WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 22, 2004  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ten families of
Massachusetts National Guard members serving in Iraq were able to see and
speak directly with their loved ones Saturday, when Raytheon Company donated
use of its Global Headquarters video teleconference facility through the
sponsorship of the Freedom Calls Foundation.  During the 30 minute sessions
Raytheon technology linked troops stationed in Iraq with their families.  This
unique event provided military families an opportunity to celebrate the
upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with their loved ones deployed in Iraq.

    "We are honored to host this important event," said Rebecca Rhoads, vice
president of Information Technology at Raytheon Company.  "Our long history of
support for the men and women who serve our country and our commitment to our
local communities made this a natural fit for our company.  We are proud to
offer this service as a token of appreciation for those who are serving in
harms way."

    Freedom Calls Foundation is a not for profit charitable organization
authorized to provide communication technology to connect soldiers to their
families.  The Foundation's first facility, located in an Army camp north of
Baghdad in the Sunni Triangle, offers Voice over Internet Protocol telephone
technology, internet, and video conferencing services.  In response to Freedom
Calls' enormous success, the Army has requested that the Foundation install
its facilities at 8 additional Army camps in Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan in the
coming months. The Freedom Calls Foundation makes all logistical arrangements
in connecting deployed troops with their families located in the United
States.

    Raytheon and the Freedom Calls Foundation will host another Operation
Family Calls event on Friday, Nov. 26, 2004 from Raytheon facilities in New
England and California.

    Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2003 sales of $18.1 billion, is an
industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs more than 78,000 people
worldwide.


   Contact
   Nick Garrison
   781.522.6490


SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Web site:  http://www.raytheon.com/