That day, the nearest fighter units that could have responded were the D.C. Air Guard at Andrews - but there were no fighters armed for response. The first fighter units that COULD arm and take air patrol were the North Dakota Air National Guard, which was on annual training at Langley AFB. They were relieved by the First Fighter Wing, flying F-16s, later that day. (I heard them on my multiband radio on the Potomac Approach channel).
So, how were they to shoot down a plane with only five minutes’ warning? Or 15?
5 posted on
10/16/2009 8:15:32 PM PDT by
GAB-1955
(I write books, love my wife, serve my nation, and believe in the Resurrection.)
“That day, the nearest fighter units that could have responded were the D.C. Air Guard at Andrews “
The nearest armed fighters were actually the Alert fighters on Cape Cod. They did launch against the PA airliner and were cleared to engage/destroy it. Of course the brave passengers solved that one. I’m sure the guys in the F-16’s were glad to not to have to shoot down a US airliner....