[Thermalseeker]

A training excercise does not involve a single F-16 buzzing a civilian area.

Lets assume for a minute that it was, as they say, a "training mission". As a pilot of more than 30 years I ask, training for what?

Lets assume for a minute that it was, as they say, a "photo op". Why in the world would they do an unannounced photo op flight resulting in numerous buildings in NY and NJ to be evacuated when millions of pictures of the Statue of Liberty exist and millions of picture of Air Force One exist and any two of which could easily be photoshopped together to create the desired image?

This one stinks to high heaven.....

[Alberta's Child]

I'm guessing the "photo shop" opportunity was for someone INSIDE the aircraft.

This whole thing stinks to high heaven. I can remember a low fly-by of military aircraft along the Hudson River a couple of years ago during Fleet Week in New York City. Every news outlet within 250 miles of Manhattan carried advance stories in the days leading up to it describing what was going to happen -- specifically to avoid any chance of chaos/panic that could have resulted among New Yorkers after 9/11.

[COBOL2Java]

Lets assume for a minute that it was, as they say, a "photo op". Why in the world would they do an unannounced photo op flight resulting in numerous buildings in NY and NJ to be evacuated when millions of pictures of the Statue of Liberty exist and millions of picture of Air Force One exist and any two of which could easily be photoshopped together to create the desired image?

Hollywood has to jump through a ton of hoops and get permits up the wazoo to be able to film a few minutes of footage for an upcoming movie. Everyone needs to be informed of what's going on - the municipal, state, and any other relevant authorities. In addition, private businesses near the site must be notified. Yet the clueless schmuck heading this administration can do what he pleases.

[Francis McClobber]

“As a pilot of more than 30 years I ask, training for what?”

The pilots of Air Force One need to maintain their minimums to stay qualified. I don't know for sure, but I believe they are required to keep up instrument, landing, VFR, EP and other quals just like all the other military pilots.

When I was flying in the military, we almost always combined hops to get the most out of our training dollars. When I was on the East Coast, we hopped up to New York occasionally on a cross country, combining VFR/IFR missions. Swinging by the Statue of Liberty for a photo op was SOP.

Of, course, this was before 9/11 and I wasn't in a 747.