It was reported on Sept 10th that the US Air Force and National Guard were prepared to shoot down United Airlines Flight 93 as it was heading toward Washington DC-most likely the White House. What they were not prepared to do was to down the airliner the conventional way; with "live ammunition". The DC Air National Guard was prepared to fly two F-16 jets into the airliner in a "kamikaze" mission. Incredible (my term) as it may seem the Air National Guard had no planes ready with weapons (that would be needed to protect the capitol if under attack). One of the two pilots ordered to fly the suicide mission was the only female pilot in the Guard unit. Her name was Lt. Heather "Lucky" Penney; now a Major but not flying combat jets anymore. (I would hope she also lost the "Lucky"). Then again lucky for her, and the other pilot, that the passengers on Flight 93 caused the plane to crash on their own. It seems part of the explanation was that "...attacks were unfolding, in that innocent age, faster than they could arm war planes". This source says, "she was a rookie in the autumn of 2001, the first female F-16 pilot ever at the 121st Fighter Squadron of the DC Air National Guard". The second pilot was Col. Marc Sasserville who says he was prepared to hit the cockpit of the airliner while Penney was to crash into the tail. They were hoping they would have time to eject just prior to the hit.
(Source: "She was ready to die to bring down Flight 93" by Steve Hendrix of the Washington Post. In The Virginian Pilot. Sept 10, 2011).
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