JOINT BASE LANGLEY EUSTIS — As the nation pauses to remember the events of September 11, 2001, two current leaders at Langley Air Force Base shared personal reflections on how that day shaped their careers, their leadership and the enduring mission of the U.S. Air Force.
The video, produced by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Olivia Bithell and 2nd Lt. Jahnaya Cosby, features interviews with Col. Matthew Hummel, deputy commander of the 192d Wing, and Hans Augustus, deputy commander of the 633d Contracting Squadron. Their stories offer a rare glimpse into the immediate response from Airmen on the ground and the long-term impact of 9/11 on military operations and their leadership.
Hummel, then a second lieutenant and aircraft maintenance officer stationed at Langley AFB, recalled the moments after the first plane struck the World Trade Center.
“Everything shifted,” he said. “What we could do for America right (then) was fix equipment. It (didn’t) seem like much, but this (was) our job — so let’s go do it.”
Faced with sudden uncertainty, Hummel and his team focused on maintaining mission readiness, ensuring aircraft were fully equipped and operational in case they were called upon. He credited his senior noncommissioned officers whose guidance helped him lead through the situation and emphasized the importance of trust and preparation.
Augustus, then commander of the 27th Contracting Squadron based at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, described the eerie silence and confusion that gripped his unit, composed largely of civilians.
“They were shell-shocked,” he said. “Everyone was asking, ‘What do we do next?’”
In the hours following the attacks, Augustus was appointed deputy logistics commander at Cannon AFB, stepping into a critical leadership role to support the wing’s transition from training operations to real-world readiness. He later served in the command post, executing orders to arm F-16s for combat air patrol over President George W. Bush’s ranch in Texas.
As the nation scrambled to respond, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an unprecedented order: grounding all civilian aircraft across U.S. airspace. For the first time in history, commercial and private flights were halted nationwide, and only military aircraft remained airborne.
“The idea that the only airplanes flying were military is pretty shocking,” Hummel said. “We had two ships in the air at all times, 24/7. Instead of a training footing, we were on a combat air patrol footing. It was unprecedented.”
This shift marked the beginning of Operation Noble Eagle, a homeland defense mission that began in the wake of 9/11 and continues today. Fighter jets flew continuous patrols over key locations, enforcing newly established no-fly zones and protecting against further threats.
In the final moments of the video, both leaders reflected on the deeper meaning of 9/11, not just as a historical event, but as a call to action for today’s Airmen to not just remember the past, but to carry its lessons forward.
Hummel reflected on how the events of 9/11 reshaped not only military operations but the nation’s collective identity.
“It’s important for young leaders to understand the individual sacrifices and heroism that Americans showed that day,” Hummel said. “We shouldn’t forget it. We should be thinking about … what we can do to continue those memories and honor their sacrifices.”
Augustus also urged young service members to take their mission seriously and recognize the weight of their role.
“We’re still less than a percentage point of the population, but we stand in the gap,” he said. “Take that seriously. Remember how important it is. Focus, do the best you can with the skills you have and the training you’ve been given. Fight hard, win and come home.”
The video serves as both a tribute to those lost on 9/11 and a testament to those who stood ready to defend the nation in its darkest hour.
Watch the full video: Langley AFB Leaders Reflect on 9/11