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Air Force Reservist and airline pilot recalls 9/11

  • Published
  • By Maj. Stacie N. Shafran
  • 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq Public Affairs
BAGHDAD, Iraq --  As Tom Fuhrmann, a United Airlines pilot and first officer, prepared to depart Dulles Airport the morning of Sept. 11, he and his passengers were ready to fly to Seattle. All aboard were unaware of the tragic events unfolding in New York City.

Fuhrmann, who was also a major in the Air Force Reserves and an F-16 pilot, soon learned something was tragically wrong when he contacted the control tower for taxi instructions.

Both Fuhrmann and the airliner's captain were instructed to taxi to a nearby runway and expect a 45 minute delay. It was then they were informed that two aircraft hit New York City's twin towers.

The pilots were surprised. It was a beautiful morning with clear skies. They assumed there was an error and perhaps a small airplane had hit the twin towers. The passengers were told what happened and to expect a delay.

As other pilots in nearby airliners called for taxi instructions, Fuhrmann heard the air traffic controller tell them about the twin towers accident. He heard one of the pilots question the controller, who confirmed that it was in fact airliners that hit the towers. The controller stated they were all watching it on TV.

"At that point we knew it was no accident, but anticipated we would continue our flight to Seattle and watch the news there to figure out what had happened," Fuhrmann said.
A few minutes later they received a data-link message from United Airlines that said "Security Alert: secure the cockpit. Two airliners hit the twin towers."

Fuhrmann thought the message was sent to all United Airlines aircraft, but the captain assumed the message was directed specifically to their aircraft and became alarmed. He immediately requested a phone patch with dispatch while Fuhrmann monitored the ground control frequency.

"I attempted to barricade the cockpit door with our suitcases. I also reached for the crash axe located on the wall behind my seat and placed it by my side where it would be easily accessible, and useful as a weapon, should a hijacker enter the cockpit," said Fuhrmann.

To add to the confusion, other airliners were still taking off. This led both pilots to believe United Airlines had specific information about a terrorist aboard their aircraft.

As they taxied back to the gate, the pilots received another message that said "Security Alert: secure the cockpit, two airliners hit the twin towers, an additional two airliners are missing."
As they approached the gate, the control tower announced that all aircraft were on a ground stop and all airspace was shut down.


Both pilots were relieved. "That was our first indication that the messages we had received were not unique to us," Fuhrmann said.

As they helped passengers off the aircraft, Fuhrmann said he saw mixed expressions. Some believed it was an overreaction.

Within the next hour, however, one of the missing airliners crashed into the Pentagon and the other into a Pennsylvania field.

Although he didn't personally know any of the crew members who were killed that day, Fuhrmann said he recognized several of the flight attendants from past flights.

"I'm horrified when I think about what the crews and passengers of those hijacked aircraft must have gone through, especially the flight attendants -- many of whom were so young," said Fuhrmann.

That afternoon he called his reserve unit, the 419th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and volunteered to assist in any way he could.

"Less than two months later we were at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, where I lead a mission planning cell. We planned and flew the first F-16 missions into Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom," he said.

Fuhrmann is now a colonel in the reserves, stationed at the Pentagon working for Headquarters Air Force. He also still flies for United Airlines and spends as much time as possible with his wife of 24 years, Dalliss, and their three daughters, Marin, Darika, and Jallene.

Much like 10 years ago, Fuhrmann volunteered to deploy earlier this year. He just completed a six-month deployment supporting Operation New Dawn in Iraq and was responsible for integrating air component sustainment and transition efforts. He also briefly worked in the same undisclosed location he deployed to a decade ago.

"It's been an honor to be able to serve our great nation and to protect our values. As I reflect over the tenth anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, I'm reminded of how precious those values are, and how we should never take them for granted," said Fuhrmann.