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SSgt Kandi Karlene Mitchell Oral History
Publication date: 27 August 2026
File metadata
Dublin Core Metadata
title:
SSgt Kandi Karlene Mitchell Oral History
creator:
Mitchell, Kandi Karlene
subject:
Air Force
description:
I served as an air traffic controller during my 8-year enlistment in the Air Force. I was assigned to Langley Air Force Base when the Twin Towers and Pentagon were attacked on September 11th, 2001. My tower crew launched alert aircraft to intercept hijacked aircraft approaching Washington, D.C. that morning. We assisted the FAA with the National Airspace shutdown and watched in disbelief as thousands of flights were forced to land. One by one, flights disappeared from radar scopes around the country and the screens went eerily dark. Following that, I was transferred to Anchorage Alaska. From there, I deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq, to support the safe and expeditious delivery of supplies, equipment, and personnel for the first democratic election held there in half a century. My experience there is one I will never forget and I am proud to have served my Nation in such an important role. Kandi left the service in 2006 having reached the rank of staff sergeant, and for her service she was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon.
publisher:
Military Women's Memorial Foundation
contributor:
Davenport, Corinne
date:
2026-08-08
type:
Moving Image
format:
Born Digital
identifier:
1721; 2026.010
source:
9/11 25th Anniversary | OHP
language:
English
relation:
643553
coverage:
Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq)—2003-2011 | 1990s | 2000s | 1998-2006
rights:
Unrestricted