Colm Flynn Podcast

I Flew Air Force One on 9/11: Captain Mark Tillman

Colm Flynn Season 3 Episode 8

While almost every other aircraft in the United States was being grounded, Colonel Mark Tillman was pushing his throttles full force ahead to get Air Force One into the air as quick as possible. Behind him, inside the flying White House, was President George W. Bush - coming to terms with the fact that America was under attack, the deadliest hit since Pearl Harbor. 

Captain Mark Tillman had one of the most important jobs in America on September 11th 2001, to ensure the safety of the United States president and the continuity of government. As they flew through the air, racing back to Washington DC, they heard the news that a third plane had hit the Pentagon and there were an unknown number of other hijackings in the sky. Air Force One banked at a sharp angle and headed to a secret military base instead. 

In this one-on-one exclusive interview, Colonel Mark Tillman tells Colm Flynn about his memories of that horrific day, and accounts how the crew felt flying through the air knowing their country was under attack. 

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