Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger III, the heroic pilot famed for the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ in 2009, has announced he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The 75-year-old shared the news on his personal website, describing the early symptoms as difficulty recalling names, forgetting recent stories, and disrupted sleep.

Sullenberger gained widespread recognition after safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, following a bird strike that disabled both engines shortly after takeoff. All 155 people on board survived, a testament to his quick thinking and calm demeanor. The incident was later depicted in the 2016 film "Sully."

In his statement, Sullenberger expressed that the diagnosis has prompted him to consider his role in public service, concluding that speaking out about the disease is the right course of action. He likened the need for courage in battling Alzheimer's to the courage displayed by those involved in the Flight 1549 rescue, stating, "Now we need that courage to battle this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together."

Sullenberger, a former US Air Force fighter pilot, retired from flying in 2010 after 40 years and has continued his advocacy for aviation safety.