Airborne on 9/11: Defending Cheyenne Mountain

This time last year we heard from Martin "Opus" Richard who was airborne in an F-15 Eagle over Manhattan during the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01.
This year, on the 20th anniversary of that fateful day, we hear from Tim "Conk" Conklin of the Colorado Air National Guard who was also airborne, only in an F-16 Viper and over Denver and Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, far from the actual attacks.
While we now understand who was behind those events and the extent of their plans, the fog of war during the early hours of the attack was almost fatal for "Bob," the unwitting general aviation pilot who took off prior to the attacks and returned only hours later to a much different world...

[@manolog.9962]

I live here in Colorado Springs on the southeast side of the city (I can see Cheyenne Mountain from my house) and the memories of that day are still vivid in my mind. I remember watching the news and how they stated that every plane that was flying over the USA was immediately grounded, so I decided to go outside and look into the skies to see and hear any planes flying overhead. The only planes I heard flying were the sounds of the F-16 fighter jets patrolling over the city. After watching this video I can now put a face to one of the pilots who was flying over my state and city that day protecting us. Thank you Col. Conklin!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Col. Conklin and countless other pilots, maintainers, and support personnel. Indeed!

[@scootertooter6874]

You and I must have been neighbors...I lived across the side street from the Safeway on South Academy...we moved north in 2017 (Flying Horse). LOVE driving the Porsche up and down NORAD road!

[@kholmar]

I lived just over the ridge off of Cheyenne Meadows Road near I-25 I remember hearing those 16s One evening, I saw a helicopter flying and I grabbed my aircraft band handheld and tuned it to the guard freq and heard someone at Ft. Carson challenging them they stated that they were a police helicopter transporting a human organ for transplant between two hospitals they were warned that there were fighters overhead and one of these 16 pilots came on and said something like "yep, we are listening, you are good, just don't approach the mountain" (I paraphrased that, it was a long time ago) what a WEIRD week...

[@drakeanton2000]

Howdy from monument

[@RckyMtneer]

I remember seeing that AWACS plane as it would come from the east, do a 180 over ColoSpgs, and head back east.... all day.

[@therogueadmiral]

"Bob, the world has changed since you took off." What a line. A terrifying situation for everyone involved, I'm sure.

[@eddiebear34]

The full world changed in a short space of time. The whole world saw what happened. EXCEPT the people directly involved... on board the airliners

[@jaywilliamson9860]

I'm gonna guess Bob also had to change his pants when he landed.

[@bettierusso5410]

"How were the family's taking this?" OMG! I am a normal citizen but my Daddy was NOT. He was on Omaha Beach, had the Liberator medal for 1st jeep into Dachau, Special Services, 2 purple hearts, and the Silver Star. He died of cancer on 9/8/2001. His funeral was on 9/11. My husband and son were in the air hours before this all happened coming to Oklahoma for his funeral. I was waiting for the Limo's to come to pick us up when I saw the attack on the World Trade Center. My husband and son made it there about 3 hours before it all happened. My husband is Italian with a family that worked in the Towers. After the service, I was told by the airport that I could not take him home for burial as his remains are just "Cargo". Then, I was told that I had to " surrender" his medals and flag on his casket to the airport police (4 days later). They said, " the pin on the back of the medals could be used on the plain for an attack". I REFUSED to give them up and completely came unglued. I literally called the Head office of Veterans Affairs in Washington DC. Told them,( had a meltdown,) and some wonderful Commanding Officer called me back in about 10 minutes! He told me that " Your father was a War Hero. We have a plot reserved for him at Arlington and if you can tell me where you are, we will dispatch a jet to pick him up and take him." I Cannot, to this day say THANK YOU enough for all that you do for our freedom. As you can see, this family was DEVASTATED and very thankful for your protection! May God Bless you all for your service, and God Bless and Help the USA.

[@troyr57]

Hopefully this podcast will follow up with you on this. Thank your father for his service.

[@JbrShaya]

That's a fascinating story. I'm sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing

[@kristine8338]

@@JbrShaya Thank you and your family for risking your lives in order to liberate the Concentration Camps and return peace and democracy in Europe. From a Belgian woman, living in France 🇫🇷✡️🇮🇱.

[@mrlaw711]

However, you still had to deal with the rectum mites who were disrespecting your father and family. Not all Americans are equal in their valor or convictions. Your father would have been very proud of you.

[@bettierusso5410]

@@mrlaw711 Thank You Sir; More than you could ever know. Our Freedom is NOT FREE, and it is because of you wonderful young men that selflessly give freedom your all so we can sleep at night. I will respect and keep you all in my prayers. THANK YOU. I hope he is proud of me, but he sure knows his baby girl loves him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@donwillhoit6866]

We lived in Denver on 9/11. It was frightening. All my wife and I can say is thank you Conk for you and your squadron's service to us. You don't know who we are but are willing to make that sacrifice. Fantastic interview.

[@PontiacBanker]

Great interview. My brother was stationed at Cheyenne Mountain on 9/11/01. He was at home when they got locked down & was told to wait there until they opened back up. The world indeed changed that day!

[@NexusPain]

Crazy to think how a snarky answer to a radio call could have killed you that day...

[@dankissling4373]

Pilots are definitely known for being smart asses lol

[@specag31]

“American Zero zero Niner, return to DIA immediately, turn left to heading Zero Niner.” “Denver Control, is that you Smitty? You douche, go choke yourself.” “American Zero zero Niner, this is the F-16 off your starboard. I highly advise you turn before I make these the most unfriendly skies and ruin your entire day. Red Dog Leader.” “Red dog Leader, copy, executing turn now. American Zero Zero Niner. “

[@ladyscholar3421]

Thank you, Conk, for protecting the air while we were protecting the ground. I was a firefighter/EMT on duty that morning in Fountain, Colorado. CAFS and Ft Carson are in our response area. It was quite a chaotic day, but we all did what we were trained to do. We had several medical calls due to the anxiety and fear of the attacks that day and a few of our FFs hopped on a plane a few days later flying FTC personnel out to NYC to assist. It was interesting to see everyone working together as we did. Now, as an academician, I oversee, write, and teach upcoming first responders and homeland security personnel. My whole career path changed that day. Great interview!

[@cankzilla]

Such an amazing story!! The part where you got the order "Red Eye 2, snap 330 ,max forward velocity, threat to Denver, 25 miles NW of Denver headed to the city" just was another level to what the Country had to do that day. I have never been in the military but always proud of those who serve and especially hearing about combat ready air stories! Thank you for all you guys did and continue to do!

[@randomdude4505]

I was an active duty enlisted marine stationed at Miramar on 9/11. One of the hardest things for me to get used to was looking up and seeing F/A-18s with live ordinance flying over San Diego. My civilian friends never why that bothered me.

[@jamesmterrell]

Thanks to both of you. I lived and worked in Northern Virginia on 9/11. I had been out of the Navy 10 1/2 years and was frustrated I couldn't do anything except be the best civilian I could be.

[@72floyd]

Wow. I can't believe there wasn't standard protocol for protection for NORAD in place. In my naivete I believed there was always fully prepped and loaded assets in place to protect Cheyenne Mountain. As a Navy aviation vet I would think there was an "Alert 5" asset available for emergency coverage. God bless these guys. Reminds me of those Air Corps pilots who managed to launch during Pearl Harbor.

[@Cat-ik1wo]

No matter how light they keep the conversation. Its whats between the lines that affects me. It always brings tears to my eyes. Its whats not being said, its the silence in between, that makes my heart skip a beat.

[@casparwhittey]

Amazing story. As a Denver high schooler at the time, I vividly remember this morning. It was a big motivator for joining the Navy a year later. I'm very proud of the professionalism described here. Also, as I grew up around Jefco / Rocky Mountain metro, I'm not at all surprised to hear about Bob.. Haha!

[@dalezjc]

I live in Colorado Springs, and I remember walking out to go to lunch on 9/11 and very vividly remember hearing jets in the sky above the city. We just assumed they were military, but we had no way of knowing. Awesome video.

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

On that day, my wife and I were both working for a major US airline headquartered in the largest state East of the Mississipi. She worked in the main offices. I worked om their mainenance area, mostly writing calibration procedures. One of the guys was from Brooklyn, and got a call from family about the "horrible accident" at the WTC. The TV in the break room was on for the rest of the day. When the second aircraft hit, every one of us who was a military veteran simultaneously said "Oh S**t, we are at war!" We were all told to go home about midafternoon. Walking outside was one of my wierdest experiences ever. Outside the hangar, and there was absolutely no aircraft in the air, and not a single sound of jet engines. At one of the largest and busiest airports in North America. Surreal. Aftermath: one of our guys was on vacation with his wife, in Aruba. Because of the shutdown they were forced to spend another week there - - we did try to feel sorry for them. I am prior service: Marines 1967-1973, first three years active duty, next three years active Reserve in the office of VMF-321. Followed by (a long time later) six years in the Air Force Reserve as an avionics maintainer with 315th MAW, on C-141s. It has been good for me to watch your view of that day. And i'm glad to hear that "Bob" got down safely.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks, Graeme. Great story!

[@dfdemt]

Wow. Absolutely riveting story. I’ve watched it multiple times. Every now and then there’s just a podcast interview that’s GOOD. This is one.

[@macedk]

Thanks for this video and thank you to Tim "Conk" Conklin. You provided safety that day and beyond. From Copenhagen Denmark.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Tusind tak.

[@macedk]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Du er velkommen :)

[@edmallon2851]

Was working in Denver that day just west of downtown and saw you guys flying. Thank you for keeping us civilians safe

[@richjones859]

Glad you are doing these videos, especially enlight of recent cluster F…ks. Interesting too as I see Cheyenne mountain from my deck…. Long story short was in 1/75 Ranger battalion when 9/11 happened and immediately after we where armed and at the gates of Hunter Army Airfield until we where stood down.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks for your service, Rich.

[@richjones859]

@D Open, then that quickly changed after 9/11

[@richjones859]

@@FighterPilotPodcast You to Brother.

[@lnaesll]

RLTW brother.

[@williamordway2872]

Thank you for your service sir! It can't be easy looking at that beautiful mountain, sometimes hearing the chimes if the winds are right and seeing the beautiful sun at all times of day. I visited there again two years ago with my husband who had never been there for about the 6th or 7th time to see the fabulous zoo, some of my favorite pull-offs as you drive up to the top where the religious site is (I'm sorry my memory is damaged and I've only been to the site once as Mom wouldn't take me there when it was just she and I and I was late grade school age) but I was quite moved. From the daughter of USMC 1 directly to you sir, I truly thank you again! Maybe you need to move to a different local such as a nice long, sloping prairie that grows wheat that can go into many different products and has many other interesting job opportunities!

[@JasonSmith-pe5py]

I was at that Bronco game. Eddie McCaffrey broke his leg during that game.That game saved some people's lives in NY,Ive seen-who were up late watching the Giants,& slept in late,instead of making it to work on time,or just called in sick hungover. We also thought later,if those terrorists had really been smart-crashing 2 planes into Mile High on MNF on national TV would've caused even more human carnage. If you crashed 1 basically at both end zones-you'd think you could trap & kill most of us 75,000 or so.

[@wwu21]

What a great interview. Thx for telling and thx for putting this footage up. Brings back the moments.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome.

[@fieryweasel]

At the time I was in the Marine Corps, stationed at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. I'd graduated several months earlier from the Arabic and French courses and was teaching in the ME1 school. When I was first assigned to Arabic (in 1999) they told me "don't feel bad, every couple of years there's a hostage situation or something, we'll find something for you to do". I started that day as an instructor and ended the day doing an armed patrol through the nature preserve that butted up against the base. It was a surreal time, and it's always interesting to hear about the experience of others on that day.

[@citizenblue]

God-bless anyone who serves this great country. Thank you to all those who have served overseas and here at home ever since that fateful day. And thank you for sharing this with us.

[@TedGravlin]

I think I may have run into "Conk" at Buckley a short time after 9/11. I was a pilot for the Colorado Wing of CAP at the time and we had a couple planes hangered at Buckley in the same building as the Base Ops where flight briefings are done. Sometime in October 2001 I was in getting a briefing and flight clearance and there were a couple F-16 guys that we were chatting with. Somehow 9/11 came up in our conversation and the fighter guys said something about the Denver TRACON controllers saying "You're the only airplanes in CO right now" and how eerie and strange that was. When he said it in this podcast, it reminded me of the similar conversation a few weeks afterward.

[@larrym7711]

That interview makes me proud to be an U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran . The U.S. military is full of good people ready to serve and protect the nation at a moments notice . God bless everyone that serves and that has served .

[@leighlabbie8028]

Thank you for sharing and being there for us. Always! 🇺🇸

[@rah1420usa]

Incredible pivot from peacetime to a totally defensive footing. Thanks for sharing. Great insights.

[@miatfitz]

God Bless all these folks who were involved with this dreadful day. Thank You for your service. ( This from an Aussie who watched in horror, having spent her honeymoon in New York City ten years before)

[@davidmoffitt5681]

An amazing story about the guys who are the tip of the spear. We all need to acknowledge the service they provided on that day and every other day when we don't see the cover and safety they provide. Thank you for your service.

[@hilaigofast1053]

It's always interesting to hear what other service members were doing that day.

[@acars9999]

Great video! This brought back a lot of memories from that day. Thanks for your service Conk!

[@Talon-R]

Awesome and informative podcast. Also, to Conk... thanks for your service.

[@chuckprice4541]

This may be my favorite video you have done and I have enjoyed many.

[@korlilkatana7653]

I know this is late but thank you to each of you. I learned a lot about that day just now. As an F-16 guy very cool!!

[@markbrown4442]

Great stories as usual, Jello. God bless to all and know that your friends downunder in Australia always stand ready, by your side.

[@spacebear49]

Amazing story. Something too many people have forgotten.

[@macedk]

Us that lived through that time, will never forget. Just a civilian from Denmark but I thought "if White house is hit, this is "WW3". I worked at Copenhagen airport airside and next day we had police with rifles all over, was crazy to see. I wanted to go to New York and help with search but there was no chance. Back then, police had sidearms and soft hat for day to day stuff, Today it's bulletproof west at all times and rifle and riot gear is in the car. That day changed everything.

[@spacebear49]

@@macedk glad to hear our allies took it seriously and remember. Too many people here in the US seem to have forgotten or not learned enough from it.

[@Andrew-he5gj]

Fantastic interview

[@jamesparthun3529]

Thank you for your service. You are so humble. Your a hero

[@Tacticaldave1]

I was a pipeline patrol pilot flying on 9/11. I will never forget my boss calling to tell me to come back home and land immediately because the airspace had been shut down. I suppose that was SCATANA.

[@trb7153]

Conk, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

[@patricklowe4970]

Nice job sir explaining the process. I'm impressed. Well done!

[@ersaviation3031]

It's amazing to hear people's perspectives on that day. I was born in July of 2001 in Estes Park, CO so I don't remember anything of that day but it blows me away that all this happened and how much changed.

[@dongraf1222]

Great interview. There was a story about AF One being escorted near Louisiana on 9/11. They recieve reports that two aircraft are closing in quickly on their location and they have no idea who it is and are getting concerned. George W. Bush looks out the window and sees 2 F-16s appear on their wing with the tail flash of his old Texas Air National Guard unit. Be interesting to hear the story from one of those pilots.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Maybe next year!

[@seanobrien798]

A friend of mine worked in Denver Center on 9/11/01. He told me, in about 2015, he heard the exchange between the pilot and the F-16 that appeared on the AWACS radar.

[@isaaclarson]

Thank you for sharing this story. I was only 11 at the time; I'm sure our Guard Base (122nd) also was standing alert for the three days when everything was grounded. We had F16s at the time.

[@kurtanderson1463]

I recall very clearly the skies over Denver/Colorado Springs that day. I live under the former "Frisk" intersection and remember the news, then the GA aircraft flocking back to the local GA airports and thinking the SHHTF. Then the Buckley F-16s tearing around the sky. It was loud and fast for several hours but a clear blue beautiful Colorado day. As a former GA IP at both Buckley and Patterson, I am still proud to know that a few of my students were up there doing their jobs. One an F-16 driver at Buckley, another an AWACS pilot. While it was a tragic day that we were totally unprepared for, knowing the folks at Buckley, the outcome was predictable. Good job guys! If you have some old IFR charts feel free to push them up over my house, it's always appreciated.

[@mikeholmstrom1899]

Out here in San Jose CA, local news showed an commercial airline flight en route from Hawaii to SFO getting a 2 F-16 escort on the last leg of flight, they were over the Pacific when the airspace shutdown happened. Also, I spoke to a San Jose Police officer, who flew on the helicopter unit. He said that the closed airspace made it much easier flying for a few days, since SJC, SFO, OAK, and a few GA airports normally made it rather busy airspace around here.

[@JWSSpeedo]

Fresno sent those planes. Air guard

[@SonnySonOfSimp]

Good stuff sir. Thank you.

[@jasonsotelo1234]

Please do interviews with pilots from the Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia Air National Guards please. It would also be interesting to hear what it was like for ANG pilots on the other side of the country at units of California, Oregon, Texas or even Hawaii. I loved hearing the perspective of both the Mass and COANG pilots, would love to hear more.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks, Jason, but we certainly do not want to be a dead horse.

[@JamesDavis-mm2mi]

Not a a pilot but I live in Hampton roads VA where we have Air Force and navy fighter bases in close proximity. I’ll put it to you this way, they were cleared super sonic to get to the DC area as fast as they could and my understanding is the navy had F18s there in half an hour. It was like small explosions constantly going off. Every plane capable of flight that day was in the air. You will never see anything like it again

[@rgbeee.1826]

Superb individual, thank you for your service!

[@butnugit]

Great stuff, thank you! I'm guessing Bob is responsible for one of the six 'dislikes' at the time of this comment?

[@carlnash7200]

Thank you for your service.

[@aviationavenue2261]

Very Inspiring Jell-O! Also, what kind of AirPods are you wearing?

[@kennethohnemus3192]

Thank you so much for this video. As a Washington National guard member I showed up to a weekend drill in the end of July and didn't get home until the middle of September

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

What kept you in August?

[@kennethohnemus3192]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Forest fires in north central Washington state in 1994. I was a fueler driver/Operator and they needed diesel fuel for the fire trucks and National Guard Convoys

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@kennethohnemus3192 👍

[@kennethohnemus3192]

@@FighterPilotPodcast It was a historic fire season in the Wenatchee National forest. Most of the National guard units were activated by the Governor.

[@tomriley5790]

Great podcast!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks!

[@michaelerfurth4891]

Dear Vincent, i like your YT-Channel it is great. I'm Impressed by your Interviews on 9/11 . It was a day I will never forget. The terrorists did not achieve their goals with these cowardly, underhanded attacks.The victims of United, American in particular United 93 are unforgotten, as all other civilians, police officers and firefighters. NYC shines brighter than before. God bless you and America . All the best from Germany. ✌

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thank you, Michael

[@dankissling4373]

cue long winded comment lol This video has special significance to me as my Dad's oldest sisters family lived just outside Denver on that day, THANK YOU and all our other Brothers and Sisters who protected my family on that day. One of my biggest memories was thinking back on 9/11 on 9/12 as I am a Nebraska native and was home on 9/11 and hearing that Bush had spent a lot of time at Offutt so unbeknownst to most of the world I shared a good chunk of the 9/11 experience with The President being in my homestate for awhile. Then Bush became the 1st President that I swore an oath to obey orders from, and as the coincidence continues I ended up living in Dallas after I got back from Iraq pretty close to Bush's post Presidency Dallas home. Craziest thing is that the story doesn't even end there. Later, the night that it was officially announced that we had finally killed OBL I had the opportunity to go and hang out at the gate that goes back to his street with some other people and some Dallas Police Officers (had been called in just in case, no problems occurred that night). A victorious night for our country spent close to the President years and years removed from a day spent close to the President in my own backyard as a nation now at war. I probably would have ended up in the DOD eventually but that day majorly accelerated those plans, if it weren't for it being difficult for a 6th grader to pass as an 18 year old I probably would have been in the recruiting station the very next day. I remember talking to my Grandpa on the phone and imagining what it must be like to now have experienced not just 1 but 2 cowardly attacks on our country in a single lifespan, it just occurred to me watching this video that my life story is actually a lot like my Grandpa's. Both of use were young when our nation was cowardly attacked, both of us woke up those days without a clue that we would very shortly be going to war ourselves in The US Army. He went to war for 3 years in The Pacific, I went to war in The Middle East for 10 months. He kept his dress uniform suit coat in good shape and it now hangs next to mine in my closet. His dog tags and my Uncles tags (who served during the Vietnam era) now sit on his desk I inherited from him, in my Uncles jewelry box. Let us never forget, lest we fail to stand steadfastly vigilant against evil and the inescapable impact it has if left unstopped.

[@bernardanderson3758]

On that day the we was working right behind the Flight Center and the aircraft wasn’t flying in and out of the airport and it was so strange not hearing the planes flying in and out until we got the phone call saying the World Trade Center is under attack. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day for me and thank you for sharing this story

[@jonathonmcrae5671]

Struck with tears on that last statement. Had to take a listen to this again as tonight is September 10th. Thanks for your service Jello, and Conk.

[@freemandiaz5123]

Hate to say this but research Maj Gen Smedley Butler. Thanks for your willingness, Col Conk! (Edit, sorry, do disrespect intended.)

[@richardhowe5583]

My son was an F-16 crew chief at Shaw Air Force base when it happened.. I can't remember when I got in touch with him but he told me he had his F-16 in the air fully loaded in 2 minutes and I think 46 seconds.. thanks to all of our brave men and women that serve in our military.. I support my military 100% And I wish I could say the same for Washington DC.. thank you Colonel for telling your story because I really enjoyed it..😮😊

[@jimough2441]

Thank You, Conk!

[@Capt_OscarMike]

Sounds like BOB felt entitled due to knowing the guys or a guy at the controlled GA field they referred to. However, what most people may not realize is with BOB descending and probably was never more than 3500-5000 AGL ...it is possible that BOB was "dialed in" to the local GA field UNICOM...Considering the F-16 pilot having so much info racing through his head...racing towards the "BOGEY"...hoping for the best but preparing for the worst he had a ton of crap going on plus coms with AWACs, going back & forth with Homey, approaching the GA plane near Mach speed...he probably had to use his airbrakes and admitted he basically had to spiral down, pulling High G's just to keep from overshooting or flying past BOB...I will assume Bob was probably 2500ft AGL or so and when this F-16 pilot calls out to BOB and tells him to land ASAP...Maybe he didn't ID himself in any way other than calling out Bob's N # (for example say it was 234CP) and the initial exchange went something like, "234CP are you preparing to land"...Bob may not have known who it was talking to him....he was expecting to hear his buddies voice and at least have the ID of who is calling him....but considering what the F-16 pilot was dealing with and what he had to do just to slow down to position behind him barely above the F-16's stall speed...it's possible Bob's seemingly smirk remark was due to being confused on who in the world is calling him out...for all he knew it could have been someone on the ground with a handheld radio that most GA pilot's had with them for back-up at that time...Not knowing of the events when Bob heard the guy basically ask a question in a statement ..."234CP you ARE or you WILL LAND IMMEDIATELY"...being a GA pilot in that area and rather well known it seems, maybe a charter flight he was probably in the right to give that response...Imagine your flying through the valleys of the Rocky Mountains for nearly 4 hours and are 10-15 minutes at most from your home FBO to have someone call out, not from the local FBO and without ID'ing himself initially (which was probably SOP in such a situation)...Bob was probably perturbed, not knowing the gravity of the situation or how close he almost came to meeting gravity personally in big way...having someone bark orders at you when you are doing the same thing you have done 100s of times before is what I think what happened...when the EPIC RESPONSE WAS BARKED BACK..., "...IF YOU DO NOT COMPLY, LOOK OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER...THAT'S ME AND I WILL BLOW YOU OUT OF THE SKY..."...The F-16 pilot had NO Time to justify himself or give BOB "Breaking News"...so he gave a command that a civilian GA pilot is not used to and has never heard in Bob's probably 1000s of hours of flight time...GREAT JOB by ATC to jump in and reaffirm the command and to take over any further discussions...I'm sure the F-16 stayed on his wing until he was down...I also imagine when BOB reached his airfield it was filled with GA and possibly some small commercial planes from the Tarmac down the taxiways, etc...Bob probably landed and quickly ran to the restroom and lost about 5lbs realizing what had just occurred... Lastly, those who think this Officer broadcasted classified information I can assure those who believe that are clueless...yes NORAD has redundant locations and Cheyenne absolutely could withstand a direct impact into the "main" entrance of the facility...However, I believe what he was referring to was the "lines of communication" were never built to withstand a direct attack of a 737 filled with fuel...even a nuclear attack would render all outside communication moot...so that part would have been down but the people and the primary command and control center would have never been touched....they would have had to use more localized redundant facilities...and to get them on-line would have taken a while... Of course, just my opinion...I could be wrong...

[@CAPEjkg]

It's amazing just how many GA pilots are not in comms with anyone. 20 years later and it still hurts even more now with ending 20 years in Afghanistan , lots of memories. Semper Fi!

[@CAPEjkg]

@T.J. Kong you are absolutely correct, at least monitor 121.5. I should have been more precise instead of using a broad brush.

[@Doug_Grizzly_Miller]

Being a contractor working in Cheyenne Mountain during this time, I miss having the jets over the area. We appreciated all their sacrifices and time spent protecting not only the mountain but also the Colorado Metropolitan area's. We (military, civilians and contractors) spent many hours on duty anticipating for the next thing to happen. Quite a few of us were Desert Storm / Shield veterans and we realize that the world has changed. So Thank you Colorado Air National Guard!!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Hear hear.

[@solodad7999]

I just came off a graveyard patrol shift and had been asleep an hour when my then wife , a flight attendant for Delta frantically called me and told me to turn on the tv. Luckilly she was on the ground and i watched #2 hit the tower and knew we were at war.

[@L8nitedave]

I had a friend on Nat Gaurd duty in Indiana that said they didn't fly until the 12th. My brother in law was running the drill that day from Andrews which we didn't know because it was top secret. But my sister was sure he wasn't at the Pentagon because he was happy when he left that morning. His secure line never rang so obviously everyone knew where he was, but we didn't see or hear from him for two days. My sister was in Virginia and my Mom in Fayetteville so there was zero phone communication available between those places, we all communicated by e-mail.

[@billybuttons4298]

Secretary of Defense wasn't Dick Cheney at the time. If I'm not mistaken, guy Dick was the Vice President. And Donny Rums was Sec Def.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

If you listen closely he doesn’t confuse that fact, just says it ambiguously

[@stephendoing2253]

Pilots are smart guys! Glad you were there.

[@Cody-zd2ye]

Never forget that day as long as I live as well as Lockerbie. Bless you guys

[@jessicacarnahan6924]

I worked on Paine field- we had commercial passenger airplanes landing at a repair facility and Boeing- it was so scary- we ended up unloading people and going home. Thank you!!

[@hav2win]

More people need to hear the Col.'s story and the crazy circumstances he was thrown into on that disastrous day in U.S. history. We are forever grateful to all the personal who helped ensure the safety of America on 9/11.

[@susanschaffner4422]

These stories add to the complete scenario of Sept 11th. So many were called to duty and did it well.

[@charlescoulson]

Gut wrenching stuff. With the benefit of hindsight we know that thankfully the precautions outlined here were not required, but at the time America appeared to be under attack.My heart goes out to all the guys and girls involved in this very volatile situation. How hard was that. Well done all.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thank you, Charles. Well said.

[@thomasdaily4363]

"Are you going to be landing?" "Maybe, I don't know. What if I don't?" Oh, you're gonna land, I promise. The SECDEF said so.

[@paulw.4834]

Thank God for all of the pilots & personnel who made those CAPs work to protect our Nation.

[@RedHotMessResell]

A horrifying once in a lifetime, but…. Had to be an unforgettable once in a lifetime flight with a completely clear airspace.

[@ltv..123]

I grew up in Denver, you make me proud……

[@dfdemt]

I can’t imagine the position these guys were in. I, as part of my job, make life and death decisions on the regular, but this is a whole other level. Massive respect to these guys.

[@The_ZeroLine]

*_Bob, the world has changed since you took off._* That would’ve terrified me as I would be imagining something worse than terrorists, which I wouldn’t have believed could take down 200+ stories worth of skyscraper at the time.

[@R__K]

I was stationed at Ft. Carson back then. It was night and day 9/10 to 9/12 as far as control measures... getting on and off base especially. That morning, came back from PT and my roommate had news on and told me to come see it. I thought it was a movie at first but was called back into unit right after seeing that news. Our unit's motor pool was on a hill there at Ft. Carson so our commander had us get our issued weapon (M-4/M-9/M-16, mine was the M-16) and head to motor pool. We were then told to look out for commercial airliners flying towards NORAD antennae and TRY and shoot them down... with our small arms weapons. Nobody had a clue that day but evetyone wanted to do something. Doing nothing was never an option. I'm now a year out from retirement and have been on USAF side since 2008. My "job" in USAF is guarding America's skies against another 9/11, Russian penetration, and US-Mex border ops. On 9/11, as this retired fighter pilot mentioned, we were strictly looking outward... defending on the coasts and a few spots on US-Can/Mex border but nothing internal to homeland defense. What I do now was about to be getting phased out since Cold War was our #1 priority leading up to 9/11 and it had been technically over since 1991. We now look both outward and inward for that reason. My Eastern counterparts, EADS as the fighter pilot mentioned, were on duty 9/11. (They were NEADS back then... our air defense was quartered so it was NWADS, NEADS, SEADS, and SWADS.) There are a few KZbin videos of audio that morning highlighting their response. Everyone assumed it was exercise not real world and even if real world that it was Russia since, again, that was our outdated Cold War mindset. Maj Deskins, now a retired 2-star general, was MCC that day at NEADS. She did an amazing job reigning in her crew and getting everyone focused on job at hand that day. Thankfully, our job preventing another 9/11 has been successful thus far. I'm thankful for all of my brothers and sisters defending our homeland from the Maj Deskins to this fighter pilot. We all had/have a job to do and we do it without fail. 🇺🇸💯

[@eng1twr]

I just finished the f35 episode so I’m catching up. But an episode on all the trainer planes would be nice. The t7 sounds and looks really kool but that was the first I’ve heard of it

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Yep. We're contemplating a "Trainer Month" but no firm plans yet.

[@bruceholtermann9646]

Thanks Tim, you are an American hero. God bless you.

[@hunter35474]

I was in first grade in Littleton, Colorado (right outside Denver) in 2001. I don't have a clear memory of the day itself (probably a good thing); I was probably getting ready to go to school when it happened. My dad was going on a business trip and wound up stranded at the Denver Airport due to all of the flights being grounded. I do remember that a fighter (probably an F-16) flew over my school at some point between 2001 and 2003, and I definitely remember seeing lots of CH-47 Chinook helicopters (us children called them "flying bananas") in the time period between 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq.

[@juliecasey5196]

My upmost Respect to you all. Stay safe and God bless.🙏

[@johnwinter9722]

So thankful for all of the pilots and crew that protected us following the terrorist attacks. I was in DC at the time and have my own 9/11 story, but these guys were on it. I watched President Bush coming into DC on Marine One from my hotel room near the Capitol. "Bob" was a lucky guy. I am a currently inactive GA pilot and can only imagine the shock at seeing an F16 on my wingtip. Wow. Great story!

[@michaelreed1380]

Thank you Gentlemen.

[@Bebold94]

This was so interesting but it was too short!! Wow, what a day that must have been, what an utterly terrifying day that must've been. I know these men are pretty fearless but to be up there not knowing ANYTHING, getting the shoot down order at the same time ATC says he knows "Bob" the pilot, wow talk about mental, sensory overload. Thank God ATC knew "Bob" and it was eerie to hear what ATC said to him, "Bob, the world has changed since you took off". Haunting. I live in Colorado Springs and I remember hearing the F-16's and saw them twice, it was scary yet comforting to hear them iver and over, I also remember hearing helicopters over and over as well. How strange for NO other airrcraft to be in the sky, well that day and days after were surreal, unforgettable. I also remember how so many many people came together that day, makes all the nutty stuff going on now seem so trivial and whiny. Thank you Col. for your bravery, your service- also for having a cool head and not shooting "Bob" down! What a story, God Bless all who sprang into action on that terrible day.

[@patolt1628]

Awesome! Also mindblowing somehow, regarding Norad facilities "vulnerability"... (I'm not American so I didn't know that) Just a detail: at 17:00 into the video: Dick Cheney has been Secretary of Defense ... in March 1989 up to 1993 or so. On 9-11, he was Vice-President (since January 2001)... Regards

[@markusdaxamouli5196]

Yep..Ronald Rumsfield was SecDef and he was NOT calling the shots on who shot down a Civilian Aircraft. Nor did he want that Honor. No one did. It was supprising he kept consistantly refering to Cheney by name and mis ranked him down to SecDef. Details are important and you were right to point it out. Supprised as well not more caught that after so many retrospectives make a big deal out of recounting VPs role in calling shots on shootdowns that were almost committed...Pennsylvania would have been the first shootdown had the passengers not HEROICALLY TAKEN OVER THAT FLIGHT FROM THE TERRORIIST.

[@cypher1o1]

I don't know how vulnerable the nowadays facility would be but it's one of those things of we not going to find out cause the military just won't let them get close enough to try. Then having a cap would cover other areas like the airforce academy and Denver.

[@jbuck217]

@@markusdaxamouli5196 It's a forgivable mistake. Cheney was SecDef for Bush (41). I listened to another video earlier today that involved lots of radio and telephone traffic with air traffic control and USAF units during 9/11. I distinctly remember the mention of VP Cheney making the shoot/no shoot calls. Don't know if Bush(43) delegated that to him or what.

[@ByleKush]

You people need to watch 9/11 the new pearl harbor that's all i'm going to say.

[@willettej7988]

Just a comment, Donald Rumsfeld was Sec of Defense. Cheney was VP. Thank you for all you gave that day!!

[@Ms.Opinionated]

Thank you for your service. Colorado Rockies are best in Spring and Fall.

[@mrchrislatino]

VP Cheney, SECDEF was Rumsfeld

[@jeffgriff3837]

Ty...🇺🇸

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Welcome.

[@SSaugaCriss]

we flew the south shore of lake superior when airspace opened up on 9/14. sounds like we had some USAF eyes on us.

[@josephjackson7269]

I live in East coast and was watching the news live when first report hit the air . First jets I saw were heading southwest to Washington while lines of planes were lining up to land in Philly . Amazing sight was in a blink of an eye it appeared the skies were empty. We live 20 minutes from Philadelphia airport and are use to seeing non stop flights all day . Picking up our kids by noon from school we remember the final aircraft which I believe were F 15 Eagles make a very low pass coming from McQuire . Very loud as if in afterburners and then silence all day

[@aaronvargas3580]

Generated 16 fully loaded vipers in two hours ! Wow

[@mauryballstein8863]

Bob has no idea how close he was to being dead before he hit the ground lol

[@willlock3644]

Nearly 22 years ago, and I am sitting here in tears thinking about that horrible day. I cannot imagine what these guys were going through….having to even think about the possibility of shooting down an airliner in American airspace. My heart is in my throat hinting about it.

[@edtworek8094]

WOW! Incredible

[@george6634]

i have no idea what date is this interview

[@chaser1956]

Little too much specific information on the military locations. But I hope that they were taking notes on how unprepared we seemed to be, and have fixed all of those mishaps. God bless Col. Conklin and all that were in the air that day .

[@7viewerlogic670]

Thanks.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome.