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WASHINGTON, April 27 (KUNA) -- Louis Caldera, director of the White House
Military Office, apologized on Monday for approving a low-level flight of the
presidential plane Air Force One over New York City that prompted panic and
evacuations from residents who recalled the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"Last week, I approved a mission over New York," Caldera said in a press
release. "I take responsibility for that decision."
While federal authorities took proper steps to notify state and local
authorities in New York and New Jersey, Caldera said, "it is clear that the
mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility
for any distress that the flight caused."
The mission, which was to take photos of the plane with the Statue of
Liberty as a backdrop, created a storm of criticism from New York Mayor
Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York and other New York
officials. (pick up previous)
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