Fighter pilot Heather Penney on Purdue journey and 9/11 mission

Media are encouraged to share, post and publish this content.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —

A special episode of the podcast “This Is Purdue” features Purdue alumna and former D.C. Air National Guard fighter pilot Heather Penney, who shares her story from 9/11, when she was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice with her flight lead, Marc Sasseville.

She reflects on the events of that historic day, from being selected to complete the mission to stop the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 to being grounded after hours of time in the air to how she feels about that day now, more than 20 years later.

Penney also expresses her gratitude for her time at Purdue, where her passion for flying blossomed further, and shares more about her experience training to become one of the nation’s first female fighter pilots.

Visit The Persistent Pursuit website to read more or to view or listen to the podcast.

Media contact: Amy Patterson Neubert, apatterson@purdue.edu

More Purdue News

Construction workers around girder

Purdue Polytechnic school renamed for Bowen family after $10M investment

December 17, 2025

Purdue University launches new online Master of Science in strategy in security and defense technologies

December 16, 2025

Joseph Balagtas, professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University.

Food survey records consumer perceptions during government shutdown

December 10, 2025

Writer to incorporate when release is finalized; see link above for best practices for alt text

Purdue, Purdue Research Foundation mark transformative year of growth, industry partnership

December 10, 2025