Earlier today, on the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we told you about former George W. Bush Press Secretary Ari Fleischer’s tweetstorm about his time with the president that day. Here’s another part of the story, in particular about the president and his team going from Florida to Nebraska:
Just before we landed at Offutt, Bush turned to Eddie Marinzel, the head of his USSS detail and said:
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
"We need to get back to Washington. We don't need some tin horn terrorist to scare us off."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
"The American people want to know where their dang President is."
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
After landing at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Fleischer helps reveal just how unsure the government was about the size and scope of the attack:
From the 'Truth is stranger than fiction' file — #September11 #Sept11 https://t.co/GKMzsUqps8
— Mayer Fertig (@MayerFertig) September 11, 2017
Without a doubt:
We landed at Offutt little after 3:00 and parked next to a Doomsday plane. Hollywood never would have thought of that. pic.twitter.com/qSQSbiyn0l
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
“Doomsday plane”? Yeah, that sounds scary:
During the Cold War, the Air Force flew a fleet of Doomsday planes (modified 747s) 24/7/365 in case there was a nuclear war. pic.twitter.com/BsEYDkqLaq
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
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If a Soviet (or Chinese) first strike took out most/all of our ground based command & control centers, these planes would survive.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
We would be able to coordinate our retaliation from these aircraft if necessary. With the Soviet Union gone, we don't fly them much anymore.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
Here’s the rest of Fleischer’s story about the time spent at Offutt after the attack:
Staff was told to prepare for spending the night on base. The USSS still preferred for POTUS to remain out of DC. Bush thought otherwise.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
Here is the scene as we walked toward the entrance of the base. pic.twitter.com/PGKcivXCNs
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
To get to the bunker down below where Bush would convene the Nat. Sec. Council, we entered this very small concrete block of a building. pic.twitter.com/1z8qhvijiT
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
I learned years later that we entered through an emergency exit stairwell. One of these days I want to walk through Offutt's front door.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
Bush was briefed by the CIA, FBI, Pentagon and others. Given the technology then, it was 1st time everyone could gather on one secure line.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
4:26 Bush left the bunker, turned to his milaide and said he's going back to Washington.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 11, 2017
Fleischer’s entire timeline today is fascinating. You can read it here.
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