At a ceremony in downtown Manhattan today, military families will be visiting the local US Organizations (USO) center to be among the first to interact with their loved ones serving overseas via Xbox Live. US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) has teamed up with both the USO and Microsoft to launch the program, code-named Operation: Live Connections.

　　"Operation: Live Connections is a welcome gift to anyone serving overseas this holiday," said 1st Lt. Edward Reynado, US Air Force. "Xbox Live allows me to play my favorite games with friends and family as though I am sitting on the couch right next to them back home in Garden Grove, California. We share stories, laugh, and poke fun at each other in real time as we play."

　　USO services centers around the world are currently being equipped with Xbox consoles, Xbox Live accounts, and popular games, like NFL Fever 2004, Project Gotham Racing 2, and Crimson Skies. Earlier this year, research conducted by the USAFE--among airmen--showed that online gaming centers were at the top of their wish lists for improving their ways of life and boosting morale. Subsequently, USAFE services built 17 Xbox game lounges on 14 bases in seven European countries.

　　"USAFE joined forces with Operation: Live Connections to further address the quality-of-life initiative, providing a positive avenue for recreation and leisure-time activities through online gaming," said Arthur Myers, director of US Air Force Services. "With Operation: Live Connections, we are expanding our ability to connect airmen with their loved ones while bringing the familiarities of home to those stationed abroad."

　　"Microsoft is extremely honored to have the opportunity to join forces with the USO and USAFE to fulfill the program's mission to give military personnel new ways to connect with family during the holidays," said Julia Miller, director of marketing for Xbox Live at Microsoft. "This is truly a landmark effort to help boost morale and show the troops and their families our support and appreciation for their dedicated service and sacrifice in being apart, especially during the holidays."