Obama: Plane Flyover In New York A "Mistake"

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has ordered an internal review to determine how the decision was made to send of one of his official airplanes on a low-flying photo op past the New York City skyline.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that deputy chief of staff Jim Messina will lead the review. Gibbs said the point is to determine "why that decision was made and to ensure that it never happens again."

Gibbs said Obama was "furious" when he heard about the incident. Obama has called it a mistake.

On Monday, one of the Boeing 747s used by Obama and an F-16 jet circled the Statue of Liberty at the start of the work day, startling workers in lower Manhattan who feared a nightmarish replay of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Gibbs said that the review would likely take about a week or so to complete. He said he would have to confer with White House lawyers before answering a question about whether the results would be made public.

The director of the White House military office, Louis Caldera, took the blame for the incident in a statement Monday.

Comments

[blindhog]

Hey!!!!!! It was way more than a mistake. It was criminal!!!!

I have two young adults in the military and if in ANY way they, at the bottom of the rung had done anything 100th as bad they would be booted out of the military, if not jailed!

THIS CRETIN SHOULD BE FIRED AND CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST HIM!!!!!!!

[lynettema]

I would hate to be in President Obama's way when this investigation is over. He doesn't seem to suffer fools so well. Whoever okayed this fiasco should have to repay the taxpayers.

[CAP6]

This official said the White House military office told the Federal Aviation Administration that it was updating file photos of Air Force One near national landmarks, such as the statue in the New York harbor and the Grand Canyon. The official requested anonymity to give more details than the official White House announcement.

The FAA notified the New York Police Department of the flyover, telling them photos of the Air Force One jet would be taken about 1,500 feet above the Statue of Liberty around 10 a.m. Monday. It had a classified footnote that said "information in this document shall not be released to the public or the media."
http://media.www.dailylobo.com/media/storage/paper344/news/2009/04/28/News/Air-Force.One.Flyover.Causes.Stir.In.Ny-3728887-page2.shtml

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Insensitive? Without question. Poor Judgement? Absolutely. Incredibly arrogant? Incredibly. Was it a mistake? YES! Was the decision to approve the flyover demonstrative of the lack of common sense within the agencies involved? Well....there may be a sign at the agency entrance doors providing the following instructions; "Deposit Common Sense In Receptacle Provided Upon Entry. Be Sure To Retrieve Common Sense When Exiting The Building".

Human error made by multiple agencies at multiple levels. There will be additional errors made because humans are quite prolific at making human errors. The Obama Administration will make the requisite apologies to the people of New York, this mistake will not be repeated.

[MacQ]

It's ok folks.
The prez tossed it off as a mistake, and Caldera "takes responsibility" . What does that mean these days? It means you say those words and it's like it never happened.

[huffposeur]

caldera didn't take responsibility, silly. he was thrown under the bus.

too bad whatever footage they gathered will now be too hot to use in a 2012 campaign commercial,

[Norm]

What's up? DOD doesn't know how to Photoshop?????

[plzchuteme]

This incident was so ill-conceived, and so ill-managed, on so many levels. Didn't the president, within the past week, make a big deal about cutting costs? Even if this exercise had been handled properly, $330,000 is not a particularly responsible expenditure at this time, and for what? Pictures for the scrapbook? Beyond the costs, the fact is that the whole thing WAS mismanaged from top to bottom. Many people share shameful responsibility, including local officials. Perhaps, they were "just following orders."
Normally, I am an advocate for redemption and learning from mistakes, but this was too egregious, and showed too much lack of judgment by too many people, to let it go as a "teaching moment." I can't get past the idea that someone, in a position of power and responsibility, thought that this was a good idea.Some people need to be removed from those positions before they have any more "good ideas," and it shouldn't be the crew that washes the plane that takes the fall.

[greymom]

I guess Obama is going to determine he needs to micro-manage the military. I can't imagine who thought this was a good idea. Maybe it was a disgruntled Bush holdover out to sabatoge?

Not only ill-conceived but horrendous waste of money. Why didn't they ask some smart young kid with photoshop skills. Bet he or she would have done it for $50.

[lastpost]

If I were you Barack I’d ensure that anyone capable of dreaming up such an unthinking act, is denied a position which provides them with the authority to carry it out. If you can’t bring yourself to do that, you may wake up one morning to find the White House lawn planted with landmines. Failing this, circulate a telephone number. Via which, any of your people can anonymously notify you about a dumb notion proposed by their superior. Without fear of retribution, and before the geese hit the turbines.

[ekoorb]

It would be interesting to learn why Mr. Caldera's career path with the University of New Mexico went from President to Professor, in that order.

[Dunderslapoldmen]

Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York said in a statement that he asked Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, whose department oversee the Federal Aviation Administration, to create an “ironclad procedure” to inform the public about such flights at least 48 hours in advance.

“Somewhere along the line, someone at the FAA should have had the foresight to realize that New Yorkers would see this stunt and think back to 9-11,” Schumer said.

[twintwine]

And you are accomplishing what?

[Dunderslapoldmen]

Caldera yesterday took responsibility for authorizing a photo shoot involving the specially equipped 747 aircraft and a fighter jet escort that frightened Wall Street workers. The plane flew as low as 1,000 feet (305 meters).

In a statement yesterday evening, Caldera apologized for “any distress” it caused. While federal officials “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,” he said.

Caldera, 53, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a lawyer, was secretary of the Army during the Clinton administration and previously was a state legislator in California.

[Dunderslapoldmen]

The flight by the VC-25, a modified Boeing Co. 747, and two F-16 fighter jets cost $328,835, Air Force spokeswoman Vicki Stein said.

Three-Hour Mission

That includes $300,658 for the larger plane, which flew a three-hour mission, and about $28,178 for the F-16 jets, which flew 1.8 hours each, Stein said in an e-mailed statement.

[Vinca]

This incident with the , so-called photo-op with the plane, scaring the hell out of New Yorkers, It is puzzling. What's the real story?

[Tim303]

Two words:
1 Arlen
2 Specter

[Dunderslapoldmen]

Another old, seni-le, Dem-ocrat senator, like Byrd., Kennedy, Dodd, & Reid....who cares..

[Dunderslapoldmen]

Obama Orders Review of New York Flight as Cost Put at $328,835
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By Roger Runningen and Tony Capaccio

April 28 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama ordered a review of a publicity-photo shoot with one of the planes that serves as Air Force One that cost taxpayers $328,835 and caused a furor in New York City.

[Dunderslapoldmen]

If AF1 had hit a flock of birds and cra-shed, what would you libs think about the photo op then??

[Dunderslapoldmen]

" I didn't know who took my plane..I thought Michelle had gone shopping in France."

Barack Obama...April 28, 2009....after shooting hoops with a girls' team...