Remembering 9/11: A Dover Airman’s perspective

  • Published
  • By Col. Robert Nance
  • 436th Operations Group
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Like most Americans, 11 September 2001 started out like any other day. I was a Captain stationed here at Dover Air Force Base and worked in Current Operations. Besides flying the C-5, my job was to coordinate all our Wing’s airlift missions with the 618th Air Operations Center (AOC). In fact, I was on the phone with the AOC while a cable news channel played in the background. When the first aircraft exploded into the World Trade Center, our phone call went silent…apparently he had been watching the news as well. I asked, “Was that an airplane? That looked like an airplane!” We decided to end the phone call and focus on the unfolding devastation the entire nation was watching. Once the second airliner crashed into the next tower, we were confident New York City was under siege. Shortly thereafter, the Wing Commander directed a base lockdown, and the Current Operations team began preparations to ready our strategic airlift fleet
of C-5 Galaxy aircraft for action.

Both the C-5 and C-17 (which was brought to Dover several years after 9/11), along with a robust global command-and-control network and highly trained Airmen that provide the nation a “global reach” capability. Using these strategic airlift fleets, the United States can project and sustain significant combat power across the globe in a matter of days or weeks. This capability is unique to the United States and gives the President and Combatant Commanders a strategic advantage over any potential adversary.

The Current Operations team sprang into action focusing the base on generating as many aircraft and aircrew as possible. Hundreds of Dover Airmen sprang into action . In less than 24 hours, we had over 20 C-5 crews and aircraft in “alert” status ready to launch at a moment’s notice. Team Dover was ready to answer the President’s call to deliver relief supplies to New York or to airlift combat firepower. Within a few days, our first missions departed delivering the equipment and combat forces needed to take the fight to the terrorists who attacked our fellow Americans.

As I reflect on these difficult times for our Nation, I will forever remember the 2,996 Americans who perished that day. I also remember how our Nation united together. All along local highways and overpasses, the Dover community constructed signs proudly announcing their support of the Wing’s Airmen. American flags proudly waved in the breeze all over the city. Now that I’m back at Dover 16 years later, I’m proud to say that Team Dover and the Dover community still enjoy the same close partnership. Every day, our highly motivated Airmen work tirelessly enabling the global reach mission to deliver hope to those in need and to eradicate the threats against our great Nation. “Aim High! Dover Pride!”