As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, recently declassified FBI records confirm that Oklahoma played a role in the early movements of three of the hijackers. The Trump administration has announced it will review and, where appropriate, release interview memos and related documents from senior officials of prior administrations, underscoring a commitment to transparency and national security.
Flight school inquiries and hotel stays
Mohamed Atta, identified by the 9/11 Commission as the pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, submitted an online request in March 2000 for information from the Airman Flight School in Norman, Oklahoma. After arriving in the United States in June 2000, Atta activated a New York cell‑phone number and listed a Norman address tied to the flight school.
Atta’s name appears alongside Marwan al‑Shehhi, the pilot of United Airlines Flight 175. Both men checked into the Sooner Hotel and Suites at the University of Oklahoma in July 2000, with the flight school reportedly covering their lodging. Neither completed flight training in Oklahoma; they later trained in Florida.
Other hijackers with Oklahoma ties
Nawaf al‑Hazmi, one of the five hijackers who crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, received a speeding ticket in Oklahoma in March 2001, just five months before the attack.
Zacarias Moussaoui, often called the “20th hijacker,” spent three months training at the Airman Flight School in Oklahoma City beginning in February 2001 before being dismissed for poor performance. He later sought 747 simulator training in Minnesota, raising further suspicion before his August 2001 arrest on immigration charges.
Trump administration’s response
In a letter to the National Archives’ Public Interest Declassification Board, President Trump directed a review of interview memos from senior officials of the Clinton and Bush administrations, as well as documents detailing Osama bin Laden’s network and al‑Qaeda’s intent to strike U.S. soil. The administration emphasizes that releasing these records will help the public understand the full scope of the threat and reinforce the nation’s resolve against terrorism.
Historical context and local reflections
While the records do not show that bin Laden personally directed the hijackers to Oklahoma, the state’s connections to the events remain significant. Families of victims continue to share their stories, and local leaders, including Oklahoma chaplains, reflect on the heroism displayed on that tragic day.
Melissa Doi’s desperate 20‑minute phone call from the 83rd floor of the South Tower remains a haunting reminder of the human cost. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost on September 11, 2001, shaping a defining moment in American history.
Looking forward
The Trump administration’s commitment to transparency aims to provide closure for families and reinforce the nation’s dedication to defending liberty, faith, and the traditional family values that underpin our communities. By making these records available, the administration hopes to strengthen public trust and ensure that future generations understand the sacrifices made to protect America’s freedoms.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
