Flight of fancy brings down aide

Published on Saturday 9 May 2009 19:56

THE White House official who authorised a $328,835 photo-opportunity of Air Force One soaring above New York City has resigned, as the administration tries to move past the embarrassing incident that sent panicked workers rushing into the streets amid flashbacks of 11 September, 2001.

As former army secretary Louis Caldera took the fall for the flyover, the White House released the findings of an internal investigation that portrayed him as out of the loop in a cycle of missed messages and questionable judgments while plans for the photo-shoot proceeded.

Caldera said he didn't know Air Force One would fly at 1,000ft during the 27 April photo promotion, according to the investigation findings. He also failed to read an e-mail describing the operation and seemed unaware of the potential for public fear.

Local officials had been notified in advance. But it was a shock to New Yorkers who looked up to see the Boeing 747 and its fighter jet escort flying near the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan's financial district, a terrifying reminder of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in which jets brought down the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told local officials in advance of the flight but asked them not to disclose it to the public, the White House report said. There was a prepared statement for the FAA's New York regional office and the air force in Washington to release if anyone called to ask about the flight.

In his resignation letter, Caldera said the controversy had "made it impossible for me to effectively lead the White House military office", which is responsible for presidential aircraft. "Moreover, it has become a distraction in the important work you are doing as president," he wrote in the letter addressed to Barack Obama.

Last month, Obama called the flight a mistake and vowed it would not be repeated.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Obama had ordered a review of how the White House military office is set up, and how it reports to the White House and the air force.

Caldera's office approved the photo-op, which cost $35,000 in fuel alone for the plane and two jet fighter escorts.

White House officials said the purpose of the flight had been to update the official photograph of the plane, known as Air Force One when the president is aboard.

The White House report portrayed Caldera as deaf to concerns. After the flight, he met with top administration officials and was asked if the White House had been notified. "The director responded yes, someone had mentioned it to him," the report said.

Later in the meeting, a White House official presented Caldera with a letter accepting responsibility. He made some edits and took responsibility because he thought it was the "stand-up thing to do".

The White House report also indicated the operation was packed with potential opportunities for administration officials to call it off.

The report's release is hardly the end of the matter for the White House. Defence Secretary Robert Gates has ordered a review at the Pentagon, while the air force is also conducting a review.

In a letter to Senator John McCain, the former Republican presidential nominee, Gates apologised for the incident, saying "we deeply regret the anxiety and alarm that resulted from this mission".

He went on: "I am concerned that this highly public and visible mission did not include an appropriate review and approval by senior air force and (department of defence] officials."

The review of the White House military office ordered by Obama will offer recommendations designed to ensure that such an incident will not happen again.