RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2005--BAE Systems and its employees, continuing their support of the United Service Organizations (USO) and the U.S. military, today donated 200 new bicycles and helmets to the USO of Metropolitan Washington during ceremonies held at company facilities in Reston, Va. The bikes, in various colors, models and sizes, will be distributed by the USO to family members of soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen and Marines in the Greater Baltimore/Washington area.

BAE Systems' employees will hold a similar event Dec. 7 for the USO and military families in the San Diego area, donating an additional 650 bicycles and helmets.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey L. Greer, Joint Forces Headquarters - National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, attended the event and thanked the USO for coordinating the program and BAE Systems' employees who raised funds and assembled bikes after hours and on weekends.

"This outpouring of generosity is overwhelming and very much appreciated by military families served by the Washington USO," Greer said. "We have a large number of fathers and mothers deployed overseas and this effort by BAE Systems will no doubt bring big smiles to many children and their parents."

"BAE Systems is proud to be a part of a program that benefits the USO and the men and women in uniform," said Geoff Grant, BAE Systems' vice president for systems integration. "This event originated at our San Diego location and it's heartwarming to see the enthusiasm of our employees as they embrace this worthwhile effort for military families in the Greater Baltimore/Washington area."

The Holiday Bike Drive has been an annual event since 1995. Since that time, BAE Systems and its employees have donated more than 3,100 bicycles.

BAE Systems is a strong supporter of the USO. The company recently renewed its partnership with a $1 million pledge to support the USO's programs and services. Since joining with the USO as a World Partner in December 2000, BAE Systems has contributed nearly $3 million in total donations, to include a special grant of $1 million made following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The USO mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform. The original intent of Congress -- and enduring style of USO delivery -- is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military. The USO currently operates 124 centers around the world, including six mobile canteens, with 71 located in the continental United States, three in the Caribbean and 51 overseas. Service members and their families visit USO centers more than 5 million times each year.

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems.

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