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) rm.tg KUNA 280012 Apr 09NNNN