Something a bit different from me but also on a bit of darker tone (apologies for it being so)…

Something a bit different from me but also on a bit of darker tone (apologies for it being so)…

These pictures are a collection of photographs of F-16s taken during the aftermath of the September 11 Attacks on the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York. For several days afterwards all airspace in the USA was closed and the USAF flew Combat Air Patrols over New York. Additionally, on the day of the attacks the USAF scrambled two unarmed F-15s to try and stop the highjacked Flights 11 and 175 by ramming them as there was simply no time to arm the jets. Unfortunately, as we all know, it was all in vain as both flights hit their targets- the 1 and 2 World Trade Center.

The second picture is one of the most powerful pictures I’ve seen from that time (I was only 1 year and 9 days old when 9/11 happened) with the pilot mentally preparing himself for the upcoming patrol, where he’ll probably see Ground Zero and is tasked with destroying any civilian aircraft that fly into the area. It certainly ranks alongside pictures such as “The Falling Man”, the photos of the emergency crews and the footages the towers collapsing.

As a result of the attacks The War on Terror began and the USA began Operation Noble Eagle in order to protect its home soil, of which these Combat Air Patrols over New York were the beginning of.

I’d like to dedicate this post to all who suffered as a result of that terrible day in September 2001 and may those who died that day find peace.