Watch Webinar – U.S. Military Leaders Reflect on the Morning America Was Attacked
Click here to read transcript.
September 11, 2001, changed world history and shattered the American people’s sense of security and normalcy. Jihadists attacked U.S. economic and military power centers, killing 2,977 people and injuring thousands more. The terrorists nearly dealt a major blow to America’s political epicenter, coming within 20 minutes of striking Washington, D.C., foiled only by the heroic acts of the Americans aboard Flight 93.
Al-Qaeda’s terrorist attack sparked two major U.S. wars, in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a broader global campaign against America’s terrorist enemies. However, as time goes on, it becomes easier to take for granted the relative security that followed the 9/11 attacks—security that U.S. servicemembers valiantly fought for.
JINSA hosted a discussion with three retired U.S. military leaders about their personal experience on September 11, 2001; that day’s historical legacy; and the military campaigns that followed.
The conversation featured JINSA Generals and Admirals Program Participant ADM Timothy Keating, USN (ret.), former Commander, U.S. Pacific Command and former Commander, U.S. Northern Command/North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD); JINSA Distinguished Fellow Gen Charles Wald, USAF (ret.), former Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command; and JINSA Hybrid Warfare Policy Project Advisor Lt Gen Thomas Trask, USAF (ret.), former Vice Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command.
JINSA Senior Policy Analyst Yoni Tobin moderated the discussion.
ADM Timothy Keating, USN (ret.) Admiral Timothy Keating, USN (ret.) is a JINSA Generals and Admirals Program Participant. He is the former Commander of U.S. Pacific Command. Prior to his tour at Pacific Command, Admiral Keating was Commander of the United States Northern Command and Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command. |
Gen Charles Wald, USAF (ret.) General Charles Wald, USAF (ret.), is a JINSA Distinguished Fellow. He is the former Deputy Commander of United States European Command (EUCOM), where he was responsible for developing the air campaign of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. |
Lt Gen Thomas Trask, USAF (ret.) Lt General Trask served 33 years in the US Air Force, retiring as the Vice Commander of United States Special Operations Command. Tom is a defense and security consultant in the Washington DC area, providing full-service consulting focused on defense industry strategy, Capitol Hill engagement, leading and managing large organizations. |
Yoni Tobin Yoni Tobin is a Senior Policy Analyst at JINSA. He holds a B.A. in International Relations, with honors, from Boston University and an M.A. in International Security Policy from Columbia University. |