{"id":2855,"date":"2010-12-08T23:18:11","date_gmt":"2010-12-09T03:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/?p=2855"},"modified":"2010-12-08T23:20:50","modified_gmt":"2010-12-09T03:20:50","slug":"9-11-herdon-center-faa-hq-open-line-a-story-continued","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/?p=2855","title":{"rendered":"9-11: Herndon Center-FAA HQ open line; a story continued"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a previous article<\/a><\/strong>, “9-11: FAA Tactical Net; a window into the FBI SIOC,” I discussed the open line at the FAA’s Herndon Center that provided a window into both FAA Headquarters and the FBI’s SIOC and ended the article, “to be continued.”<\/p>\n

I now have the continuation audio file, “5 DCC 1923 Ops Phone #5128, pos 28, 1415-1515 UTC.”\u00a0 We pick up the story with the following from my first article.<\/p>\n

“There is one brief background conversation at about 10:15 at Operations Position 28 which suggests that erroneous information concerning UA 93 was being passed along from the FAA\u2019s Washington Operations Center (WOC).<\/p>\n

The background voice said, \u201cOK, number one is 93, it\u2019s 20 minutes outside of DC, go pass that.\u201d\u00a0 That brief transmission can be heard here. 101430 UA 93 20 minutes out.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Setting the stage<\/strong><\/p>\n

The FAA’s tactical and primary nets merged soon after the primary net was activated at 9:20.\u00a0 None of the positions at the FAA’s Washington Operation Center (WOC) were recorded.\u00a0 However, thanks to personnel at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (Herndon Center) the line at position 28 was left open thus providing the only known primary source information concerning actions taken at FAA Headquarters on September 11, 2001.<\/p>\n

The person on position at the WOC received information from the Herndon Center and other sources and passed that information along to others to pass up the chain of command, most likely using the Secure Video Teleconference System (SVTS).<\/p>\n

In another previous article<\/strong><\/a> I described the SVTS (pronounced “civ its”) as a closed system, a cold war relic that did not allow the input of information in real time.\u00a0 Participants in a SVTS conference were limited to the information they brought with them to the table.\u00a0 Additional information had to be passed using runners.<\/p>\n

It is probable that the information received at the WOC was being passed to either Monty Belger or Jane Garvery who, in turn, passed that information to Norman Mineta.\u00a0 No alternate explanation is plausible, given the chain of command in place that morning.<\/p>\n

Picking up the story<\/strong><\/p>\n

There were three pieces of information that the WOC wanted passed as we pick up the tape continuation: United 93, 20 minutes out; all inbound international flights diverted to Canada; and the launch of Air Force One and a Secret Service request for fighter support from Andrews.\u00a0 Here are the audio clips, in order, and we begin with the time stamp.<\/p>\n

1415-1515 Pos 28 Time Stamp<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

101500 UA 93 20 minutes out pos 28<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

101545 Internationals diverted to Canada Pos 28<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

101654 AF One launched request fighter escort<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The last clip contains an example of how confused and chaotic the situational awareness was at FAA Headquarters.\u00a0 The person on position erroneously stated that Air Force One was going to take off from Andrews.\u00a0 It was the fighter escort that was to launch from Andrews.<\/p>\n

A brief explanation about the times<\/strong><\/p>\n

The audio recordings at all Herndon positions were forwarded to the Commission on reel-reel cassette tapes, one hour per side.\u00a0 There is a few second overlap as the quality assurance specialist copying the tapes turned the cassette tape over.\u00a0 This tape is typical of all FAA-provided cassette tapes; there is an introductory certification by the quality assurance specialist.\u00a0 On the first tape in a series that certification lasts nearly a minute.\u00a0 On the continuation tapes, such as this one, the certification is on the order of 30 seconds or less.\u00a0 I have taken the certification into account as I adjusted tape time to actual time. \u00a0I have included the actual time in the title of each clip.<\/p>\n

Source of information to the chain of command<\/strong><\/p>\n

As would be expected, the recipient of the information being passed from the WOC wanted a source he\/she could pass along.\u00a0 The WOC established the source to be the FAA TAC NET, T A C NET.” \u00a0101800 Source is TACNET<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the background a person is heard saying the people down there in the “big room” want to know the source of the information.<\/p>\n

Another situational awareness bifurcation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Immediately after the three items are detailed for passing and the identification of the source is established, New York TRACON came up on the net to report, erroneously, that they had determined that a Sikorsky helicopter from Poughkeepsie flew into the trade center at 1227 (0827 EDT).\u00a0 The following audio clip documents an excellent example of disruptive feedback entering the system. \u00a0101826 Sikorsky helicopter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Attorney General, a disruptive flight home<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another example of disruptive feedback into the system was the saga of the Attorney General who was attempting to return to the capital from the midwest. His attempt to return to Washington was elevated to the WOC at about 10:27.\u00a0 This saga can be heard on multiple FAA audio files and the NEADS tapes.\u00a0 The Attorney General was insistent that he be allowed to return and he wanted a fighter escort.\u00a0 The episode was continuously disruptive to other ongoing actions.<\/p>\n

More disruptive feedback and FAA inability to keep its phone bridges straight<\/strong><\/p>\n

About 10:30 a voice on the TACNET, possibly Rich Ducharme, Eastern Region, announced an unconfirmed report that a hijacked aircraft out of the Washington area was headed to New York, another example of the lack of situational awareness at the national level.<\/p>\n

During this time and beginning with the Sikorsky helicopter report there is continuing evidence that the FAA bridges were interfering with each other. \u00a0Nevertheless, information concerning planes of interest, by this time just UA 93 and D 1989, was received and passed along.<\/p>\n

Delta 1989 status<\/strong><\/p>\n

At about 10:33 the TACNET received a report, most likely from Herndon Center, that Delta 1989 was on the ground in Cleveland and that it landed with the flaps up.\u00a0 Police were responding.<\/p>\n

NORAD and NMCC not on the bridge<\/strong><\/p>\n

At about 1035 the Air Traffic Services Cell (ATSC) at Herndon Center asked if NORAD was up on the bridge.\u00a0 The answer was negative, neither NORAD or the NMCC was on.\u00a0 The ATSC was given the task of bringing them up on the net.<\/p>\n

This time is consistent with the findings of the Commission Staff concerning the efforts at Herndon Center to get FAA and the NMCC connected.\u00a0 This effort most likely began shortly after 0930 at NEADS when the FAA representative asked to use the SOCC Director’s STU-III (secure phone).\u00a0 Here is the audio file, as recorded at Herndon Center, confirming that the military was not on the FAA net as of 10:35. \u00a0103434 NORAD and NMCC not on bridge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Diversity of information under discussion, examples<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even though the military was not on or did not have access to the FAA TACNET and to FAA Heaquarters other entities did. In this next audio clip the New York Port Authority passed along information concerning the attack on the AA 11 cockpit. \u00a0103800 Port Authority AA11<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

In a clip shortly thereafter we hear in the background that UA 93 was down, the report concerning AA 11 was passed along, landing of all aircraft was discussed, and a question about ATC Zero was asked.\u00a0 The context for the latter was a Boston Center decision to evacuate.\u00a0 Herndon also reported that in Indianapolis Center a voice at Elkins flight service was warning planes that they would be shot down if they didn’t land. \u00a0103900 Herndon FAA Discussion<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

A third clip is notable because there is an indication that the line was still open all the way through to the FBI SIOC. \u00a0It is possible that some of the background chatter heard on this tape may have originated from that location.<\/p>\n

In this clip we learn that the Attorney General has been cleared to land in Richmond (he will later reject that option) and that D 1989 was on the ground and authorities were responding.\u00a0 The information about Indianapolis Center was passed along. \u00a0104700 More Discussion<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Delta 1989 Status<\/strong><\/p>\n

Given that D 1989 was on the ground it became a matter of further interest as to how it was to be handled.\u00a0 FAA HQ reached out to Great Lakes Region security for an update.\u00a0 (Readers who have been following my articles on NEADS Vigilant Guardian will note the similarity to the exercise vignette of the defecting Aeroflot plane.) The issue was who notifies the FBI and other authorities.\u00a0 In this real world example the answer was FAA. \u00a0104824 D 1989 Status<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s Chaos out there<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this clip we learn that in California, Long Beach, Ontario, and LAX facilities were evacuated.\u00a0 A background voice said “it’s chaos out there,” referring to the possibility that terrorists were on the ground as well. \u00a0105132 chaos out there<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

UA 93 Update<\/strong><\/p>\n

FAA HQ asked for and received an update on UA 93 from Herndon Center.\u00a0 It was equated to the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.\u00a0 Note at the end of the clip a background voice says they are on the national net. \u00a0105405 UA 93 status<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Delta 1989 updates and Attorney General updates intermixed
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Concerning D 1989, Great Lakes security advised that no one had yet approached the aircraft.\u00a0 105542 Further D1989 update<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Concerning the Attorney General, the FBI SIOC confirmed that November 4 was the Attorney General’s plane and that he was allowed to land at DCA (Reagan National).\u00a0 In other ATC tapes the Attorney General had rejected all other landing destinations, to include Richmond.\u00a0 He was insistent that he be allowed to return to the capital.\u00a0 This audio clip confirms the Attorney General’s persistence.\u00a0 However, the Attorney General was not finished with his demands as we shall soon see.\u00a0 111100 Attorney General confirmed for DCA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the interim, FAA received an additional update on D 1989.\u00a0 There was still no breach of the aircraft by law enforcement. Note the garbled exchange that led to D 1989 being tagged a hijack.\u00a0 We know from Cleveland ATC tapes that D 1989 was under positive air traffic control and was not considered a hijack.\u00a0 So how did that change?<\/p>\n

Great Lakes security stated that according to the Cleveland Airport Commissioner, Cleveland Tower reported D 1989 “was under hijack conditions.”\u00a0 The HQ FAA recipient of that information immediately made the leap in logic to state that “we have a report of hijacked 1989 on the ground, nothing further.” 111217 Additional D1989 update<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally, in the last substantive conversation on this tape, we learn that the Attorney General now wanted a fighter escort.\u00a0 111250 AG wants fighter escort<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Summation<\/strong><\/p>\n

We learned that during the hour from 10:15 to 11:15 that FAA headquarters initially passed three issues up the chain of command–UA93, international flights, and fighter escort for Air Force One.<\/p>\n

During the course of the hour just two commercial aircraft of continuing interest were discussed–UA 93 and D 1989. \u00a0AA 11 was briefly mentioned with information about how the cockpit was breached. \u00a0There were two erroneous reports, one from New York TRACON concerning a helicopter and another concerning a report of a potential hijack headed from Washington to New York.<\/p>\n

We learned that the military–NMCC and NORAD–were not on the FAA’s “national net,” and that the tactical net was also the primary net.<\/p>\n

A Final Comment<\/strong><\/p>\n

At some point, if I have time, I will tell the primary source story of the Attorney General. \u00a0It is a fascinating battle of wills between a senior official who was insistent he needed to get to DC and FAA air traffic control officials who were just as insistent that he land somewhere else.<\/p>\n


\n<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction In a previous article, “9-11: FAA Tactical Net; a window into the FBI SIOC,” I discussed the open line at the FAA’s Herndon Center that provided a window into both FAA Headquarters and the FBI’s SIOC and ended the article, “to be continued.” I now have the continuation audio file, “5 DCC 1923 Ops … Continue reading 9-11: Herndon Center-FAA HQ open line; a story continued<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-national-level-9-11"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2855","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2855"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2855\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3109,"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2855\/revisions\/3109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oredigger61.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}