In February 2000, “After several data runs, the Able Danger operation at LIWA [Land Information Warfare Activity] gets four extraordinary hits that, if acted upon by the FBI, could have interdicted the 9/11 plot. The data harvest reveals the identity of lead hijacker Mohammed Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi (who will pilot UA Flight 175) and AA Flight 77 hijackers [Khalid] al-Midhar and [Nawaf] al-Hazmi. The operation also finds an active link between al Qaeda and the Brooklyn cell of [Day of Terror bombing conspirator] Sheikh [Omar Abdel] Rahman. This confirms al Qaeda’s link (via [World Trade Center bomber] Ramzi Yousef) with both attacks on the WTC (1993 and 2001) and vindicates the intelligence uncovered by Col. Rodolfo Mendoza of the PNP [Philippines National Police].” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Peter Lance, Triple Cross, (Timeline) Page 28