Block of Stone from 9/11 Pentagon Attack is a Powerful Reminder for Those Protecting Washington

Annapolis, Maryland—In a secure location in Washington, D.C., dozens of servicemen and women work daily around the clock to track and identify every aircraft that approaches the skies of the nation’s capital. Their mission—known as the Joint Air Defense Operations Center (JADOC)—was created after the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center.

In a brief ceremony held recently, ARINC Engineering Services, LLC—the prime contractor for JADOC’s technical and engineering support—made an extraordinary gift presentation to this important customer: a museum-quality exhibit case to display a large white stone fragment of the Pentagon that was recovered after the 9/11 attack.

ARINC Vice President Monty Montero unveiled the display in a brief ceremony at JADOC headquarters. It will be located within the secure entranceway at JADOC, where every member of the mission must pass by every day.

“This stone fragment of the Pentagon symbolizes far more than the tragic attack of 9/11,” Montero stated. “It will be a constant reminder of sacrifices made by others, and of the vital purpose behind the JADOC mission—the vigilant defense of the nation’s capital.”

Speaking for JADOC, Lt. Col. Brian Lehew agreed. “It is a fact that this planet Earth would be very, very different without America. There are those who are trying to tip the balance and diminish our role in the free world; they are trying to keep us off balance. This Pentagon artifact is a vivid reminder of their determination. But more than that, it’s a daily reminder that our mission is valuable and essential to what we collectively do here—defending the Nation and its infrastructure in the name of freedom.”

ARINC Engineering Services is currently executing the second year of a four-year contract as the prime contractor and team lead for 24/7/365 infrastructure and operational support to the National Capital Region’s Integrated Air Defense System (NCR-IADS). An activity of NORAD, NCR-IADS protects the U.S. National Capital Region against air threats. ARINC’s support provides mission-critical network infrastructure sustainment, including maintaining and improving data and communications networks and facilities, and ensuring that systems are operational to allow JADOC personnel to monitor and protect the National Capital Region airspace.

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional headquarters in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2008 certified.

Release: 09-007

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