Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., told Fox News Digital that he learned of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks while on a moose-hunting trip in a remote part of Alaska and that the news helped prompt him to enlist in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard.
Downing, who is marking the 24th anniversary of the attacks as a member of Congress, said he and a friend were in a wilderness camp with only an aviation radio for outside communication when they noticed the absence of aircraft over the region. "I'm thinking nuclear holocaust. I have no idea what could make planes stop flying," he said in the interview.
He said the hunters planned to wait for their scheduled pickup but decided to hike toward Anchorage if they were not collected. As they were breaking camp on Sept. 16, a Grumman Goose landed on the lake and its pilot told them, after rolling down a window, that "They blew up the World Trade Center." Downing said the camp had no television and they had not seen footage of the attacks.
With Canadian airspace closed in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, Downing said he had to wait to get out of Alaska. "As soon as they opened the air space, I flew home and the next day, I walked into a recruiter's office," he said. He had been a tech entrepreneur and said he had not considered joining the military before. When he told a recruiter his age, he said, "I said, '34.' He goes, 'Good, 35 is the cutoff, go take the ASVAB.'"
Downing served in the Air Force and the Air National Guard and completed two tours in Afghanistan, including with a combat search and rescue squad, according to his account. He was elected to the U.S. House earlier this year after serving as Montana state auditor.
Reflecting on the aftermath of Sept. 11, Downing said the national unity he observed then should be remembered. "We were all just Americans, and you saw those flags everywhere, and you saw this common goal of fighting back, of coming together," he told Fox News Digital. He added that the country must continue to take care of veterans.
The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks prompted a broad surge in enlistments and major changes to U.S. national security policy, including sustained military operations in Afghanistan. Downing's account echoes the experiences of many who have said the attacks altered their life plans and led them to military service.
Downing discussed his experience as part of remarks tied to the anniversary, emphasizing remembrance of the victims and support for service members. His remarks were published by Fox News Digital.