Veterans charter Continental flights to Iwo Jima

HAGATNA, Guam—Continental Airlines operated three charter flights for Iwo Jima this weekend to bring World War II veterans, among others, to the island for the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Eighty-two World War II veterans were among the group of 450 passengers, which included historians, educators and veterans’ family members.

While in the Pacific, the group also visited historical points of interest on Guam, Saipan, Tinian and the Republic of Palau, where many of these veterans served during the war in the Pacific.

Coordinated by Military Historical Tours (www.miltours.com) in Alexandria, VA, the group traveled from throughout the United States to Guam and boarded three Continental flights yesterday to Iwo Jima to remember the sacrifices of American servicemen and Japanese Imperial soldiers who paid the ultimate price in the Pacific Theater during the Second World War.

Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Larry Snowden, a veteran of Iwo Jima, will serve as tour host for the group.

This is the 10th time that the veterans have traveled to Iwo Jima on Continental.

“What an honor to once again be a part of this very special reunion, as we remember and appreciate the sacrifices these veterans made in the name of freedom,” said Continental Micronesia president and chief executive officer Mark Erwin.

Continental Airlines is the world’s sixth largest airline with more than 3,000 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. The carrier serves 152 domestic and 122 international destinations, more than any other carrier in the world. Nearly 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines, which include Aeromexico, Air France/KLM, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines. With 4 1,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and carries approximately 55 million passengers per year.

Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. Fortune magazine named Continental the No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline on its 2005 list of Most Admired Global Companies and also ranked the carrier No. 49 on its annual “Top 50” list, which ranks companies across a wide variety of industries, The carrier won major awards at the 2004 OAG Airline of the Year Awards including “Airline of the Year,” “Best Airline Based in North America” and “Best Executive/Business Class.” For more company information, visit continental.com.

Continental Micronesia is headquartered on Guam and operates a Pacific hub from the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport. A wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Airlines, Continental Micronesia offers more than 290 departures each week between 22 cities throughout the Pacific Rim, the Micronesian Islands and Hawaii, with a fleet of 13 next-generation Boeing 737 narrowbody and 767 widebody aircraft. In addition, Continental Micronesia and its code share partner Cape Air operate commuter service between Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.