Air Force Lt. Gen. Marc H. Sasseville, vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, is best known for his 9/11 mission in an F-16 to intercept hijacked Flight 93, which was en route to Washington, D.C. However, the bravery of passengers on Flight 93 prevented the hijackers’ plans, leading the plane to crash into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
This week, Sasseville retires from the Guard, concluding a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades and over 3,300 flight hours in various aircraft.
Reflecting on the 9/11 attacks, Sasseville stressed the importance of being prepared for future challenges and potential threats. He cited the increase in cyberattacks, drug trafficking, and emerging threats in space and artificial intelligence as indicators of ongoing challenges.
“I’m not paranoid, but I know that adversaries are persistent,” he stated. “It’s easy to forget that there are still people who compete with us and don’t share our values or respect the international order we believe has served us well.”
Sasseville highlighted the critical need for national service, whether in military uniform or as civilians. “If it’s not our youth, then who’s going to do it?” he questioned.
He urged outreach to today’s youth through parents, teachers, school counselors, and youth organizations to inspire and encourage future generations to serve their country.–News Desk