White House apologizes for New York City photo-op

After delivering a Monday morning scare to New Yorkers still skittish from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a White House official apologized in the afternoon for the “confusion and disruption” caused by a photo-op that involved flying a plane from the Air Force One fleet at low levels around the city.

Louis Caldera, director of the White House military office, took responsibility for the decision to green light the flight of the 747 — one from the presidential fleet but named Air Force One only when the president is aboard — that reportedly forced evacuations and fear in New York City.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg was “furious,” according to reports, that he was not notified of the plan, which involved the 747 and following F-16 fighter jets streaking by the Statue of Liberty, very close to where the World Trade Center towers once stood.

Caldera said that when he approved the mission last week, local authorities were informed. Bloomberg and other authorities, however, were not.

“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,” Caldera said. “I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused.”

–Sam Youngman