Ruppersberger Criticizes Pentagon Decision to Stop Troops From Traveling Through BWI Airport

Washington, DC - The Pentagon has decided to eliminate Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport as the nation's major point of entry for troops returning from overseas. The Department of Defense says it will divert all military travel, including R & R troop travel, to Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta and DFW Airport in Dallas. The move will take effect in mid - June.

"I am disappointed to hear that the Department of Defense plans to end a program that works. The employees at BWI Airport along with the dedicated USO staff and volunteers go above and beyond the call of duty for our troops and their families. They provide our military personnel with the comforts of home - anything from a clean shower to homemade snacks to a computer to communicate with loved ones. They also provide shuttle service to nearby airports. I believe ending this system that benefits our troops is a bad decision," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

In September 2003, the Pentagon started giving soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan two weeks of leave in the largest R & R program since the Vietnam War. Most soldiers on R & R or Emergency Leave travel through BWI Airport. The State of Maryland spent $1.1 million dollars for construction of the one-of-a-kind USO International Gateway Lounge at BWI. It hosts more than 250,000 military personnel and their families each year. The military travel program brings more than $20 million annually to the state of Maryland.

BWI Airport is close to Baltimore and Washington and makes it ideal for troop transport. It is located near Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Fort Meade, Walter Reed Army Hospital, Bolling Air Force Base, Andrews Air Force Base, Ft. Myers, Quantico Marine Base, the Pentagon, the Capitol and the White House. BWI also sits on the I-95 corridor which allows families easy access to the airport and the surrounding community. In addition, BWI offers exceptionally low fares as a hub to Southwest Airlines and is close to two other large commercial airports, Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport. BWI is also served by Amtrak.

Congressman Ruppersberger plans to ask Congress to take a second look at the decision.

All of the democratic members of the Maryland Delegation sent a letter to President George W. Bush on May 10th, 2004, asking him NOT to allow this to happen and keep troops traveling through BWI. Congressman Ruppersberger also sent a similar letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on March 30th, 2004.

Congressman Ruppersberger created "Operation Hero Miles," the innovative program that allows travelers to donate their unused frequent flyer miles. Military personnel can use them to fly home for free and family members of wounded troops can use them to travel to military hospitals to visit their injured loved ones.

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