101st Airborne views the World Trade Center site

Army News Service ^ | 23 Jan 02 | unknown

[Arkie2]

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Jan. 23, 2002) -- An aircraft filled with 101st Airborne Division soldiers en route to Afghanistan circled the World Trade Center disaster site in lower Manhattan last week to remind the troops of why they were deploying. It was the first time since Sept. 11 that the Federal Aviation Administration allowed a commercial plane to fly over the site. Capt. Richard Osborne, pilot of MD-11 World Airways, radioed 20 minutes ahead to coordinate the maneuver and the air traffic controllers were notably moved by the request. "They were happy to do it when we told them the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was on board," said Osborne. "These people are going over there and are literally risking their lives in response to the terror that occurred at that place; it was very significant that they get an opportunity to see it." For the soldiers of Task Force 187 making the trip, it was a reminder of what the mission is all about. "It was definitely a sobering moment, (a reminder) of what we're doing here," said Spc. Raymond Ballance, Company D, 311th Military Intelligence, ground surveillance. "It brought it back to the front of my mind, of why we're doing this, by seeing those two barren sites." Ballance is also prepared to make the sacrifice to help eliminate terrorism. "Hopefully I'll find some bad guys and detain them so we can bring them to justice," said Ballance. Osborne, who was an Army aviator during Vietnam, said he was proud to have the job of flying the "Screaming Eagles" to their destination. "I'm glad we're able to bring them on this leg and what we're really looking forward to is bringing each and every one of them back home," said Osborne. "I was proud when I served in the military and I'm proud of the quality of people who are on board today."

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[MissAmericanPie]

Thanks for posting this, our men in uniform make me so proud to be an American time after time.

[mercy]

You have to look closely to find mercy's ascerbic tidbits these days. I deposit a cogent morsel here and there but get few results. Everybody's too busy playing I guess. I'm too busy to be a major agitator these days. I'll be back.

Nice to hear your voice. Hope all is well.

[M Kehoe]

Stand up, hook up, shuffle to the door.

A "Death from above" bump.

5.56mm

[Orual]

[rdb3]

Stand up, hook up, shuffle to the door.

Jump right out on the count of four!

D--- right! Let's roll!

82d Soldier Support BN, 82d Airborne Division.

[Cboldt]

It was the first time since Sept. 11 that the Federal Aviation Administration allowed a commercial plane to fly over the site.

Not true. I flew over the site on a commercial flight from Dallas, Texas to LaGuardia -- I think somewhere around Oct 10 last year.

I deliberately chose the LaGuardia connection for my return to Maine, and I deliberately asked for widow seating, instead of my preferred aisle seating. My seat was on the RH side of the aircraft. The plane flew at (my guess) about 3,000 - 4,000 feet above the wreckage. I had a perfect view of the clean-up effort, which was almost directly below the flight path -- I doubt we were more than 100 yards off direct overhead.

I can lookup and provide flight details (airline, flight number, date) if it makes a difference.

I am not quibbling with the point of the article, and I was moved (again) by the sight. Every time I get in the NYC area and look at the skyline, my deep sadness and anger are rekindled. Never forget. I think it is a good idea for our soldiers to visit the site on the way to their mission(s).

[Bigg Red]

I think we all as Americans need to be reminded occasionally what happened on 9/11.

Indeed!
Thanks for the flag, Patty. This is a good one.