US Air Force “First Responder” Fighter Aircraft from 9/11 Awarded to Santa Rosa, CA Museum

Historic F-15 Eagle Aircraft First on the Scene in NYC will be on Permanent Display

Santa Rosa, Ca – In an unprecedented opportunity The Pacific Coast Air Museum has been awarded the honor of providing the home for a historic national treasure – the very first aircraft to respond on the scene to the World Trade Center twin towers attack in New York City on September 11, 2001. Currently en-route, the F-15 “First Responder” will ultimately be fully restored and the centerpiece of an interactive, educational exhibit. A press conference with Thomas C. Reed, previous Secretary of the US Air Force, General George "Jim" Eade, USAF (Ret.), Ernesto Olivares, Mayor of Santa Rosa and other VIPs is set for the dramatic arrival Tuesday, December 14th at 10:00a.m. at the museum at The Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport 2230 Becker Blvd. Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

The aircraft has been officially awarded to the museum by the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Now, an aggressive fund-raising effort to build a befitting exhibit is under way, working toward raising $250,000.00. The exhibit will honor those who perished and those who responded in a valiant effort to save lives, as well as educate visitors and tell the untold story of heroism in the skies and on the ground that day. The Pacific Coast Air Museum is proud to be the West Coast destination for the public to learn about what many call our generation’s Pearl Harbor, affecting all of our personal freedoms forever and shaping how we behave as a nation.

The F-15 Eagle “First Responder” Story

On September 11th 2001, two U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles from the 101st Fighter Squadron, 102nd Fighter Wing, Otis Air National Guard Base (ANGB) Massachusetts were scrambled by NORAD in response to commercial airliners being hijacked and used as weapons to attack the World Trade Center in New York City. This armed patrol was this nation's first airborne response to the terrorist attacks of that day arriving over Manhattan only moments after the World Trade Center was struck. The sight of these F-15s over New York City was the show of strength New Yorkers on the ground needed to see in their darkest hour. Accounts of that moment convey the relief and sense of security citizens felt when they looked up to see and hear fighters circling the air space – there to protect us.

About the Museum
Pacific Coast Air Museum (PCAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the acquisition, restoration, safe operation and display of historic aircraft, preserving aviation history and to providing an educational venue for students and the community. It also honors those heroic aviators who have contributed so much to the growth and defense of our way of life. Located in Santa Rosa, Calif., at the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport, PCAM operates both an indoor museum with exhibits featuring famous military and civilian pilots and aviation innovators, as well as historical photos and artifacts; and an outside museum featuring more than two dozen excellent examples of both contemporary and antique aircraft.

For more information about PCAM and the 9/11 First Responder F-15 Fighter please call (707) 575-7900 or visit www.pacificcoastairmuseum.org. The museum needs your support to raise funds for the exhibit - click to donate and be part of this important piece of our history!

Attention: Photo opportunities, interviews with VIPs and tours of the facility will be available for members of the media.

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