KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- Many Americans can vividly recall their surroundings the moment they learned of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
For Kirkuk AB firefighter Master Sgt. Tyree Bacon, 9/11 was more than just a recollection - it was a personal experience.
The sergeant, a reservist, was working his civilian job as a senior court officer assigned to the New York City Supreme Court in Manhattan's financial district when the attacks occurred. The sights he witnessed on that September morning provided the motivation that led him to volunteer to deploy.
"Being there first-hand made it personal to me," said Sergeant Bacon, 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief. "People in our circles - police, firefighters, emergency medical services, military - we step up when duty calls."
According to Sergeant Bacon, Sept. 11, 2001, started just like any other day as he enjoyed a cup of tea preparing for an upcoming shift in the court's locker room. At 8:45 a.m., approximately 14 minutes before his shift, the sergeant was taken aback as the first aircraft made impact.
"The only word I can use to describe the impact is surreal," he said. "I looked out the locker room window and saw a gaping, fire-engulfed hole in one of the towers. I couldn't get a good view from where I was, so I went to the top of the 18-story building - I couldn't believe my own eyes."
At this time, Sergeant Bacon heard over his radio that a team of court officers was mobilizing a security detail to respond and assist emergency medical services. Sergeant Bacon accompanied nine other court officers, all military veterans, and hurried into the court's jury bus heading to ground zero. The court was only 10 blocks away from the World Trade Center.
During the ride, the officers heard another explosion they later learned was the second aircraft impact at the World Trade Center complex.
"We knew one plane might have been an accident; but two planes definitely indicated a terrorist act," Sergeant Bacon said. "Our [team leader], a Vietnam vet, ordered us to remain vigilant for possible chemical agents - we didn't know what to expect on the way there."
Despite the second explosion, the officers stayed on the path and approached the area.
"We got off the jury bus, and it was just complete chaos," Sergeant Bacon said. "There were people screaming, sirens in the background and masses of people making their way to northern Manhattan."
The group of court officers dispersed at the scene, and Sergeant Bacon and a co-worker looked for emergency response supplies before trying to enter any of the buildings.
Due to falling debris, Sergeant Bacon and his co-worker could not safely enter the main towers. They entered World Trade Center Building 5 instead - a part of the overall World Trade Center complex that was not directly impacted by the airplanes.
As they made their way into the building, they came across several victims who needed medical assistance.
"During our first trip inside, we encountered an elderly woman who was suffering a heart attack," Sergeant Bacon said. "We took her across the street to the Millennium Hotel, where the triage area was located. At this point, thousands of people from the surrounding buildings were making their exit. We sifted through the crowd to re-enter the building.
"This time, we spotted a man with severe head injuries," he added. "We applied a bandage to his wound and brought him to the triage area."
On the way back to the building, Sergeant Bacon caught up with two more court officers. The four court officers teamed up and proceeded to an underground mall that encompassed the complete bottom sector of the World Trade Center complex.
The crew made their way to the area beneath World Trade Center Tower 2 and came across a group of 10 injured civilians. Sergeant Bacon spotted one woman with burns covering approximately 60 percent of her body, and decided she was a top priority. He placed the woman on a stretcher for transport to the triage center.
"Just as I made my way out with the patient, I heard 'get down,'" Sergeant Bacon said. "I heard a loud, horrible crash followed by a cool rush of air that threw me to the floor. The gust knocked me forward about 100 feet, and a cloud of debris quickly rolled in. There was no visibility or breathable air."
Sergeant Bacon stuck his face inside his shirt to breathe and called for help on his radio. "I kept expecting a fireball - I didn't know if bombs had been planted in the building or if another plane hit," he said. "I had no idea the building just collapsed. It was the most terrifying moment of my life."
While struggling to get back on his feet, Sergeant Bacon was grabbed by the patient who pleaded for his continued assistance.
"I promised her I would get her out," Sergeant Bacon said. "I was lying to her though - I thought we would die there together."
Despite the thick dust cloud, Sergeant Bacon stumbled upon a wall and slowly felt his way toward the opposite direction of the blast. They eventually made their way to a staircase, and were met by three people who helped move the stretcher out from the bottom floor.
"When I got to the street again, I couldn't believe my eyes," he said. "Everything was covered in dust, and it was eerily quiet. The triage area I left two patients at was completely destroyed, and an ambulance was overturned and on fire. Everybody who was treated at the triage center had died.
"There was chaos just 10 minutes ago in this area, and now it was completely calm," Sergeant Bacon added. "I was lost and didn't know where to go. We finally decided to run two blocks east to another triage area, which is where I left the woman I was helping."
Sergeant Bacon eventually regrouped with the other court officers that day, but the three men he entered the building with could not be found. Unfortunately, these three men weren't accounted for until April 2002 - they likely perished during the building collapse.
Shortly after 9/11, Sergeant Bacon was re-activated to the 514th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Flight at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. He was eager to report for duty to help support the defense of his country against the terrorists who brought death and destruction to his native city.
"The fire department at McGuire was stretched thin, as most of the guys were getting deployed on some of the first rotations to Afghanistan," he said. "It was definitely a welcome change; it got me away from the sites, sounds and smells of New York City and 9/11."
During that year, Sergeant Bacon won a Department of Defense Fire Fighter award for heroism.
Despite the recognition, Sergeant Bacon doesn't see his actions in the line of fire as heroism but rather an obligation. Like many in his career field, the sergeant comes from a long line of firefighters and believes dedication to public service is standard operating procedure.
"Ever since I was a little boy, I looked up to my grandfather who was a volunteer firefighter in my hometown of Islip, N.Y.," said Sergeant Bacon, who currently serves as a volunteer firefighter in Islip. "I have served in the volunteer fire department in every town I've ever lived. I believe every citizen should participate in some manner to give back to their community - whether in the volunteer fire department or coaching a little league team."
Several Airmen stationed alongside Sergeant Bacon at Kirkuk also participated in 9/11 emergency response efforts. All of these 9/11 veterans volunteered for duty in Iraq - a decision Sergeant Bacon feels is rooted in personal sacrifice to ensure their hometown is safe from another terrorist attack.
"We were attacked on 9/11 in our backyard," said Sergeant Bacon. "Though we aren't involved in direct combat operations, we are now supporting the war on terrorism.
"What we are doing here is making America safer and the world a better place," the sergeant added. "I don't want to see another 9/11 and deploying to Iraq is one way I can help ensure it never does."
