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CNN Live At Daybreak

America Strikes Back: Interview with U.S. B-1B Bomber Pilot in Afghanistan

Aired October 11, 2001 - 08:16   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We are going to talk with one of those on the front line in America's war against terrorism.

Joining us now by telephone is "Tank" -- a B-1B bomber pilot. Tank is actually a she -- one of the few women pilots taking part in Operation Enduring Freedom. We will refer to her by her call sign, "Tank," because we're not allowed to use her first name or last name.

What we can tell you is that she has already flown at least one bombing mission into Afghanistan from an undisclosed location -- welcome, Tank -- good to have you with us this morning.

TANK, B-1B LANCER PILOT (by telephone): Thanks, good to be here.

ZAHN: I understand that you can't give us specifics of the bombing raid you have made so far. We respect that. But can you give us a broad description of what your mission is?

TANK: Well, overall our mission is basically to support the objective that our president has given us to strike against the terrorists and create conditions that are going to be favorable to continuing some humanitarian operations there in Afghanistan and just doing the job that we've been trained to do.

ZAHN: And is there any description you can give us of your first bombing run?

TANK: Not a whole lot really, other than it was very similar to a lot of the training that we do, and it went as we had hoped it would go.

ZAHN: We also know the weather has been in your favor. It has been quite clear.

How much of a concern is that that bad weather is just around the corner?

TANK: Well, I guess we'll flex (ph) to that as the situation arises. We obviously like to fly in the clear weather. That's what's best for the airplanes, but the clouds are just fine too. Sometimes they help us out though.

ZAHN: What is the longest you've been up in that plane? TANK: The longest I've ever been airborne -- shoot, I'd say well over 12 hours.

ZAHN: And what is the longest now during this campaign that you think you'll be flying?

TANK: I really can't say. Who knows? It's just going to be what the mission dictates.

ZAHN: Can you describe to us about the number of women who are also flying with you? Are there many of you in Operation Enduring Freedom?

TANK: Well, there are definitely other women air crewmembers here, and then we have women serving all across the board in a variety of different functions, both here and back at home.

ZAHN: And I just wonder if you've ever had any discussion that perhaps there is some sort of psychological warfare that is being played by the fact that women fighter pilots could be dropping bombs on the Taliban.

TANK: You know, I don't know about that, but I will say that we're very proud to be here. We're very proud to be just a part of the team and get to do our part for America.

ZAHN: And tell me a little bit more about the training that you've gone through, and how that has prepared you for what you're doing today?

TANK: Well, the training that we do back home in the States is very realistic and has prepared us incredibly well for the missions that we are going through right now, and I can't see that that will change in the future.

ZAHN: You know, we all see pictures of this plane, and then we can't even imagine what it is like to fly. Give us a sense of the power of the plane and its capabilities.

TANK: Oh, it is just an amazingly incredible airplane. It is so much fun to fly and just -- it's incredible. That's about the best word I can put to it.

ZAHN: And just out of curiosity, why did you decide to become a bomber pilot as opposed to a different kind of fighter pilot?

TANK: Oh, I figured, why not me, pretty much. I figured it was the best way I could serve my country.

ZAHN: And was there anybody else in your family that had flown in the service before?

TANK: Yes, I have had family members who have flown and have been in the service, so it's a great honor to be able to continue that tradition.

ZAHN: And how many years have you been flying altogether?

TANK: All together -- probably about six or seven.

ZAHN: I don't know whether you're allowed to tell me this or not, but if you can, during your first bombing run, did you hear any anti-aircraft fire or see any?

TANK: Well, they were definitely not pleased with the fact that we were there. We could see some fire coming up at us, but again, like I said, we just responded to it as we've been trained to do.

ZAHN: Describe for us the morale of your fellow bomber pilots?

TANK: Oh, it's really high. Everybody is excited and happy to be here. We're glad to get to do our part. We see everybody back home volunteering -- the firefighters and policemen, and we just see this as our opportunity to help out.

ZAHN: And where were you on September 11?

TANK: I was driving into work when I heard it on the radio, and I just drove a little bit faster to get here.

ZAHN: And on your way to work, I suspect then you knew that you probably were going to be deployed.

TANK: Yes, we were looking to see what would happen. Our -- everybody was glued to the TV that day.

ZAHN: And did you have that sense of, OK, this is going to be my chance to defend my country?

TANK: We had a good idea that something would come down the road like that. But like I said, we were just -- as being in the American military, we're always ready, always prepared for anything that could come up.

ZAHN: Well, Tank, we really appreciate your insights this morning and greatly respect the fact that obviously you can't tell us about future missions and specifics of the mission that you've conducted so far. But thanks for your insights this morning -- we appreciate it.

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