On September 11, 2001, America’s military rapidly swung into action as the nation came under attack. Among those leading the response was Gen. Dan Caine, then chief of Weapons and Tactics for the 121st Fighter Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
Gen. Caine recounted to CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell how he had been in a meeting when news broke of a plane striking the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The situation escalated when the second plane hit the South Tower at 9:03 a.m., confirming an attack on the nation.
“I knew right away that our nation was under attack, and we began to move right into action immediately,” Caine recalled.
This prompted the squadron to prepare for combat. Orders were given to ready weapons, including air-to-air missiles, as the Pentagon smoldered in the distance.
An urgent call from the White House instructed Caine’s squadron to defend Washington, D.C. The rules of engagement were lenient. Orders included intercepting United Flight 93, hijacked with plans to strike a federal building in Washington, D.C. This plan failed when brave passengers intervened, crashing the plane in a Pennsylvania field.
Among the squadron’s pilots were Lt. Col. Mark Sasseville and wingman Heather Penney. Deployed so quickly, some planes weren’t armed with missiles. The pilots made the fateful decision to ram their aircraft if necessary.
“But it was clear what needed to be done that morning,” Penney stated.
Gen. Caine’s jet was missile-equipped. He departed knowing he might need to shoot down a commercial airliner. With a command ordering any noncompliant aircraft over Washington, D.C. to be shot down immediately, Caine acknowledged the weight of this responsibility.
“I remember thinking, ‘Wait a minute, that’s me that’s going to do the shooting here,'” Caine noted.
His imperative was to act decisively amidst chaos, maintain his composure, and protect the country. Fortunately, due to the courageous passengers of United Flight 93, Washington, D.C. was spared direct impact.
Caine commended these passengers and emergency responders, recognizing their bravery and sacrifice.
“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 in those dark, dark moments,” Caine praised.
Reflecting on September 11, Gen. Caine acknowledged how the experience transformed his understanding of service.
“I don’t think I understood what it means to serve this country until September 11,” Caine shared.
As the nation remembers the events of that day, the examples set by those who responded remain significant, offering lessons in courage and patriotism.