Remember 9/11 at Offutt Air Force Base

By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca

It started as just another Tuesday at Offutt Air Force Base for 22-year-old Second Lieutenant Kristin Brockshus. She reported for duty around 7 a.m. on September 11, 2001, and began preparing for the practice deployment exercise. She was three months into active duty and was still learning the ropes in the deployment office.

An hour later, a colleague pointed at the office TV and said, “A plane just hit.”

“We all looked over but didn’t think much of it,” says Brockshus. “It wasn’t until the second plane hit that we knew something was going on.”

The FPCON (Force Protection Condition) level was raised to Charlie, the second-highest U.S. military threat level. Thirty minutes later, it reached Delta, the highest level. All meetings were cancelled and increased security procedures, like ID checks and shutting down the food court, were put into place for the military and civilian workforce of 12,000 on base.

Instead of preparing for practice deployment, Brockshus and her office began preparing for a real one. “It was the worst-case scenario,” she remembers.

Kristin Brockshus stands outside the office she occupied on September 11, 2001.

In the early afternoon, Brockshus watched as a fleet of black SUVs raced along the runway towards a Boeing 747-200B jumbo jet, the same model as Air Force One. Brockshus learned later that it was President George W. Bush coming to convene a National Security Council teleconference at the bunker on base.

When President Bush left a few hours later, Brockshus saluted his SUV as it returned to Air Force One. She didn’t have much time to reflect on the experience at first. For over a month, she worked 12-hour shifts without days off. When she did get off base, she felt the community support and pride for the military.

“There were flags everywhere. When I wore my uniform, people thanked me for my service,” she says. “Because of the security checks, there would be an hour plus wait in your car to get onto base. I remember one guy even brought us donuts while we waited.”

More than two decades later, Brockshus oversees the Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross efforts to remember 9/11 as the Regional Service to Armed Forces/International Services Director. In fact, her team is providing support for a commemorative 5K run taking place on Sept. 11 at Offutt Air Force Base.

“A lot of people, even in the military, don’t realize the breadth of support the Red Cross provides,” says Brockshus. “In fact, we’re the only organization that deploys with the military.”

The Red Cross provides a variety of programs and support services to members and their families. For example, the Red Cross facilitates communications about emergency events, like a death in the family, to those stationed overseas.

The Red Cross also provides health services to active service members, veterans, and their families in the U.S. For example, Brockshus’ team hosts support events like family fun days on base and Popcorn Fridays at the VA hospital.

After retiring from 23 years in the Air Force, Brockshus is proud to continue to support the military and Armed Forces.

“I wanted to still give back to the community. Working at the Red Cross lets me do that,” says Brockshus.

Discover volunteer opportunities that allow you to support your neighbors and honor those who serve: redcross.org/volunteer.