JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — Marc H. Sasseville was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and took command of the 113th Wing, District of Columbia National Guard, during a recent ceremony.

“As I look at the credentials required to run this wing, Brig. Gen. Sasseville has all of the credentials and more,” said Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard.

Sasseville’s career is filled with many accomplishments, including serving previously as the 113th Wing vice commander and as an F-16 pilot protecting the nation’s capital while the U.S. was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001.

Sasseville was ordered to strike down the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 from hitting a target in the nation’s capital. However, he did not have missiles or ammunition, so he decided to take the plane out by striking the cockpit with his own jet.

Unbeknown to Sasseville, Flight 93 had already crashed in a Pennsylvania field and he did not have to strike down the aircraft. However, he was prepared to answer his nation’s call to protect his fellow countrymen.

Sasseville is the son of a Lewiston native and still has family in the area. He graduated high school from the American School of Madrid in 1981, where his father worked for the U.S. Embassy.

Sasseville graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and served on active duty until 1999 when he enlisted into the District of Columbia Air National Guard as a traditional Guardsman as chief of weapons.

He deployed to Iraq as commander of 410th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron in 2003. Before his current position he worked in the Pentagon as deputy director of readiness.

Sasseville said he is excited at the challenges ahead, to include an Operational Readiness Inspection, and he believes the future is bright for the 113th Wing. “Together we’re going to remain proven, vigilant and ready on our quest for greatness,” he said.

Under the previous command, the 113th Wing received many awards and accolades, including the Air Force Meritorious Award, Distinguished Air Force Flying Unit Award and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The wing also received the National Guard Association of the United States Spaatz Trophy and passed numerous wing inspections.

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