Military Personnel on 9-11 - what do you remember?

KevinPsalm23v4
KevinPsalm23v4 Posts: 208 Member
in Chit-Chat
I was active duty US Air Force stationed over in Europe at Aviano Air Base (North of Venice ~ 40 miles or 80 Kilometers away). I will never forget that day. It was ~2:30pm our time (~8:30am Eastern) and we (many personnel I worked with) were outside on break. We've been working since 6am because we had about 5 miles of network cable to run - we had to set up comms for a new building.

We finished storing our gear and this young Airman came running outside saying the World Trade Center Tower got hit by a plane. At first we all thought what a horrible tragedy. We came inside to watch the news - soon thereafter we saw the second plane hit - it was then we knew we were under attack. Next came the Pentagon and then the Flight 93 crash - not knowing what else to do some prayed and some cried.

The rest of the day seemed to last for ever - being an ex-cop (US Air Force) I stayed at work for a long time. I got home around 9pm......and then cried, prayed and did what I could to comfort others.

Replies

  • skv1974
    skv1974 Posts: 14 Member
    I was stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY. My husband and I were headed back on post from changing uniforms and breakfast after PT. Their was this huge line at the gate and we couldnt figure out why. We changed the stereo from CD to radio and heard the news. We couldn't dial out on our cell phones and the post was locked down. We finally made it in and saw aircraft circling the base. I made it back to my unit to see that the post was under alert. Humvees from the Infantry units were headed to the post schools and other buildings to secure them and we had to start securing our fenceline around our buildings. We were locked down on post until 11pm that night. One of the brigades was put on alert to deploy if needed and we were helping get them ready. I can remember every minute of that day.
  • gingerheadgirl
    gingerheadgirl Posts: 75 Member
    I was stationed in Fort Hood, TX. We did PT that morning, I went home to shower and change and noticed traffic to get back on base was worse than usual and I heard reports of the first plane hitting on the radio. By the time I got to my unit the second plane had hit and the base was locked down, nobody was getting on or off. I stood guard on the airfield in 12 hour shifts until they told us to go home and pack our bags we were going overseas...so scary.
  • KevinPsalm23v4
    KevinPsalm23v4 Posts: 208 Member
    I was stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY. My husband and I were headed back on post from changing uniforms and breakfast after PT. Their was this huge line at the gate and we couldnt figure out why. We changed the stereo from CD to radio and heard the news. We couldn't dial out on our cell phones and the post was locked down. We finally made it in and saw aircraft circling the base. I made it back to my unit to see that the post was under alert. Humvees from the Infantry units were headed to the post schools and other buildings to secure them and we had to start securing our fenceline around our buildings. We were locked down on post until 11pm that night. One of the brigades was put on alert to deploy if needed and we were helping get them ready. I can remember every minute of that day.

    Thank you for your service!
  • KevinPsalm23v4
    KevinPsalm23v4 Posts: 208 Member
    I was stationed in Fort Hood, TX. We did PT that morning, I went home to shower and change and noticed traffic to get back on base was worse than usual and I heard reports of the first plane hitting on the radio. By the time I got to my unit the second plane had hit and the base was locked down, nobody was getting on or off. I stood guard on the airfield in 12 hour shifts until they told us to go home and pack our bags we were going overseas...so scary.

    Thank you for your service
  • jquijas
    jquijas Posts: 222 Member
    Was actually on a field exercise stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. We heard the commotion and devastation on the radio that morning, we got pulled out of the field and put on 24 hr lock down on base waiting to see if we would be told to just keep our bags packed and get on a plane!
  • KevinPsalm23v4
    KevinPsalm23v4 Posts: 208 Member
    Was actually on a field exercise stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. We heard the commotion and devastation on the radio that morning, we got pulled out of the field and put on 24 hr lock down on base waiting to see if we would be told to just keep our bags packed and get on a plane!

    Thank you for your service!
  • redromad275
    redromad275 Posts: 884 Member
    I was in Airborne School and we were sitting in the Riggers Shed awaiting our second of five jumps. We sat in our rigs for about an hour before all the Black Hats (instructors) told us to de-rig and head back to the barracks. Two of our three aircraft (2 X C-17's) left shortly after to support any priority taskings. We sat in the barracks for three days awaiting word of what we were going to do. Finally that saturday we made two jumps and again on sunday. We got our wings on the drop zone and off we went back to our units. I deployed to Afghanistan shortly after.
  • 5stringjeff
    5stringjeff Posts: 790 Member
    I was stationed at Ft. Lewis. I was waking up to get ready to drive in for PT when the news came on over the radio (at 6AM Pacific time). I sat and watched Fox News for about an hour. Trying to get onto post that day was a nightmare. The day itself was eerily different - the normal hustle and bustle of everyday garrison operations was replaced by a sense of foreboding.
  • KevinPsalm23v4
    KevinPsalm23v4 Posts: 208 Member
    I was in Airborne School and we were sitting in the Riggers Shed awaiting our second of five jumps. We sat in our rigs for about an hour before all the Black Hats (instructors) told us to de-rig and head back to the barracks. Two of our three aircraft (2 X C-17's) left shortly after to support any priority taskings. We sat in the barracks for three days awaiting word of what we were going to do. Finally that saturday we made two jumps and again on sunday. We got our wings on the drop zone and off we went back to our units. I deployed to Afghanistan shortly after.

    Thank you for your service
  • ren_ascent
    ren_ascent Posts: 432 Member
    Prior Air Force as well. I was stationed on Hill AFB working MICAP. Had gone to the flight line to train their supply troops on MICAP procedures when they suddenly escorted me off because I didn't have a line badge. Found out when I got back to my work station. They sent all the civilans home and we were put on automatic 24/7 coverage. After my shift was done I waited for my husband who was working swings for the reserve squadron on base. Have to say it was the worst/longest day of my life. We were scared and angry but mostly scared. Neither of us ended up deploying though despite our squadrons chomping at the bit.
  • KevinPsalm23v4
    KevinPsalm23v4 Posts: 208 Member
    I was stationed at Ft. Lewis. I was waking up to get ready to drive in for PT when the news came on over the radio (at 6AM Pacific time). I sat and watched Fox News for about an hour. Trying to get onto post that day was a nightmare. The day itself was eerily different - the normal hustle and bustle of everyday garrison operations was replaced by a sense of foreboding.

    Thank you for your service!
  • KevinPsalm23v4
    KevinPsalm23v4 Posts: 208 Member
    Prior Air Force as well. I was stationed on Hill AFB working MICAP. Had gone to the flight line to train their supply troops on MICAP procedures when they suddenly escorted me off because I didn't have a line badge. Found out when I got back to my work station. They sent all the civilans home and we were put on automatic 24/7 coverage. After my shift was done I waited for my husband who was working swings for the reserve squadron on base. Have to say it was the worst/longest day of my life. We were scared and angry but mostly scared. Neither of us ended up deploying though despite our squadrons chomping at the bit.

    Thank you for your service!
  • markja
    markja Posts: 270 Member
    I'm Air Force retired. I remember driving to work with my commute partner, an AF Academy grad. We heard the news on the radio and both were shocked. I immediately thought that it was a terrorist attack. I still get a twist in my gut whenever I see a video of the planes crashing into the towers.

    I hate those *kitten*, Al Queda, the terrorist punks, the idiots who believe that they will go to heaven for killing innocent people and kids. I know they're gong to Hell and so do my Muslim friends.

    In the following days, I enjoyed seeing the country come together. For a little while, it felt really good to be an American again. I mean, I always do but, the last time I felt that good was when I returned from Desert Storm.
  • KevinPsalm23v4
    KevinPsalm23v4 Posts: 208 Member
    I'm Air Force retired. I remember driving to work with my commute partner, an AF Academy grad. We heard the news on the radio and both were shocked. I immediately thought that it was a terrorist attack. I still get a twist in my gut whenever I see a video of the planes crashing into the towers.

    I hate those *kitten*, Al Queda, the terrorist punks, the idiots who believe that they will go to heaven for killing innocent people and kids. I know they're gong to Hell and so do my Muslim friends.

    In the following days, I enjoyed seeing the country come together. For a little while, it felt really good to be an American again. I mean, I always do but, the last time I felt that good was when I returned from Desert Storm.

    Thank you for your service!
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    I was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany and worked in the post office. We found out about what happened from customers. After we closed up for the day I had to go back to the barracks, pack some bags and head to the airfield where we sorted our mail at. We stayed there on lockdown for almost two weeks working at the gate checking vehicles coming in.
  • KevinPsalm23v4
    KevinPsalm23v4 Posts: 208 Member
    I was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany and worked in the post office. We found out about what happened from customers. After we closed up for the day I had to go back to the barracks, pack some bags and head to the airfield where we sorted our mail at. We stayed there on lockdown for almost two weeks working at the gate checking vehicles coming in.

    Thank you for your service!
  • jquijas
    jquijas Posts: 222 Member
    I was active duty US Air Force stationed over in Europe at Aviano Air Base (North of Venice ~ 40 miles or 80 Kilometers away). I will never forget that day. It was ~2:30pm our time (~8:30am Eastern) and we (many personnel I worked with) were outside on break. We've been working since 6am because we had about 5 miles of network cable to run - we had to set up comms for a new building.

    We finished storing our gear and this young Airman came running outside saying the World Trade Center Tower got hit by a plane. At first we all thought what a horrible tragedy. We came inside to watch the news - soon thereafter we saw the second plane hit - it was then we knew we were under attack. Next came the Pentagon and then the Flight 93 crash - not knowing what else to do some prayed and some cried.

    The rest of the day seemed to last for ever - being an ex-cop (US Air Force) I stayed at work for a long time. I got home around 9pm......and then cried, prayed and did what I could to comfort others.

    And Thank You for your Service!
  • FitGal4ever42
    FitGal4ever42 Posts: 265 Member
    Not military but want to thank each and every one of you that serve and have served. :flowerforyou:

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