Fighter pilot recounts 9/11 mission
LATEST Pilot prepared to ram hijacked plane with unarmed aircraft
Retired Air Force Major Heather Penney recounted her experience on September 11, 2001. She was ordered to intercept United Airlines Flight 93 and was prepared to ram the hijacked plane with her unarmed aircraft to protect Washington D.C. airspace.
NOW PLAYING Fighter pilot on order to take down Flight 93 on 9/11
Retired Air Force Major Heather "Lucky" Penney recounted her experience on September 11, 2001, recalling that she was ordered to intercept United Airlines Flight 93 before it reached Washington, D.C. airspace. Due to a lack of time, her F-16 jet was not armed, meaning the mission would have required her to ram the airliner, a "suicide mission." Penney stated she was prepared to make that sacrifice, as she had sworn an oath to protect and defend the country.
Penney's account highlights the extraordinary measures and personal sacrifices considered by military personnel on 9/11, underscoring the gravity of the attacks and the collective will to defend the nation.
The video also touches on the heroism of Flight 93 passengers and President Bush's experience on Air Force One.