In the wee morning hours of 11 Sep 2001 I was in a C-17A Globemaster III on my way back to Charleston after a trip that took us through Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. As we plodded along from Gander airport (CYQX) in Newfoundland, Canada, we spoke to the same centers that would, in less than eight hours, deal with the most significant incident to occur in many of our lives. Boston Center, New York Center, Washington Center, Atlanta Center, and finally Jacksonville Center (referred to as JAX Center) prior to being handed over to Charleston tower and landing. After paperwork and driving home to North Charleston from the AFB, I was fast asleep. I awoke to my mom calling from PA to tell me to turn on the TV and that’s how I found out. I watched for a while, logged on to AOL and took part in a few conversations there, and eventually laid back down for a nap (remember I flew all night) shortly after the 2nd tower fell. Later on a phone call from work (AFB) to place us on a modified standby, and another call regarding an intel brief on what happened that morning. At some point, I discovered that FAA had implemented a modified SCATANA – Secure Control of Air Traffic And Navigational Aids – a measure that was designed to exercise control over the air navigation aids in order to provide better control for military air traffic. SCATANA is a Cold-War era measure, and 11 Sep 01 was the only time it has been used. The idea is to clear the air for military air traffic in the event of an emergency – back then it would have been the nuclear bombers of the Strategic Air Command. In 2001 it resulted in ATC Zero – no civilian aircraft were airborne. I digress.
Remember those that perished in the WTC, Flight 93, and The Pentagon that morning, as well as those that perished rushing in during an attempt to save the lives of those in peril. Not to be forgotten are those involved in Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom. Regardless of how ill-conceived the latter, our men and women involved overseas should not be forgotten.
Over Afghanistan in early 2002 – OEF