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STORIES

Michael Carl

Veteran

Where were you when you first heard about or saw the 9/11 terrorist attacks?

I had just completed a deployment to Price Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. We landed at Rammstein AB, Germany. I was working my way back to RAF Alconbury in the UK. Went to the billeting office to get a cup of coffee and on the TV was the first tower on fire. I watched in horror as the second plane hit. Soon after the base went on FPCON Delta and I was stuck at Ramstein. Stayed there three days in billeting before hoping on a Ryan Air plane out of old Haun AB and flew into Stanstead. Worked my way back to Alconbury to complete my deployment.

How did the events of that day shape your life and inspire your service to this country?

It made me angry and I wanted to get into the fight. I was 11 years into a 25 year career and I served in both Iraq (2007) and Afghanistan (2013) as well as a one your tour in Qatar in 2004.

What are you excited to contribute to your community, however you define it, for the next 20 years?

Service before self is an Air Force core value. I work with Team Rubicon as well as The Mission Continue and served in the mass deployment in Baltimore. I wanted to be a mentor in Houston but COVID got in the way. I still participate in Tampa with TMC when I can.

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