Colonel Mark Tillman flew Air Force One on 9/11

He spoke Tuesday at the Friends of Scouting luncheon

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Convention Center hosted the 17th Annual Friends of Scouting Luncheon on Tuesday.

The event was headlined by Colonel Mark Tillman – the nation’s 12th presidential pilot for Air Force One who flew with former President George W. Bush on September 11th.

Prior to the luncheon, he spoke with News 12 about his experience during that tragic day.

“When the first tower collapsed that was just unbelievable. And when the second tower collapsed it became very obvious that this planned attack was going to cripple our nation in a sense.”

Colonel Tillman was promoted to Brigadier General by former President Bush – the first military line officer to receive that honor.