The secrets behind the soldiers of our skies.

• Author: Biles, Clay W.
• Position: Homeland Security - Column

I CALMLY WATCHED the aisle in front of me and took in the spectacle unfolding in the cabin. Two men in black masks were prowling the aisles and yelling commands. "Nobody move!" said one of the masked men. "This is a hijacking!" said another.

I slouched back in my seat to avoid detection and watched my partner from the comer of my right eye. My partner was slouched slightly in his seat as well, watching the drama on his side of the split aisle, wide-bodied aircraft. I waited for his move. One of the hijackers pushed a flight attendant down to the ground and the other turned to see the action. They had put themselves in a vulnerable position: their eyes were focused toward the front of the aircraft instead of on the passengers. I knew that we were preparing our actions and sensed my partner's movement. In my peripheral, I watched as he began to draw his firearm. The race was on.

Within a split second my firearm was extended in front of me. Front sight focus. Multiple shots rang out and both hijackers dropped from where they once stood. "Police, don't move! Police, don't move!"

Passengers in the cabin screamed and the woman sitting next to me grabbed ahold of my shirt in panic. "Relax," I told her. "I'm one of the good guys." I quickly tucked my firearm to my chest and felt the woman's body for weapons while crouching up on my seat and wedging my body against hers. I had pinned her against the window to keep her from moving and positioned myself to have a better view of the cabin.

I caught a glimpse of my partner during my scan. He also was searching for additional threats. My partner yelled out to me in his desire to move up the aisle. "Moving!" I was stuck for the moment, but I acknowledged him anyway. I knew that I would follow him soon, after things calmed down in the aircraft.

"Move." I replied, controlling my breathing. My partner charged up the aisle like a cat, hunched low to avoid inquiring eyes. I heard a commotion toward the front of the aircraft, but avoided being drawn into the action. I knew our safety depended on both of us doing our jobs. At the moment, my job was to cover my partner until he had things under control. Once things had calmed down and he was in position, I prepared for my movement. I would use the passenger I was sitting on as a springboard, and began applying my body weight in preparation of my launch.

"Moving." I said, waiting for his acknowledgement I was not making a request; I knew that if he did not reply...