Forum: Air Force Life

The fall out from this is going to be fun to watch...

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first10 ... york-city/

White House Official Apologizes for Air Force One Photo Op in New York City
Numerous buildings in lower Manhattan evacuated in a panic during this morning's false alarm.
By Mike Emanuel

FOXNews.com

Monday, April 27, 2009

White House Military Office Director Louis Caldera apologized for any panic caused by a flight mission and photo op that looked like Air Force One and fighter jets heading toward the New York City skyline Monday morning.

Caldera said he approved the mission last week and that federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey.

But for people who work in the New York financial district, the event brought back nightmares of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Numerous buildings in lower Manhattan evacuated in a panic during this morning's false alarm.

"It's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused," Caldera said in a White House issued paper statement.

The plane that flew in New York Monday was a version of the Boeing 747 that's called Air Force One when the president is aboard.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg blasted the photo opportunity for being insensitive and showing "poor judgment."

In a brief statement after the flight, the New York Police Department acknowledged it was aware the flight was happening, but claimed the Federal Aviation Administration told them not to talk about it.

"The flight of a VC-25 aircraft and F-16 fighters this morning was authorized by the FAA for the vicinity of the Statue of Liberty with directives to local authorities not to disclose information about it but to direct any inquiries to the FAA Air Traffic Security Coordinator," the statement said.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs was asked several times about the flight during his daily briefing and promised he would try to get back to reporters with some answers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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I wander whos Jets those where.

The F-16 was from the 113th FW.

i figured dc or vermont thanks

Its kind of funny in the sense that the White House is that naive. "Lets fly a 747 over NYC without letting anyone know and take some pictures." Really? How retarded. Applause

A little more than a month ago, USN almost ignited Hainan Island incidence Part2 with its surveillance ship off coast of China.

This week, USAF enjoyed its term of being the loose cannon by flying one of the two Air Force Ones plus a F16 escort over 9/11 site in New York, UNANNOUNCED, reigniting public fear and nearly triggered a 9/11-style public panic.

Upon hearing the news, POUS went ballistic; White House spokesperson apologized on behalf of United States Air Force (USAF), the Loose Cannon of the day.

The USAF is the "loose cannon"?

(emphasis mine)

Quote:

Caldera said he approved the mission last week and that federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey.

Quote:

In a brief statement after the flight, the New York Police Department acknowledged it was aware the flight was happening, but claimed the Federal Aviation Administration told them not to talk about it.

The flight of a VC-25 aircraft and F-16 fighters this morning was authorized by the FAA...with directives to local authorities not to disclose information about it but to direct any inquiries to the FAA Air Traffic Security Coordinator

Now just who is the "loose cannon"? If anyone's to blame here, it's the civilian agencies, not USAF. Why they chose not to disclose the flight is anyone's guess but it was a poor judgment call, which isn't surprising.

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Its kind of funny in the sense that the White House is that naive. "Lets fly a 747 over NYC without letting anyone know and take some pictures." Really? How retarded. Applause

All I heard about was that it was a 747. You mean to tell me nobody realized that it was "AIR FORCE ONE" with a FIGHTER escort? Joe Sixpack probably doesn't know the difference between AF1 and a VC-25.

As for the USN, next time, if they're in international waters, just have the Weapons Officer's finger slip on the trigger and turn those Chinese ships into submarines....and then DON'T apologize.

The white house released a statement...: "OOPS"

If Bush had done this the media would be screaming for his head.

Sorry, but the photoshoot was just in really poor taste. They could have CGIed it without scaring the hell out of NYC. Most people wouldnt recognize Air Force One. Or that the fighter was an escort, not sent up to intercept

To paraphrase Shakespeare, it was "much ado about very little". The liberals will have a field day over it, I'm sure.

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Most people wouldnt recognize Air Force One

Maybe from the bottom, but catching a glimpse of the rest of the plane would sure be a tip-off. It worked on that secret flight to Baghdad for Thanksgiving with the troops. The AF filed a flightplan for a Gulfstream, but almost had their cover blown when somebody over London called the tower and asked about a big plane wiht UNITED STATES OF AMERICA blazed on the side.

Yeah, they could have set a PowerPoint Ranger loose on PhotoShop.

Oh, well, they better release the pics then, they should be good ones.

NYC

Chicken One crosses the road and everyone panics.

Beagle79 wrote:

A little more than a month ago, USN almost ignited Hainan Island incidence Part2 with its surveillance ship off coast of China.

This week, USAF enjoyed its term of being the loose cannon by flying one of the two Air Force Ones plus a F16 escort over 9/11 site in New York, UNANNOUNCED, reigniting public fear and nearly triggered a 9/11-style public panic.

Upon hearing the news, POUS went ballistic; White House spokesperson apologized on behalf of United States Air Force (USAF), the Loose Cannon of the day.

What a ridiculous statement about the US Navy ships in International waters being harassed and endangered by Chicom boats. Did you have the same take on the Chinese cowboy fighter pilot killing himself by colliding with the P-3 8 years ago?

I dont think it would have been good to give everyone a heads up that Air Force One would be flying very low for a photo op. Every terrorist in northern america with a stinger would be on their way to NYC!!

SwampFox80 wrote:

I dont think it would have been good to give everyone a heads up that Air Force One would be flying very low for a photo op. Every terrorist in northern america with a stinger would be on their way to NYC!!

Its only "Air Force One" when the President is on it. Otherwise its just a blue/turquoise-colored 747

Forum: Air Force Life

NYC fly over photo-op