There seems to be quite a debate regarding the ability and mission of Andrews on 9/11.
I am of the opinion a military standdown was in effect on that day, and assets capable of intercepting highjacked planes were either downplayed, not called into action on a timely basis, or intentionally sent the wrong way.
Andrews Air Force base has a web site which seems to clearly state its mission objective and capabilities (Pre 9/11)
My intent here is to deal with flight 77, and its reason for not being intercepted prior to impacting the Pentagon at roughly 9:37 on 9/11.
First some details regarding Andrews.
It is in close proximity to the White House, the Capitol, and the Pentagon. It is the official airport of the US Government.
It is and has been used for takeoffs and landings of foreign heads of state and dignitaries. In short, it can be said it is a vitally important installation.
Langley is 129 miles away.
This was on the Andrews website in April of 2001:
DCANG MISSION
To provide combat units in the highest
possible state of readiness. We will support
the Air Force and other DOD agencies. We
will provide operational support to our
local communities whenever possible.
DCANG is the District of Columbia Air National Guard and was equipped with F16 fighters, which according to the mission statement were"in the highest possible state of readiness".
Andrews was also, at that time, home to the F/A -18 Hornet, flown by Marine fighter attack squadron 321, and "Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49, Detachment A, provides maintenance and supply functions necessary to maintain a force in readiness. " [DC Military]
F16's have a "published" top spped of 1500MPH, so an intercept even 130 miles out could be accomplished in well under 6 minutes at top speed.
Published reports place the time of flight 77 having its transponder turned off as 8:56 on the morning of 9/11.
The FAA seems to have several rules, if not more, in place to deal with emergencies:
According to the FAA manual, an aircraft emergency exists "when there is unexpected loss of radar contact and radio communication with any aircraft" [FAA Order 7110.65M]
"Emergency Determinations: If... you are in doubt that a situation constitutes an emergency or potential emergency, handle it as though it were an emergency." [FAA Order 7110.65M]
These seem very straightforward and easily understood.
Several other statements that seem to back up the state of readiness, and also that fighters there were actually scrambled
"Air defense around Washington is provided mainly by fighter planes from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland near the District of Columbia border. The D.C. Air National Guard is also based there and equipped with F-16 fighter planes, a National Guard spokesman said. But the fighters took to the skies over Washington only after the devastating attack on the Pentagon..." [San Diego Union-Tribune 9/12/01]
It was after the attack on the Pentagon that the Air Force then decided to scramble F-16s out of the DC National Guard Andrews Air Force Base to fly cover, a--a protective cover over Washington, DC." [NBC Nightly News 9/11/01]
"A few moments [after the Pentagon attack] ... overhead, fighter jets scrambled from Andrews Air Force Base and other installations." [Denver Post, 9/11/01
These reports and the Base mission statements seem to confirm that fighters were there, were at a high state of readiness, and actually were scrambled on 9/11.
Now, the 10 million dollar question is, obviously, why after reports state that 77 had transponder turned off at 8:56, did these "in the highest state of readiness F16's not intercept 77 having 45 minutes to do so.
Allowing even 10 minutes from a call to scramble to being airborn (erring on the side of moderation) did these units not intercept 77 with an eternity to do so.
We know, according to Cheney that the secret service had open lines of communication with the FAA at 8:45(impact of flight 11) So its not a stretch that by 8:56 with 77 turning off transponder, and already an impact, that a terrorist attack was in progress.
At 9:06 Washington notified all facilities(air control) that 77 had been highjacked.
It is unfathonable that with all the time in the world considering the 1500mph capability of ready aircraft only 10 miles from the Pentagon that these assets werent scrabled by 9:10 at the latest, if not sooner. If for no other reason than to provide an umbrella over DC and all the vital targets in the vicinity. As by this time two attacks had already taken place by rogue, highjacked aircraft.
Its hard not to come to the conclusion (when the above information is considered, along with the testimony of Mineta involving an incoming plane, and Cheney's baffling statements regarding it)that a military standown wasnt ordered, and likely by Cheney himself, at least as regards flight 77.
I am of the opinion a military standdown was in effect on that day, and assets capable of intercepting highjacked planes were either downplayed, not called into action on a timely basis, or intentionally sent the wrong way.
Andrews Air Force base has a web site which seems to clearly state its mission objective and capabilities (Pre 9/11)
My intent here is to deal with flight 77, and its reason for not being intercepted prior to impacting the Pentagon at roughly 9:37 on 9/11.
First some details regarding Andrews.
It is in close proximity to the White House, the Capitol, and the Pentagon. It is the official airport of the US Government.
It is and has been used for takeoffs and landings of foreign heads of state and dignitaries. In short, it can be said it is a vitally important installation.
Langley is 129 miles away.
This was on the Andrews website in April of 2001:
DCANG MISSION
To provide combat units in the highest
possible state of readiness. We will support
the Air Force and other DOD agencies. We
will provide operational support to our
local communities whenever possible.
DCANG is the District of Columbia Air National Guard and was equipped with F16 fighters, which according to the mission statement were"in the highest possible state of readiness".
Andrews was also, at that time, home to the F/A -18 Hornet, flown by Marine fighter attack squadron 321, and "Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49, Detachment A, provides maintenance and supply functions necessary to maintain a force in readiness. " [DC Military]
F16's have a "published" top spped of 1500MPH, so an intercept even 130 miles out could be accomplished in well under 6 minutes at top speed.
Published reports place the time of flight 77 having its transponder turned off as 8:56 on the morning of 9/11.
The FAA seems to have several rules, if not more, in place to deal with emergencies:
According to the FAA manual, an aircraft emergency exists "when there is unexpected loss of radar contact and radio communication with any aircraft" [FAA Order 7110.65M]
"Emergency Determinations: If... you are in doubt that a situation constitutes an emergency or potential emergency, handle it as though it were an emergency." [FAA Order 7110.65M]
These seem very straightforward and easily understood.
Several other statements that seem to back up the state of readiness, and also that fighters there were actually scrambled
"Air defense around Washington is provided mainly by fighter planes from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland near the District of Columbia border. The D.C. Air National Guard is also based there and equipped with F-16 fighter planes, a National Guard spokesman said. But the fighters took to the skies over Washington only after the devastating attack on the Pentagon..." [San Diego Union-Tribune 9/12/01]
It was after the attack on the Pentagon that the Air Force then decided to scramble F-16s out of the DC National Guard Andrews Air Force Base to fly cover, a--a protective cover over Washington, DC." [NBC Nightly News 9/11/01]
"A few moments [after the Pentagon attack] ... overhead, fighter jets scrambled from Andrews Air Force Base and other installations." [Denver Post, 9/11/01
These reports and the Base mission statements seem to confirm that fighters were there, were at a high state of readiness, and actually were scrambled on 9/11.
Now, the 10 million dollar question is, obviously, why after reports state that 77 had transponder turned off at 8:56, did these "in the highest state of readiness F16's not intercept 77 having 45 minutes to do so.
Allowing even 10 minutes from a call to scramble to being airborn (erring on the side of moderation) did these units not intercept 77 with an eternity to do so.
We know, according to Cheney that the secret service had open lines of communication with the FAA at 8:45(impact of flight 11) So its not a stretch that by 8:56 with 77 turning off transponder, and already an impact, that a terrorist attack was in progress.
At 9:06 Washington notified all facilities(air control) that 77 had been highjacked.
It is unfathonable that with all the time in the world considering the 1500mph capability of ready aircraft only 10 miles from the Pentagon that these assets werent scrabled by 9:10 at the latest, if not sooner. If for no other reason than to provide an umbrella over DC and all the vital targets in the vicinity. As by this time two attacks had already taken place by rogue, highjacked aircraft.
Its hard not to come to the conclusion (when the above information is considered, along with the testimony of Mineta involving an incoming plane, and Cheney's baffling statements regarding it)that a military standown wasnt ordered, and likely by Cheney himself, at least as regards flight 77.
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