September 11th Remembering 25 Years

Ret. U.S. Air Force Col. Tim Duffy, Ret. U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeremy Powell, and U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Pete Morrison share their experiences as National Guard members involved in the immediate response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Powell was the first U.S. military member alerted to the attacks and corresponded an aerial defense response, Duffy was an F-15 Eagle pilot who launched minutes after Powell called pilots to their battle stations, and Morrison was involved in the immediate response supporting first responders at Ground Zero. Video by Capt. Jamie Mason, Master Sgt. Erich Smith, Master Sgt. Whitney Hughes, Dave Wilkinson, and Jon Soucy

Playlist:
Video by David R Wilkinson
Download
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.
More

Up Next

Now Playing
A Pilot's Perspective. The 102nd Fighter Wing on September 11, 2001. Col. Tim "Duff" Duffy (Ret.)
A Pilot's Perspective. The 102nd Fighter Wing on September 11, 2001. Col. Tim "Duff" Duffy (Ret.)
25 Years Later: Texas Air Guard Pilot Recalls Protecting Air Force One on 9/11
Play Button
2:36
25 Years Later: Texas Air Guard Pilot Recalls Protecting Air Force One on 9/11
Guarding the Homefront: Guard members reflect on their 9/11 stories after 25 years
Play Button
6:13
Guarding the Homefront: Guard members reflect on their 9/11 stories after 25 years
Remembering 9/11: The Day the Mission Changed, 25 Years Later
Play Button
2:58
Remembering 9/11: The Day the Mission Changed, 25 Years Later
Never Forgotten: D.C. National Guard Remembers September 11
Play Button
4:40
Never Forgotten: D.C. National Guard Remembers September 11
25 YEARS LATER: Montana Airmen Remember 9/11
Play Button
7:11
25 YEARS LATER: Montana Airmen Remember 9/11
Gen. Dan Caine, fellow Guard pilots recall defending D.C. on 9/11 in conversation with Guard Chief
Play Button
27:51
Gen. Dan Caine, fellow Guard pilots recall defending D.C. on 9/11 in conversation with Guard Chief
SEA Raines Reflects on 25th Anniversary of 9/11, Remember. Honor. Remain Ready.
Play Button
2:16
SEA Raines Reflects on 25th Anniversary of 9/11, Remember. Honor. Remain Ready.
25 Years After 9/11, the National Guard Still Answers the Call
Play Button
2:08
25 Years After 9/11, the National Guard Still Answers the Call
Remembering the 113th Wing’s 9/11 Response
Play Button
1:41
Remembering the 113th Wing’s 9/11 Response
Pentagon Group Burial Marker at Arlington National Cemetery – 25th Anniversary of 9/11
Play Button
2:18
Pentagon Group Burial Marker at Arlington National Cemetery – 25th Anniversary of 9/11
Former NYANG Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Powell recalls his role in 9/11 response
Play Button
1:49
Former NYANG Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Powell recalls his role in 9/11 response
Never Forget
Play Button
13:03
Never Forget
PRNG ON 9/11
Play Button
0:48
PRNG ON 9/11
PRNG ON 9/11
Play Button
0:42
PRNG ON 9/11
Maj. Gen. John Andonie 9/11 Story
Play Button
2:12
Maj. Gen. John Andonie 9/11 Story
'Never Forget': Air Guard leader reflects on 9/11
Play Button
2:04
'Never Forget': Air Guard leader reflects on 9/11
South Carolina National Guard recognizes 20-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 Part 1 of 4
Play Button
21:53
South Carolina National Guard recognizes 20-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 Part 1 of 4
South Carolina National Guard recognizes 20-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 Part 2 of 4
Play Button
17:29
South Carolina National Guard recognizes 20-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 Part 2 of 4
South Carolina National Guard recognizes 20-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 Part 3 of 4
Play Button
20:47
South Carolina National Guard recognizes 20-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 Part 3 of 4
South Carolina National Guard recognizes 20-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 Part 4 of 4
Play Button
24:45
South Carolina National Guard recognizes 20-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 Part 4 of 4
Former Air National Guard Master Sgt. recalls the 9/11 Pentagon attack
Play Button
1:48
Former Air National Guard Master Sgt. recalls the 9/11 Pentagon attack
CW4 Clifford Bauman 9/11 Story
Play Button
1:56
CW4 Clifford Bauman 9/11 Story
Former NYANG Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Powell recalls his role in 9/11 response
Play Button
1:49
Former NYANG Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Powell recalls his role in 9/11 response
Minnesota Remembers: 9/11 and the Minnesota National Guard
Play Button
26:45
Minnesota Remembers: 9/11 and the Minnesota National Guard
Minnesota Remembers
Play Button
2:04
Minnesota Remembers
Minnesota Remembers
Play Button
1:44
Minnesota Remembers
Minnesota Remembers
Play Button
0:54
Minnesota Remembers
Remembering September 11, 2001 on the 10th Anniversary
Play Button
8:26
Remembering September 11, 2001 on the 10th Anniversary
In Remembrance of 9/11/2001
Play Button
1:26
In Remembrance of 9/11/2001
Facing Mortality - A Tale from September 11th
Play Button
1:18
Facing Mortality - A Tale from September 11th
TSgt Rashie Burnett's story about 9/11
Play Button
2:12
TSgt Rashie Burnett's story about 9/11
10th Anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001
Play Button
20:16
10th Anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001
Col Scott Reed 9/11 Story
Play Button
46:39
Col Scott Reed 9/11 Story
9/11 A Responders View
Play Button
14:36
9/11 A Responders View
Post 9-11
Play Button
0:49
Post 9-11
National Guard Memorial Museum Opens 9-11 Era Gallery - Part 1
Play Button
1:42
National Guard Memorial Museum Opens 9-11 Era Gallery - Part 1
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 1
Play Button
10:00
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 1
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 2
Play Button
10:00
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 2
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 3
Play Button
10:00
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 3
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 4
Play Button
10:00
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 4
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 5
Play Button
10:02
Twenty Years after 9/11 at the 171st Part 5
More Videos
Current and Past Articles
D.C. Air National Guard detachment responds to 4,000th alert since 9/11
January 28, 2013
Odierno: National Guard contributions since 9/11 'critical'
September 11, 2012
Guard exhibit, artifacts to tell 9/11-era Guard story
March 1, 2012
D.C. mayor recognizes distinguished D.C. Guard members, 9/11 heroes
December 6, 2011
In their own words: Guard members tell personal accounts of 9/11
September 10, 2011
In their own words: Guard members tell personal accounts of 9/11
September 9, 2011
Illinois soldiers and Airman remember where they were 9/11
September 9, 2011
Air Guard unit carries fallen wingman's 9/11 memorial service flag into every deployment
September 1, 2011
Pennsylvania Guardmembers have a hand in National 9/11 Flag
February 16, 2011
Post 9/11: This isn't your father's National Guard
September 9, 2010
External Articles
Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Guard Bureau of non-U.S. Government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the National Guard Bureau may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for Department of Defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such hyperlinks are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.