Posted on 05/09/2009 4:30:54 AM PDT by Beckwith
A White House military aide who authorized an Air Force flyover of New York that caused panic among some people in the city resigned on Friday.
Louis Caldera said in a resignation letter to Obama that the controversy over the mission -- a photo shoot of a jumbo jet used as Air Force One with the Statue of Liberty in the background -- made it impossible for him to lead the White House Military Office (WHMO).
White House officials said the flight was designed to update the official photo of the plane, known as Air Force One when the president is aboard.
The flight over lower Manhattan for a photo shoot scared some New Yorkers who remembered the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 involving hijacked airliners that destroyed the World Trade Center. Many people panicked and evacuated office buildings when the planes flew over -- as low as 150 feet.
Caldera had approved the mission. His resignation came on the same day Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a letter to Senator John McCain that the photo shoot cost U.S. taxpayers as much as $357,000.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs (Gibbels) said Obama had accepted the resignation. Obama had been described as furious when the incident occurred on April 27 and demanded a review.
Isn't that tidy -- Louis Caldera is responsible -- but responsible for what?
Louis Caldera is responsible for "approving" the flight. No need to look any further. Caldera is responsible -- off with his head -- move on!
However, none of this answers the key question -- WHO REQUESTED THE FLIGHT?
Start with Caldera's boss. Who does Caldera work for -- and who does that guy work for -- and who does that guy work for. Somewhere up that food chain is the genius whose brainstorm is responsible for this clusterflop -- that person is the "Requestor" or "Initiator" -- that's the guy that is really responsible.
When the flight was a "Go," the WHMO Deputy Director sent an email to the Director, saying the flight would receive some "local press," but the White House shouldn't catch any questions about it. The email also suggested notifying Jim Messina and Robert Gibbels.
The flight then flew into history.
The White House (read Rhambo) investigated the flight and The White House Counsel's Office (Gregory Craig) produced a report, "Internal Review Concerning April 27, 2009 Air Force One Flight." (It's interesting this report uses the "Air Force One" designation, as the aircraft is only referred to in this way when POTUS is on board. Is Craig suggesting that Obama was on the flight?)
The report (I could access only the first 3 pages of the .pdf file for some reason) says that the Deputy Director of the WHMO "suggested that when the plan was finalized, the Director MAY want to inform White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Jim Messina (not the singer). The Deputy Director believed that Mr. Messina would want notice because the plan involved the use of the Presidential aircraft and because it was unusual."
Note, the focus of this report is on the WHMO, the initial flight planning and the subsequent processes and reviews that resulted in the flight. Nowhere in the "official" report is there any mention of the person or persons who initiated the request for the flight mission that was ultimately "approved" by Caldera.
And, it doesn't answer the secondary question -- WHO WAS ON BOARD? Any honest investigation would provide the flight and passenger manifests. Neither of these are addressed in the report (whitewash).
A Reuters news article said the report of the review, mentioned above, said ultimately Caldera did not notify relevant White House officials about the flyover in advance.
"When asked why he failed to do so, he did not offer a coherent explanation. He stated that it was not a conscious decision -- he did not intend not to notify them," it said. "Instead, he suggested that it may have been an oversight."
An oversight? I just find that statement to be unbelievable.
Caldera had previously apologized for the April 27 incident, saying, "Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision (approving the flight). 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."
And like a good little Obot, Caldera fell on his sword.
The White House Military Office (2,300 managers and staff) knew about the flight, and so did the Department of Defense, and Andrews Air Force Base, and the Air Mobility Command, and the Presidential Airlift Group, and the 89th Airlift Wing, and the Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic control representatives in the New York are, and "federal, state and local authorities."
It seems everyone in the government knew about the "secret flight" except Obama and his senior White House advisers. Sgt. Schultz ("I know nothing") would be proud.
Of course Obama was furious when the incident occurred. It hit the fan the day before his 100th day's celebration and victory speech, dramatically affecting the news.
But he knew nothing about it -- nor did any other "responsible" person in and around the White House -- just Caldera, even though the report contains several mentions of Jim Messina, whose boss is Rhambo -- and Rhambo's boss is Obama -- that's two degrees of separation.
I don’t know how accurate this is by it looks as if they did after all:
302nd Fighter Squadron
Lineage: Constituted 302nd Fighter Squadron 4 July 1942. Activated on 13 October 1942. Inactivated on 6 March 1945. Activated 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1987.
Aircraft: P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51
Operations: Combat in Mediterranean Theater of Operations and European Theather of Operations, 17 February 1944 - 20 February 1945.
Campaigns: Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Decorations: None
301st Fighter Squadron
Lineage: Constituted 301st Fighter Squadron 4 July 1942. Activated on 13 October 1942. Inactivated on 19 October 1945. Activated on 1 July 1947. Inactivated on 1 July 1949.
Aircraft: P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51
Operations: Combat in Mediterranean Theater of Operations and European Theather of Operations, 15 February - 26 April 1945.
Campaigns: Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 24 March 1945
http://www.bigboygear.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=T_History&Store_Code=BBH
I stand corrected:
302 FIGHTER SQUADRON (AFRC)
Lineage. Constituted 302 Fighter Squadron on 4 Jul 1942. Activated on 13 Oct 1942. Redesignated 302 Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 21 Aug 1944. Inactivated on 6 Mar 1945. Consolidated (19 Sep 1985) with the 302 Air Rescue Squadron, which was constituted on 1 Aug 1956. Activated in the Reserve on 8 Oct 1956. Redesignated: 302 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 18 Jan 1966; 302 Special Operations Squadron on 10 Apr 1974; 302 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 Jul 1987; 302 Fighter Squadron on 1 Feb 1992.
Assignments. 332 Fighter Group, 13 Oct 1942-6 Mar 1945. 2348 Air Reserve Flying Center, 8 Oct 1956; Fourth Air Force, 24 Jun 1960; Sixth Air Force Reserve Region, 1 Sep 1960; Western Air Force Reserve Region, 31 Dec 1969; Tenth Air Force, 8 Oct 1976; Fourth Air Force, 1 Mar 1983; 944 Tactical Fighter (later, 944 Fighter) Group, 1 Jul 1987; 944 Operations Group, 1 Aug 1992; 477 Fighter Group, 1 Oct 2007-.
Stations. Tuskegee AAB, AL, 13 Oct 1942; Selfridge Field, MI, 29 Mar 1943; Oscoda AAFld, MI, 19 Nov 1943; Selfridge Field, MI, 1-22 Dec 1943; Taranto, Italy, 1 Feb 1944; Montecorvino, Italy, 7 Feb 1944; Capodichino, Italy, 6 Mar 1944; Ramitelli Afld, Italy, c. 28 May 1944-6 Mar 1945. Williams AFB, AZ, 8 Oct 1956; Luke AFB, AZ, 23 Oct 1960; Elmendorf AFB, AK, 1 Oct 2007-.
Commanders. None (not manned), 13 Oct 1942-Mar 1943; 2 Lt William T. Mattison, 11 Mar 1943; 1 Lt Robert B. Tresville, 29 May 1943; 1 Lt Edward C. Gleed, 6 Jul 1943; Capt Melvin T. Jackson, 22 Apr 1944; Capt Vernon V. Haywood, Jan 1945-unkn. Maj Alvin J. Moser Jr., 8 Oct 1956; Lt Col William D. Hardy, 4 Jan 1960; Maj Cortez C. Brown (additional duty), 18 Mar 1960; Col Alvin J. Moser Jr., 9 May 1960; Col Victor M Coale, Dec 1967; Lt Col Henry E. Sherrill, 19 Mar 1971-unkn; Lt Col Paul B. Heironimus, unkn; Lt Col Amos R. Dreessen, unkn; Lt Col William B. McDaniel, c. Apr 1973; Lt Col Thomas R. Cooper, 26 Jul 1976; Lt Col Peter T. Pomonis, 10 Sep 1976; Col Thomas R. Cooper, Sep 1978; Lt Col Bruce P. Wood, 26 Aug 1980; Col James W. Matchette, 15 May 1981; Col Daniel L. Blanton, 28 Sep 1983; Maj Paul R. Davis, 27 Aug 1984; Lt Col Jon E. Hannan, 1 Sep 1985; none (not manned), 1-30 Jun 1987; Lt Col Stephen S. Summers, by Jan 1988; Lt Col Robert L. Brown, 1 Mar 1991; Lt Col Floyd C. Williams, 13 Sep 1992; Lt Col Roger A. Binder, 14 Oct 1995; Lt Col Patrick J. Shay, 13 Jul 1997; Lt Col Lance D. Undhjem, 11 Jul 1999; Lt Col Anthony J. Comtois, 15 Jul 2001; Maj Alan J. Shawcross, 5 Apr 2003; Lt Col Leonard S. Dick, 29 Apr 2003; Lt Col Thomas P. Harwood III, 11 Sep 2003; Lt Col Donald R. Lindberg, 1 Mar 2005-unkn.
Aircraft. P-40, 1943; P-39, 1943-1944; P-47, 1944; P-51, 1944-1945. SA (later, HU)-16, 1956-1971; HH-34, 1971-1974; CH-3, 1974-1987; HH-3, 1985-1987; F-16, 1987-.
Operations. One of four African-American fighter squadrons to enter combat in World War II. Combat in European Theater of Operations (ETO) and Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO), 17 Feb 1944-20 Feb 1945. Trained in the Reserve for and performed search and rescue (SAR), in addition to some medical air evacuation missions, mainly in the southwestern United States, 1956-1974. In 1974, mission changed to training for a combat SAR role, while continuing to perform some search and rescue. Changed, in mid-1987, to a fighter role and trained for counterair, interdiction, and close air support missions. Deployed several times since late 1992 to Turkey to help enforce the no-fly zone over Iraq and to Italy to support UN air operations in the Balkans. In 1998 became the first Air Force Reserve fighter unit to fly operational missions with coalition forces in support of OPERATION NORTHERN WATCH.
Service Streamers. World War II American Theater.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; Rhineland; North Apennines; Air Combat, EAME Theater. Southwest Asia: Ceasefire Campaign.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Apr 1974-31 Dec 1975; 1 Jul 1987-31 Aug 1989; 1 Jan 1990-31 Dec 1991; 1 Jan 1992-30 Jun 1993; 28 Nov 1993-6 Feb 1994; 6 Sep 1998-5 Sep 2000.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 14 Jul 2008.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 1 Oct 2007.
Supersedes statement prepared on 30 Aug 2001.
Emblem. Approved on 2 Nov 1944; new rendition approved on 25 May 2007.
Prepared by Patsy Robertson.
Reviewed by Daniel Haulman.
http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10639
Probably means an altitude of 150 feet above the tallest obstruction.
If Hussein can't handle an inanimate object, he's not fit to handle an entire nation.
That’s what I want to know — who was on the plane? I, too, think it was a Lincoln-bedroom payback of some kind.
Time for an investigation. Perhaps Karl Rove could chair it. I am continuing to really like him.
"Venus 1" -- you're not thinking Michelle, are you?
Not to mention a trip to Ft. Marcy Park
Karl Rove ? The Justice Dept will of course name Karl Rove.
What alternative universe are you living in? I'd like to go there since it must be a wonderful place where fantasies come true
They were on a shopping trip to NY for $450. tenny runners. All you peons shut up and obey.
The official WH statement says that the F-16s were DC ANG.
The DC ANG “Red Tails?”
I just googled the link words and found this:
http://moneyrunner.blogspot.com/2009/04/so-who-wanted-pictures-of-air-force-one.html
6:40 PM
Anonymous said...
I don’t know how this could be proved (I assume the Pentagon and White House wouldn’t just ‘fess up) and the picture itself may just be a trick of the light. However, George Lucas is filming “Red Tails”, about the Tuskegee Airman of WWII, famous in part for the red tail marking on their plane and, as, for example, in this photo of the flyover.
I don’t know how he would work it into the film but it would be a cool cinematic postscript to the WWII history of a spiritual heir to the Tuskegee Airmen was escoring our first black President in AF!.
All fiction, of course, and George Lucas ought to be able to do that with special effects. Still, it’s an idea.
Tom Maguire
Worst one that I recall was when the White House Plumbers went over to retrieve call girl pictures from Larry O'Brien's desk at the Watergate.
That one wasn't as serious as Les Aspin's failure to provide armor to our troops in Somalia of course, but the degree of stupidity was comparable ~ as was the damage to the administration (or regime in Billzo's case) in general.
We are not going to remember this loser Caldera (that's a Romany surname if I ever saw one) for long, but we will always remember the day Obama bin Laden buzzed New York City just to watch the suckers squeal and run!
I think it is strange that no one (including FOX ) is asking that question.
Connecting some dots, here.
At least one of the escorting F-16s was from the Alabama ANG, Red Tail and all.
Could this photo op mission have any particular connection to a new movie due out this year?
Could that connection explain the WHMO’s eagerness to get some current glamour shots of BHO’s A/C, escorted by the descendants of the Tuskegee Airmen, while flathatting over “the target formerly known as Ground Zero”?
Just imagine the powerful, beautiful imagery of these aircraft during this mission, accompanied by a stirring soundtrack, playing over the closing credits, or released as publicity stills or fundraising fodder - “Yes, America, sleep well...BHO’s got you covered.”
Well, minus the terrified, fleeing citizens on the ground, of course. Ooops. Caldera, you take this one.
“Mission Accomplished”, indeed.
Naw, I’ll bet I’m wrong. Coincidences, all...surely.
If this was an actual photo shoot it wouldn’t have been done through a jet’s window. The window reflection is in the upper right of the photo. Another type of plane would have been used for this kind of photography and for that amount of money. Shooting it earlier in the morning you would have had better light as this one looks kind of hazy, but that could be from the “window”. Maybe Michelle over slept that day.
I doubt Obama knew in advance. The USAF does plenty of photo shoots. The missions are training missions that need to be flown for pilot training regardless - the $300K+ figure is BS.
In the photo shoots I’ve dealt with - NOT AF1! - a General has to approve the plan. Assuming no objections from the FAA, it flies. No big deal.
And I’ll admit - it would never have occurred to me that people would freak out in NYC over an airplane. Goodness knows, there is no sign more than 5% of New Yorkers remember 9/11 anyways - not with how they vote, at least.
The people of New York (and America) voted for a Muslim-loving, terrorist forgiving, pansy weenie for President. For years, NYC has opposed the GWOT. Hell, they ought to get enough overflights to remind them DAILY of the threat...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.