White House Apologizes for Air Force Flyover

New York Times ^ | April 27, 2009 | A. G. Sulzberger and Matthew L. Wald

[reaganaut1]

An Air Force One lookalike, the backup plane for the one regularly used by the president, flew low over parts of New York and New Jersey on Monday morning, accompanied by two F-16 fighters, so Air Force photographers could take pictures high above the New York harbor.

But the exercise — conducted without any notification to the public — caused momentary panic in some quarters and led to the evacuation of several buildings in Lower Manhattan and Jersey City. By the afternoon, the situation had turned into a political fuse box, with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg saying that he was “furious” that he had not been told in advance about the flyover.

At 4:39 p.m. Monday, the White House issued an apology for the flyover. Louis E. Caldera, director of the White House Military Office, who served in the Clinton administration as secretary of the Army, said in a statement:

Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision. While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it’s clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused.

The mission on Monday, officials said, was set up to create an iconic shot of Air Force One, similar to one that was taken in recent years over the Grand Canyon.

When President Obama learned of the episode on Monday afternoon, aides said, he, too, was furious. Senior administration officials conveyed the president’s anger in a meeting with Mr. Caldera on Monday afternoon.

[joejm65]

Nobie was ‘furious’, huh? Yeah, my a**.

[razorback-bert]

President Obama learned of the episode on Monday afternoon, aides said, he, too, was furious.

BS

[Cementjungle]

When President Obama learned of the episode on Monday afternoon, aides said, he, too, was furious.

Now, whould anyone care to buy a lovely bridge in Brooklyn?

[Redbob]

"Senior administration officials conveyed the president’s anger in a meeting with Mr. Caldera on Monday afternoon."

Also known as an "Extemporaneous Performance Review!"
LOL!

[Ronin]

Those silly New Yorkers...

I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone would be upset at a low flying airliner over the city seemingly being chased by Air Force fighters...

[EGPWS]

...the White House issued an apology...

Obama, copy and save for pasting for it's easier...

[unkus]

Tough if they panicked. They voted for the depraved one. They’ll get used to these little “inconveniences”.

[pillut48]

Like my 8 y/o used to say, “Stupid poopyheads!!!”
>:-(

[dfwgator]

Haven’t they ever heard of Google Maps?

[TexasNative2000]

When President Obama learned of the episode on Monday afternoon, aides said, he, too, was furious.

Do tell......

[Repealthe17thAmendment]

When President Obama learned of the episode on Monday afternoon, aides said, he, too, was furious. Senior administration officials conveyed the president’s anger in a meeting with Mr. Caldera on Monday afternoon.

So the official story is that it was done without his knowledge? I don't believe that. Nice to know that Obama has your back, huh, Caldera?

Military folks beware. Obama will throw anyone under the bus.

[basil]

Oh--they're going to apologize---that will make it just hunky-dory won't it? The people running this nation at the moment are idiots--scary idiots with entirely too much power.

Pray for the USA to survive this nightmare administration.

[Clock King]

These people are pathetic posers. All show, all camera. God, I hope America is learning its lesson about electing “idols”.

[avacado]

" so Air Force photographers could take pictures high above the New York harbor."

Nonsense! They could use a helicopter for pictures... Don't need a jumbo-jet 747, and especially Air Force One. This story stinks!

[Never on my watch]

Mr. Caldera, I would like you to meet Mr. Bus.

[Dallas59]

Screw you Obama.

[dfwgator]

Oh well, if Obama was furious, well hey, then he’s off the hook. /s

[two23]

Wonder if it was first spouse and her entourage of magazine friends?