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Panel: Confusion Hampered Air Defense on Sept. 11

Tapes released by the commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks give voice to the confusion that reigned that day in America's air-defense response. The panel says the Pentagon fumbled its chance to intercept at least one of the hijacked planes, and jetfighters did not receive orders to shoot down the airliners in time. Hear NPR's Larry Abramson.

Copyright 2004 NPR

Larry Abramson is NPR's National Security Correspondent. He covers the Pentagon, as well as issues relating to the thousands of vets returning home from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.