While almost every other aircraft in the United States was being grounded, Colonel Mark Tillman was pushing his throttles full force ahead to get Air Force One into the air as quick as possible. Behind him, inside the flying White House, was President George W. Bush – coming to terms with the fact that America was under attack, the deadliest hit since Pearl Harbor.
Captain Mark Tillman had one of the most important jobs in America on September 11th 2001, to ensure the safety of the United States president and the continuity of government. After the Twin Towers at the World Trade Centre were hit by two planes in a horrific terrorist attack, Air Force One flew through the air, racing back to Washington DC. But then, they heard more news of the terrorist attack and that a third plane had hit the Pentagon. They were also told that other planes were possibly hijacked in the sky, some heading to Washington DC. So Air Force One banked at a sharp angle and headed to a secret military base instead.
In this one-on-one interview, Colonel Mark Tillman tells Colm Flynn about his memories of that horrific day, and accounts how the crew felt flying through the air knowing their country was under attack.
