Military Response During 9/11: A Firsthand Account

On September 11, as thousands of first responders rushed to Ground Zero, the U.S. military quickly mobilized. General Dan Caine, then the chief of Weapons and Tactics for the 121st Fighter Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, shared his experience with CBS News.

Caine recalled sitting in a scheduling meeting when a staffer informed him of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Moments later, he and his colleagues watched in disbelief as a second plane struck the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. Knowing the nation was under attack, Caine and the squadron prepared for immediate action.

“There was no doubt that the country was at war,” Caine stated, as he began organizing the squadron.

With the Pentagon engulfed in smoke, Caine received orders from the White House to defend Washington, D.C. He shared responsibility with Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Dave Wherley, who expressed trust in Caine’s judgment in managing the situation.

Efforts were underway to intercept United Flight 93, targeting a federal building, but it crashed in Pennsylvania due to courageous passengers. Some planes launched so quickly they lacked missiles; Lt. Col. Mark Sasseville and wingman Heather Penney planned to intercept Flight 93 by collision to prevent attack.

Penney explained the unusual mission: “In the military, we don’t send service members on suicide missions,” she said. “But it was clear what needed to be done that morning.”

Caine’s jet carried live missiles with orders to shoot down any aircraft in restricted airspace over Washington. He reflected on the gravity of his duty:

“I remember thinking, ‘Wait a minute, that’s me that’s going to do the shooting here.'”

Ultimately, passengers aboard Flight 93 thwarted the hijackers, leading it to crash into a field, sparing Washington. Caine commended their bravery.

“We take an oath in the military to protect and defend the United States of America. They got on an airliner, and yet they were the first ones that fought back.”

Caine also praised the emergency workers who intervened at crash sites:

“That is what makes our country great: to set aside that uncertainty and that fear and move towards the problem for somebody else.”

Reflecting on the past 25 years, Caine noted how this experience reshaped his understanding of service.

“I don’t think I understood what it means to serve this country until September 11,” he said, acknowledging the courage and patriotism displayed that day.