by Michael Muskal
Defense Secretary Robert Gates apologized today for the publicity stunt that terrified many New Yorkers still leery of another terror attack involving low-flying aircraft and cost as much as $357,000 in taxpayer funds to stage over Manhattan.
The flyby with a jumbo jet that serves as Air Force One and two other Air Force aircraft shocked commuters in Manhattan and New Jersey and was condemned by furious city and state officials.
In a letter released today, Gates apologized for the incident. The letter was posted on the Senate website of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, who has called the incident an "Air Farce One photo-op."
The cost of a jumbo jet that is used as the president's plane was estimated at between $300,658 and $328,835, Gates said. The cost of two accompanying F-16 jets was $28,177 for a maximum total of $357,012. The Air Force had previously disclosed the cost of the operation of the aircraft for the photo-shoot.
The idea was to use the April 27 flight for publicity pictures that included the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline. Instead, 911 emergency lines were clogged by people who saw the planes and thought it might be another terrorist attack, similar to the one on Sept. 11, 2001 when two hijacked airliners attacked the World Trade Center's twin towers, killing almost 3,000 people.
The publicity photographs have not been released, though the White House has promised to make them public this week. President Barack Obama personally has apologized for the incident as have other officials, including White House military aide Louis Caldera.
In his letter, Gates said the reaction to the low-flying planes was understandable, and "we deeply regret the anxiety and alarm that resulted from this mission."
But Gates also insisted that the appropriate agencies and air traffic controllers were told of the event. New York City officials have said they were asked not to inform the public beforehand.
"I am concerned that this highly public and visible mission did not include an appropriate public affairs plan nor adequate review and approval by senior Air Force and DOD (Department of Defense) officials," Gates said in his letter. He said the incident was being reviewed carefully by Defense officials.
Comments
Apology not excepted. Gates is an Idiot
Posted by: John | May 8, 2009 2:39 PM
Let's see OBAMA can release names and pictures of Americans who worked with the CIA to ferret out terrorists plans (Nancy Stillbrow, fake teeth, tries to smile/speak-Pelosi also knew of plans)
but Obama wants to with -hold pictures of Air Force One flying by the Statue of Liberty.
Give me a break. Obama's transparent presidency is a myth. As a matter of fact, Obama is all smoke and mirrors.
Ever notice how Obama has "others" take the knife while he stands to the side?
Out in 2012.
Posted by: Getta | May 8, 2009 2:48 PM
Guess the buck don't stop at Jimmy Obama's desk, he would rather stomp his foot and pass the buck.
Posted by: theidahokid | May 8, 2009 3:01 PM
Why are we sending a soldier to fall on the sword for Obama's mistake. Too bad he can't man up and admit what he did was insensitive and stupid. The buck stops with Obama and he should be grateful that Gates will take the hit like a good soldier. Wonder if Obama will have Homeland Security put Gates on some domestic terriost watch list.
Posted by: Red Blooded American | May 8, 2009 3:10 PM
Why did the NYC officials who reportedly knew of the ill-advised exercise in advance let the federal request for secrecy override plain common sense and concern for public safety?
Should local governments always obey every request and whim of the federal government?
Posted by: John Robin | May 8, 2009 3:19 PM
We will see just how "transparent" the most "transparent" administration in American history will be.
The Obama administration should release ALL photos, making them readily available to taxpayers who footed the bill for this photo-op.
By the way, even Sen. McCain has used taxpayer dollars for photo-ops. His slate is certainly NOT clean.
So, let's see this "change we can believe in."
Posted by: skeptic | May 8, 2009 3:26 PM
Ok 1 question, HOW CAN IT COST THAT MUCH MONEY FOR THIS FLIGHT ? But when the goverment pays 1200 dollars for a 6 foot ladder these cost are not surprising !
Posted by: AEM | May 8, 2009 3:36 PM
What a total bunch of CRAP!!!!!! $357,000 dollars blown, for a photo.
This is how our tax dollars are being wasted....as we try to endure through one of our worst financial eras of modern times. Way to go...our great politicians. Apologies for being beyond STUPID...don't make it.
Posted by: JackSplat | May 8, 2009 3:43 PM
And the scapegoat was a Bush hold-over.
Let's see the flip-flops. It was a training mission - no, a photo-shoot.
I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Case closed. - no, I'll do an investigation.
No photos will be released to the public - no, we'll publish the photos.
Posted by: Alien Rants | May 8, 2009 3:53 PM
Talk about government waste! Didn't any of the geniuses in charge ever hear of Photo Shop???
Much cheaper - Better result!
Clowns!
Posted by: RMF | May 8, 2009 3:59 PM
Photo Op? What about the cost to take the pictures? How much was that contract?
Posted by: Hawaiian Not For BO | May 8, 2009 4:01 PM
To all you republican losers... you lost the election and now you're showing us why.
Obama didn't pass the buck. He apologized, and he's now forced his DOD Sec. to apologize as well, even tho neither of them ordered the fly-by (which was ordered by Caldera, who also apologized.)
Like most republicans, you live in your own little ditto-head world (21% of the pop.) where truth is fiction and fiction is truth.
All you can do is whine and cry and lie, and every time you do you lose more support.
Posted by: Rob | May 8, 2009 4:25 PM
Change! Just when we thought we got rid of the dumbest President in history, along came a stupider one called Barack.
Posted by: Denny Crane | May 8, 2009 4:27 PM
Mountain. Molehill. 'nuff said.
Posted by: To the point | May 8, 2009 4:36 PM
"The idea was to use the April 27 flight for publicity pictures that included the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline."
Who was the prime mover
for this escapade?
Whose idea was it?
Certainly not Louis Caldera.
More likely the public relations
puppet master who created the Fantasyman was behind
another Obama public relations extravaganza!
The puppet master should resign for wasting
the $300K plus, stupidly endangering all involved in the photo-op and terrorizing Manhattan.
Will this be Obama's undoing like the"blue dress" was for Clinton?
We are waiting for the release
of the names of those on board the plane other than the crew.
QUO WARRANTO!
Posted by: keepemontheirtoes | May 8, 2009 4:51 PM
I still don't understand how this thing could happen.
The military attache makes decisions like this??
Besides wise and in addition to which--aren't the trappings at the White House enuff????
Just thank your stars they don't do a fly over tonite over the red carpet grand entrance to the "correspondents' dinner". With a "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" logo stenciled on the plane.....
O wait. Maybe they are planning it.....
A little humility might be in order when most Americans are hurting. Or, call it empathy.
Tonight, just recall that great Weegee photo of the dowagers in diamonds in furs arriving at the Metropolitan Opera, and the sidewalk spectator. The spectator is us.
Posted by: ornery | May 9, 2009 9:29 AM