WASHINGTON — The White House official who authorized a $328,835 photo-op of Air Force One soaring above New York City resigned Friday just weeks after the flyover sparked panicked workers to rush into the streets and flashbacks to Sept. 11, 2001.
Louis Caldera said the controversy had "made it impossible for me to effectively lead the White House Military Office,” which is responsible for presidential aircraft.
An internal White House investigation found missed messages and portrayed an out-of-the-loop Caldera, clearly the administration’s fall guy.
The former Army secretary in the Clinton administration said he didn’t know Air Force One would fly at 1,000 feet during the April 27 photo shoot that had been planned for weeks. He also failed to read an e-mail describing the operation and seemed unaware of the potential for public fear, according to the seven-page White House report.
Without an advance public notice on April 27, the sight of the huge passenger jet and an F-16 fighter plane flying near the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan’s financial district terrified New Yorkers.
by the associated press
Louis Caldera said the controversy had "made it impossible for me to effectively lead the White House Military Office,” which is responsible for presidential aircraft.
An internal White House investigation found missed messages and portrayed an out-of-the-loop Caldera, clearly the administration’s fall guy.
The former Army secretary in the Clinton administration said he didn’t know Air Force One would fly at 1,000 feet during the April 27 photo shoot that had been planned for weeks. He also failed to read an e-mail describing the operation and seemed unaware of the potential for public fear, according to the seven-page White House report.
Without an advance public notice on April 27, the sight of the huge passenger jet and an F-16 fighter plane flying near the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan’s financial district terrified New Yorkers.
by the associated press
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