25th Anniversary of Sept 11
I was the Submarine Squadron 3 Operations Officer at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii on September 11, 2001. This Honolulu Advertiser picture stayed on my bulletin board during the remaining two years of my extended tour there. It was the motivation for the 12–14 hour days that followed getting six submarines deployed in a record eight months.
One of my submarines, the USS Key West (SSN 722), was the first submarine to launch Tomahawk missiles into Afghanistan in October 2001. We turned her around quickly, and she later fired into Iraq in March 2003. These were the first back-to-back combat operations patrols conducted by a submarine since WWII.
My other two submarines, the USS Louisville (SSN 724) and the USS Columbia (SSN 771), launched that March as well. My three subs launched more Tomahawks than any other submarine squadron in the world, 61 total. One of my proudest possessions is a Louisville slugger, signed by all of the Louisville officers, presented to me when the boat returned from that 2003 deployment.
As new threats continue to evolve around the world, from many sources and directions, we must NEVER FORGET this unprecedented and unwarranted attack on our nation.
Tutor-Gunboss thanks for sharing. For many of us, we will never forget where we were and what we were doing the moment the terrors of 9/11 became apparent. Needless to say, this event shaped our world and the Global War on Terror has been persistent for many careers.
In a bit of irony, I was scheduled for my first-ever flight lesson on September 11, 2001. As a college kid, I left my dorm that morning unaware of what was going on. When I got to the FBO, everyone was huddled around the office TV watching the news. Moments later, on live tv, we watched the 2nd tower get hit. Needless to say, I didn't do my first flight lesson that day.
Never Forget!
SMAX , Tutor-Gunboss , I also have been reflecting today on where I was when the twin towers were struck. SIC and I got the incredible opportunity to visit the 9/11 memorial last year and its an incredibly sacred and humbling experience standing next to the remembrance pools and walking through the museum to re-visit the events that transpired that day. When we were finished with the tour, we both looked at each other and said: "This is my why. This is why I wanted to be a fighter pilot and continue to want to serve my country."
Many of you may know already, but "Lucky" Penney had planned to ram her F-16 into Flight 93 since her jet was unarmed. The passengers aboard that airplane fought back before she reached the plane, but her mind was made up to sacrifice her life for her country that day. What is your why? What are you willing to sacrifice? Story is linked below: https://www.legion.org/information-center/news/tango-alpha-lima/2026/september/f-16-pilot-recalls-911-mission-take-down-flight-93
