20th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks
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A Pilot's Perspective. The 102nd Fighter Wing on September 11, 2001. Col. Tim "Duff" Duffy (Ret.)
Massachusetts National Guard Public Affairs
Sept. 11, 2026 | 6:43
On a clear September morning, 25 years ago, a call came into Otis Air National Guard Base that set two F-15 pilots from the 102nd Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, in motion.

Col. Tim “Duff” Duffy and Maj. Dan “Nasty” Nash were on air defense alert when they were scrambled in response to reports of a hijacked airliner. They launched from Cape Cod and headed toward New York City, not yet knowing the full scope of what was unfolding.

Minutes later, American Airlines Flight 11 struck the World Trade Center.

What followed was a mission unlike anything they had ever trained for. Flying toward a city under attack, Duff and Nasty found themselves at the center of one of the defining moments in American history.

For the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, we remember that morning through the eyes of Col. Duffy, one of the Massachusetts Air National Guard pilots who answered the call that day.
This is his story.

As we listen to Col. Duffy’s account, we also remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that morning, the families and loved ones left behind, and the brave first responders who ran toward the danger. Their courage, sacrifice and service are forever woven into the story of Sept. 11.

We remember those we lost. We honor those who answered the call. We will never forget.
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A Pilot's Perspective. The 102nd Fighter Wing on September 11, 2001. Col. Tim "Duff" Duffy (Ret.)
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External Articles
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