9-11/Air Defence
| Date | 2001-09-11 |
|---|---|
| Interest of | Jochen Scholz |
| Description | Multiple mock hijack exercises were ongoing on the morning of September 11th and planes were unavailable, contributing to an unprecedented failure. Norman Minetta's testimony to the 9/11 Commission (simply ignored in their final report), implying a direct stand down order, would seem to explain the total failure of air defence around the Pentagon. Although standard operating procedure was not followed, those responsible were promoted rather than disciplined after the event. |
Contents
Simultaneous Exercises
As Michael Ruppert has documented, on the day of 9/11, multiple exercises were ongoing on September 11, 2001[1], perhaps more than on any day before or since, including Operation Northern Vigilance, Operation Vigilant Guardian, Operation NOrthern guardian' and Operation Vigilant Warrior. Some of which involved the simulated highjacking of airliners, some of which involved the flying of many fighter aircraft far away from their normal locations on the East Coast of US[2].
Change of Procedure
The procedure for interception of off-course airliners was changed (by whom?) in the run up to 9/11 to require personal authorisation (from Cheney?).
Minetta's Testimony
Norman Minetta's testimony to the 9/11 Commission is well worth a listen, especially as regards the total lack of air defence around the Pentagon.
