Major Heather Penney Sept 11 mission

Although much of this was reported in 2011 I had not seen this story until today.

F16 ready to give life on Sept 11

Late in the morning of the Tuesday that changed everything, Lt. Heather “Lucky” Penney was on a runway at Andrews Air Force Base and ready to fly. She had her hand on the throttle of an F-16 and she had her orders: Bring down United Airlines Flight 93. The day’s fourth hijacked airliner seemed to be hurtling toward Washington. Penney, one of the first two combat pilots in the air that morning, was told to stop it. The one thing she didn’t have as she roared into the crystalline sky was live ammunition. Or missiles. Or anything at all to throw at a hostile aircraft. Except her own plane. So that was the plan.

C-Span 1 hour interview with Major Penney

This hour long interview is a fascinating account of response efforts on Sept 11.

God......that would have taken some nerve....knowing what you had to do to all the passengers. I'm sure she's thankful that they were able to stop the attack themselves.

The results were, sadly for the passengers, the same.....but at least she didn't have to do it.

JoeyM wrote: God......that would have taken some nerve....knowing what you had to do to all the passengers.

Everyone that works to protect others should go to work ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, weather that be themselves or others, to protect the lives of many. From the big dogs up top at the federal level (military included) to the guy in your grocery store standing at the exit.

Much respect.

N Sperlo wrote:

JoeyM wrote: God......that would have taken some nerve....

Everyone that works to protect others should go to work ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, weather that be themselves or others, to protect the lives of many. From the big dogs up top at the federal level (military included) to the guy in your grocery store standing at the exit. Much respect.

That's why the actions of the passengers are so phenomenal.....they stepped up to the plate when it was not their job to make the sacrifice. They were not in that role, and still did what had to be done: Let's Roll (Neil Young)

People that run towards danger have my utmost respect and admiration. Cops, volunteer fire fighters, military, regular people...it takes a certain mindset.

It is amazing that the US didn't have a single armed aircraft available, even in the most peaceful of times.

In reply to mtn: If the interview was correct, they had 105rds of lead nose training ammo on board for their cannons......should have been about 3-4 seconds worth. I'm sure to those under their flight line when they streaked out of Andrews were thrilled to see fighters in the air, even if they weren't really "armed" properly.

JoeyM wrote:

N Sperlo wrote:

JoeyM wrote: God......that would have taken some nerve....

Everyone that works to protect others should go to work ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, weather that be themselves or others, to protect the lives of many. From the big dogs up top at the federal level (military included) to the guy in your grocery store standing at the exit. Much respect.

That's why the actions of the passengers are so phenomenal.....they stepped up to the plate when it was not their job to make the sacrifice. They were not in that role, and still did what had to be done: Let's Roll (Neil Young)

Thanks for the link to that song! I have not heard it before and felt it was appropriate for me to "discover" on the anniversary.

Got lots of respect for the passengers on that flight who chose to try and make a difference. Sadly their fate was the same either way, but they did make a conscious effort to try to take control of the situation and prevent an even greater tragedy.

Flight 93 was supposed to take out our capitol building, and the passengers stopped it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_93

Great article, thanks for sharing. Those two pilots are the definition of heroes!