_____Related Articles_____ • N.Y., D.C. Rocked by Attacks • Bush Reacts, Moves to Nebraska • Pentagon Evacuated After Attack • Nightmare Shatters NY Morning • Nation's Capital Shaken • U.S. Tries to Identify Perpetrators • Aircraft Carriers Head to Cities • Federal Gov't Closes Offices • FAA Closes Airports • World Reacts With Revulsion • Attacks Snarl Local Traffic • D.C. Schools Feel Force of Attacks • Blood Donors Requested • Region's Phone System Strained • Internet Slows After Attacks • Stock Markets Closed • Baseball Cancels Games • Marc Fisher: Coddled No More • Howard Kurtz: Disaster Unfolds on TV News

_____Related Content_____ • Special Report: U.S. Under Attack • Overview: Q & A • Timeline of Today's Attacks • Previous Attacks on U.S. Targets _____Multimedia_____ • Photo Gallery: New York Attacks • MSNBC Video: Towers Collapse • MSNBC Video: Trade Center Crash • MSNBC Video: President Bush • Text: Bush Comments on Attacks • MSNBC Video: Colin Powell • MSNBC Video: Giuliani and Pataki • Video: Eyewitness at Pentagon • Audio: Expert on Anti-Terrorism • Audio: Colbert I. King • Webcam: Pentagon Fire _____Graphics_____ • Attack on the Pentagon • Attack on the World Trace Center • Area Map of World Trade Center • Location of Pennsylvania Crash _____Closings, Evacuations_____ • Nationwide Closures • D.C.-Area Closures

_____Pentagon Request_____ The Pentagon has asked that all Navy and Marine personnel who were in the building at the time of the attack to call in to a toll-free number so that the services can put together a roster. That number is 1-877-663-6772.

By Vernon Loeb and Brooke A. Masters
Reuters
Tuesday, September 11, 2001; 3:12 p.m. EDT

NORFOLK, Va., Sept 11—The U.S. Atlantic Fleet dispatched aircraft carriers to Washington and New York to provide air defenses for the nation's political and financial capitals after Tuesday's horrific attacks in both cities, officials said.

The fleet also sent guided missile cruisers and guided missile destroyers, capable of thwarting air attacks, and amphibious ships, equipped with onboard medical facilities, to New York.

"The amphibs have very extensive medical capabilities," said a spokesman the fleet. "The other ships are more defensive in nature, defensive-slash-security."

The U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet, based at Norfolk, Virginia was placed on the highest military alert, "Threat Con Delta" in the wake of what President George W. Bush called an "apparent terrorist attack" on New York and Washington.

Two hijacked commercial airliners crashed into the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center and a third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, leaving untold numbers of people dead.

"We have not seen an attack like this, certainly not since Pearl Harbor," said Adm. Robert Natter, commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.