In the early afternoon of September 11, 2001, within hours of the attack on the World Trade Center, the FBI approached Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum leadership to request use of the ship as an emergency operations center from which to launch the initial investigation into the attack.  Intrepid offered a unique combination of a secure site with land, sea and air access and an easy approach to Ground Zero.  Museum leadership immediately agreed and closed Intrepid to the public.

Over the next several weeks, 500 FBI agents and other law enforcement operated from Intrepid round-the-clock, fielding half a million phone calls and compiling important intelligence on the 9-11 attacks.  In this way, the former USS Intrepid, retired from active duty in 1974, again served our country and played a role in our nation’s response to the attack.

On Tuesday, September 11, as the country marks the eleventh anniversary of the attacks, Intrepid Museum honors and remembers the victims, first responders, and all those who were personally affected by this tragic event.