The issue wasn't capability it was decision making, plain and simple.

So you're saying that we had more capable (or, at least, more)
interceptors available in the New York to DC corridor, but the command
authority decided not to launch them?

Given the short length of time they had to assess the situation, and
given the fact that the Pentagon itself was under attack, this seems
unlikely at best. In the haze of battle, not knowing the nature or
duration of the attack, I would be extraordinarily surprised if they
didn't launch everything they had.

In fact, if they *didn't* launch everything available, the conspiracy
nuts would have found out about it long ago, methinks, and had a field
day with the information.

But whatever -- we've beaten this one to death, and what we know, or
think we know, is of little consequence. All we really know is that
the F-15s are grounded until further notice, the F-16s are spread
thin, and the F-22s are too few to matter.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"