Gen. Dan Caine reflects on responding to 9/11 attacks: "No doubt" nation was at war

Updated on: September 12, 2026 / 12:00 AM EDT / CBS News

Gen. Dan Caine reflects on responding to 9/11 attacks: "No doubt" nation was at war

TL;DR

  • Gen. Dan Caine was on duty at Andrews Air Force Base when the 9/11 attacks occurred.
  • The military immediately began preparations to defend the nation, with Caine's squadron ordered to defend Washington, D.C.
  • Pilots Lt. Col. Mark Sasseville and Heather Penney were prepared to ram their plane into United Flight 93.
  • Caine's jet was armed with live missiles, and he was prepared to shoot down a commercial airliner if necessary.
  • The passengers of United Flight 93's actions prevented the plane from reaching its intended target.
  • Caine expressed that 9/11 made him truly understand the meaning of serving the country.