WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACK AS SEEN FROM SPACE ON 9-11

Photo Credit:  NASA
FROM: NASA
New York City on September 11, 2001
Visible from space, a smoke plume rises from the Manhattan area after two planes crashed into the towers of the World Trade Center. This photo was taken of metropolitan New York City (and other parts of New York as well as New Jersey) the morning of September 11, 2001. "Our prayers and thoughts go out to all the people there, and everywhere else," said Station Commander Frank Culbertson of Expedition 3, after the terrorists' attacks.


World Trade Center After 9-11 Attack.  Credit:  U.S. Navy  

The following day, he posted a public letter that captured his initial thoughts of the events as they unfolded. "The world changed today. What I say or do is very minor compared to the significance of what happened to our country today when it was attacked."


Upon further reflection, Culbertson said, "It's horrible to see smoke pouring from wounds in your own country from such a fantastic vantage point. The dichotomy of being on a spacecraft dedicated to improving life on the earth and watching life being destroyed by such willful, terrible acts is jolting to the psyche, no matter who you are."




SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA CALLS FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL HALLOWED GROUND

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Panetta Calls Flight 93 Memorial 'Hallowed Ground'
By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service

SHANKSVILLE, Pa., Sept. 10, 2012 - On the eve of the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta toured the Flight 93 National Memorial here and called the passengers and crew of the ill-fated plane American heroes.

The plane, which took off from Newark, N.J. destined for San Francisco, crashed after passengers and crew members, aware of the attacks in New York and at the Pentagon, overpowered hijackers to prevent them from reaching their target. The 9/11 Commission said the terrorists most likely wanted to crash the plane into the White House or the U.S. Capitol.

"[They] responded with selflessness, determination and tremendous courage. And at the cost of their own lives, they made the fateful decision to fight back," Panetta told reporters while touring the memorial, laying a wreath to honor the victims and speaking with relatives of those who perished on that day 11 years ago. "Their example continues to inspire and to strengthen our nation."

Since 9/11, Panetta said, millions of young men and women have been inspired by their sacrifice to step forward and serve the United States.

"And like the heroes of Flight 93, they put their lives on the line for our country," he added. "For more than a decade, they have fought to ensure that such an attack would never happen again."

Panetta said the visit was an opportunity to renew the nation's pledge to the victims of 9/11, their families and to all Americans to "remain forever vigilant against threats to our homeland."

The nation has accomplished many things since the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, he said. "We have brought [Osama] bin Laden to justice, we've decimated the leadership of al-Qaida, [and] we have seriously undermined their ability to plan and conduct an attack similar to 9/11.

"Our troops are still fighting to deny safe haven to al-Qaida and to their extremist allies in Afghanistan," he continued. "We are continuing to fight them in Yemen, in Somalia and in North Africa. Make no mistake -- we will pursue and we will fight them wherever they go. There is no place that will be safe for them to hide from justice."

The United States is stronger and safer as a result of the sacrifices in Shanksville, he said, and as a result of the "tremendous sacrifice of those who have served this nation over these last 10 years."

"As I've often said, one of the toughest jobs I have is to write notes to the families of those who have been lost in battle," he said. "With each note, I express the tremendous sorrow that we all have for their loss, but I also say that they gave their lives for all they loved.

"They gave their lives for the families they loved and for the country they loved, and there is no greater sacrifice than to do that," Panetta continued. "That's what these heroes did here. As a result, they are forever American heroes. This is hallowed ground. This is hallowed ground because this is the final resting place of American patriots."

PRESIDENT PROCLAIMS 9-11 TO BE PATRIOT DAY

Photo:  World Trade Center.  Credit:  U.S. Navy 
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
President Proclaims Patriot Day, Day of RemembranceAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2012 - President Barack Obama today signed a proclamation designating tomorrow's 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States as Patriot Day and National Day of Remembrance.

Here is the president's proclamation:

On September 11, 2001, a bright autumn day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children perished when mighty towers collapsed in the heart of New York City and wreckage burned in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. They were family and friends, service members and first responders -- and the tragedy of their loss left pain that will never fade and scars our country will never forget.

More than a decade later, the world we live in is forever changed. But as we mark the anniversary of September 11, we remember what remains the same: our character as a Nation, our faith in one another, and our legacy as a country strengthened by service and selflessness. In the spirit that moved rescue workers and firefighters to charge into darkness and danger that September morning, we see the same sense of moral responsibility that drove countless Americans to give of themselves in the months that followed. We offered our neighbors a hand and lined up to give blood. Many helped our Nation rebuild and recover long after the dust had settled, donating and volunteering and helping survivors who had borne so much. We were united, and the outpouring of generosity reminded us that, through challenges that have spanned from acts of terrorism to natural disasters, we go forward together as one people.

Today, as we remember the victims, their families, and the heroes who stood up during one of our country's darkest moments, I invite all Americans to reclaim that abiding spirit of compassion by serving their communities in the days and weeks ahead. From volunteering with a faith-based organization, to collecting food and clothing for those in need, to preparing care packages for our men and women in uniform, there are many ways to bring service into our everyday lives -- and each of us can do something. To get involved and find a local service opportunity, visit www.Serve.gov, or www.Servir.gov for Spanish speakers.

Even the simplest act of kindness can be a way to honor those we have lost, and to help build stronger communities and a more resilient Nation. By joining together on this solemn anniversary, let us show that America's sense of common purpose need not be a fleeting moment, but a lasting virtue -- not just on one day, but every day.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day," and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized "National Day of Service and Remembrance."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2012, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS 'AL-PAIDA ON ROAD TO DEFEAT'

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Obama Pledges Responsible Drawdown in Afghanistan
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2012 - The United States will remain focused on the mission in Afghanistan while working toward ending the war in a responsible way that protects everything its military members have sacrificed for there, President Barack Obama said today.

Obama traveled to Fort Bliss, Texas, today, to honor service members he credited with making a turnaround in Iraq and also helping Afghanistan chart its own new future.

"You left Iraq with honor, your mission complete, your heads high," the president told the assembly of active, National Guard and reserve troops and their families. "And today Iraq has a chance to forge its own destiny."

Last visiting Fort Bliss two years ago, Obama recalled reminding the troops there that "we had more work to do, including taking the fight to al-Qaida."

Flashing forward to today, the president cited progress. "With allies and partners, we've taken out more top al-Qaida terrorists than at any time since 9/11," he said. "And thanks to the courage of our forces, al-Qaida is on the road to defeat, and bin Laden will never again threaten the United States of America."

Obama recognized Fort Bliss troops who have recently returned from Afghanistan or are currently deployed there, and some scheduled to deploy soon.

"I've got to tell you the truth," he said. "This is still a very tough fight."

The president recognized the sacrifices made, noting that he met earlier today with Gold Star families who lost loved ones in the conflict. "Your loved ones live on in the soul of the nation. We will honor them always," he told the family members.

"Because of their sacrifice, because of your service, we pushed the Taliban back," the president said. "We're training forces. The transition to Afghan lead is under way. And, as promised, more than 30,000 of our troops will have come home by next month."

Obama offered assurance that "just as in Iraq, we are going to end this war responsibility."

The Afghans will take the lead for their own security next year, he noted, and the transition will be complete in 2014.

"And even as this war ends, we will stay vigilant until Afghanistan is never again a source for attacks against America -- never again," Obama said, drawing cheers from the crowd. "So we're not just ending these wars. We're doing it in a way that keeps America safe and makes America stronger."

That, the president said, includes the military. Drawing down forces, he said, will mean fewer deployments, which creates more time to train, improve readiness, prepare for the future and reconnect with families.

"So make no mistake: ending the wars responsibly makes us safer, and it makes our military even stronger," he said.

Obama emphasized, in drawing down the force in Afghanistan, that the United States must remain ready for the challenges ahead. "In a world of serious threats, I will never hesitate to use force to defend the United States of America or our interests," he said.

"At the same time, I will only send you into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary," he pledged. "And when we do, we will give you the equipment and the clear mission and the smart strategy and the support back home that you need to get the job done. We owe you that."

The president recognized that the future, post-conflict military will be leaner. He promised, however, that the United States will continue making the investments needed "to keep you the absolute best military in the world, bar none."

The United States will always maintain its military superiority, he said.

"In you, we've got the best-trained, best-led, best-equipped military in human history. And as commander in chief, I am going to keep it that way," the president said.

Obama reaffirmed his pledge that the United States will continue to support those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of the nation.

"We may be turning a page on a decade of war, but America's responsibilities to you have only just begun," he said.

USS SOMERSET NAMED IN HONOR OF FLIGHT 93 WHICH CRASHED ON 9-11

FROM:  U.S. NAVY

From NAVSEA Office of Corporate Communications

AVONDALE, La. (NNS) -- The future USS Somerset (LPD 25) launched April 14 from Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Avondale Shipyard, marking a key milestone in the ship's construction process.

LPD 25 is the ninth ship of the San Antonio class, and is named in honor of the courage of the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed near Shanksville in Somerset County, Pa., on 9/11.

Over the weeks following the Flight 93 crash, recovery personnel retrieved more than 95 percent of the airplane's wreckage from the crash site. An American flag was hoisted on the top of a power shovel or "dragline" on a hill dominating the area. The dragline had been used in coal stripping at one time, and the equipment with the flag became a symbol of the effort.

In the summer of 2008, steel from the dragline's bucket was melted down and cast into LPD 25's bow stem. Somerset is the final of three ships named to honor heroes of the September 11th attacks, joining the USS New York (LPD 21) and USS Arlington (LPD 24), respectively. LPD 25 is the fifth U.S. Navy ship named Somerset.

"As the ninth ship of the San Antonio class, LPD 25's launch represents an important success for the entire program," said Jay Stefany, LPD 17 program manager for the Navy's Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "The Navy and the shipbuilder have incorporated many lessons learned and driven efficiencies into the production, resulting in the most complete ship at launch to date for the LPD 17 class. I look forward to HII delivering this critical capability to the Navy."

These versatile ships incorporate both a flight deck to accommodate CH-46 helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, and a well deck that can launch and recover landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The San Antonio class' increased vehicle space and substantial cargo carrying capacity make it a key element of twenty-first century Amphibious Ready Groups, Expeditionary Strike Groups, and Joint Task Forces.

In addition to performing their primary mission, Somerset's sister ships have supported anti-piracy operations and provided humanitarian assistance and foreign disaster relief operations in Haiti after the earthquake.

Six ships from the San Antonio class have been delivered to the Navy, including USS San Antonio (LPD 17), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), USS Green Bay (LPD 20), USS New York (LPD 21) and USS San Diego (LPD 22). LPD 22 recently transited from the shipyard to the homeport in San Diego. The commissioning ceremony for San Diego is scheduled for May 19, in San Diego. Early construction activities are underway for LPD 26 in Pascagoula, Miss., and material for LPD 27 is on order.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships, a Naval Sea Systems Command affiliated PEO, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all major surface combatants, amphibious ships, special mission ships, support ships, and special warfare craft. Currently, the majority of shipbuilding programs managed by PEO Ships are benefiting from serial production efficiencies, which are critical to delivering ships on cost and schedule.