Miracle on the Hudson
US Airways flight 1549, piloted by Captain Chesley Sullenberger
Emergency landing in New York’s Hudson River
January 15, 2009
Credit: Steven Day / AP
America’s military veterans never fail to persevere and inspire in their duty and missions. How many iconic moments have forever been forged in our minds, our hearts, and on film to commemorate and revisit their heroism at home or abroad. Such was exemplified by Captain Chesley Sullenberger, veteran USAF fighter pilot and US Air Force Academy graduate, January 15, 2009, during his extraordinary Hudson River landing in saving 155 souls in the process.
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Honoring “The Miracle on the Hudson” Pilot
On January 15, 2009 – ten years ago today – New Yorkers watched in awe as an Airbus A320 glided into the Hudson River with a splash.
Moments later, its passengers and crew calmly began climbing out onto the wings of the floating aircraft. All had survived, with few injuries. The event appropriately became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
A few minutes earlier, US Airways Flight 1549 took off from La Guardia Airport just before 3:30 pm. It was a clear, crisp day, and all was normal.
Suddenly, a flock of geese smashed into the nose, wings, and the engines of the plane. The airplane in crisis, control was shifted to its captain, Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Sullenberger’s career began as a fighter pilot thirty-five years earlier. Sully’s military training, and lessons learned since, would show themselves in the most dangerous three and a half minutes of his career.
On the tenth anniversary of this incredible event, take a moment to watch the story of Sully and Flight 1549, as told by George Clooney.
The story of the “Miracle on the Hudson” captivated the nation in a time when many Americans were still reeling from the financial crisis, and in a city still scarred by September 11th. The five-minute flight of 1549 gave us hope, reminding us of the best of who we are as Americans, and that, in the end, we’re all on the same team.
James C. Roberts
President & Founder
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In Profound Gratitude for All who Serve
Tribute to Veterans 
They were all very fortunate to have a man with the ability and experience of a man like Sully. He was able to keep his head and rationalize the most plausible actions to take to keep his passengers and crew alive. He is a modern-day hero in an age when we desperately need such men!
All so true and photos from that event show not only Sully’s remarkable achievement but New Yorkers on the Hudson responding in tandem for the best possible outcome. A true display of skill and humanity when absolutely needed.