ryan yantis 911 091411

9/11: A Survivor’s Story

Ryan YantisLt. Col., US Army, retired


Our Discussion Today

• Three Days

• Sept. 10

• Sept. 11

• Sept. 12

• Not speaking for the US Govt, DoD, or the US Army

• Not presenting an opinion for anyone but myself


The World Of Sept. 10

• U.S. was the sole global superpower

• Domestic political division (He’s not my President!)

• Smaller government; humble foreign policy

• Focus on domestic and defense reforms

• The terrorist problem; law enforcement issue

• Business was business, and business was good

• We were peacefully ignorant and unaware


Sept. 11: The Attack Timeline

• 0814 American 11 is highjacked

• 0846 American 11 impacts the North Tower of the WTC (32)

• 0903 United 175 impacts the South Tower of the WTC (17)

• 0937 American 77 impacts the western side of the Pentagon (34)

• 1006 United 93 crashes near Shanksville, PA (29)

• 82 minutes = 1 hour 22 minutes

My Opinion:

The compressed time sequence put the attackers “inside” our decision and reaction cycle. The simple, pre-planned aspects of the hijackings and attacks made our decision-makers play catch-up. Our reactions were at least one step behind and impotent.

The FAA grounding 4,500+ flights may have been the only thing that stopped the attacks that day.


The Pentagon

• Rule of 5 & 10

• 5 Rings A-E

• 5 Floors 1-5

• 10 Corridors

• 17.5 miles of corridor

• 6m+ sqft space

• 20k+ people

• “a little city”

• 7 minutes walking


Rest of the Day

• Press Conference

• Getting into the office


Sept. 11: The Aftermath

• 59 people died on American Flight 77

• 125 people died in the Pentagon (70 civilian, 55 military)

• 106 were seriously injured and hospitalized

• Hundreds others were wounded

• The Pentagon never closed or stopped working

• Very austere conditions; “worst deployment ever”

• By 11 September 2002, Phoenix Project completed


Sept. 12: Camp Unity

• Volunteer- and Citizen-directed effort in South Parking

• Amazing story the media never really told

• Companies sent semis full of goods

• Red Cross, USO, Salvation Army working together

• Companies providing goods and services for free

• Provided real support in real ways - it meant a lot


Sept. 12: National Unity

• Stunning initial effect; built resolve

• Afghanistan, Iraq, GITMO and other aspects

challenge the unity; fray common cause

• To me, three differing mindsets to the challenges

- Sept 10 - partisan bickering and posturing

- Sept. 11 smaller #, stuck in the horror

- Sept. 12 working to solve the challenges

• International audience/actors seek own best options


Terrorist

• Embrace Death

• Religious Governance

• No Means for Grievance

• 2nd/3rd & Shadow World

• State /Oil/Crime Funded

• Fear Education

• Fear Freedom

• Seek to Control Women

The West

• Embrace Life

• Secular Governance

• Inclusive/Redress

• First World

• Is a State

• Seek Education

• Embrace Freedom

• Women’s Rights


Lessons, 10 Years On

• The World Is A Different Place

• United States no longer supreme power

• “Endless War” or new style conflict

• Will not be won or lost solely in military terms

• Economic, Social, Legal and Diplomatic needs

• Is a struggle of self-determination, Women’s Rights

• Very costly in treasure, lives & opportunities

• Has already set global changes in motion

• Regional Leadership & Arab Spring


So, What Can I Do ?

• Learn more; read, educate yourself

• Be prepared for next act/chapter

• Become involved; make a difference

• Remember, Honor, Celebrate

• Support our Military (hire Vets!)

• Support Willow House

• Support the American Red Cross/USO


Questions?

ryan yantis 911 091411

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