Pentagon, AF conduct review of NYC flyover

[CommunityEditor]

WASHINGTON — A small, single-engine plane strayed into restricted air space near the U.S. Capitol on Friday, forcing anxious officials to place the White House in temporary lock down and take steps to evacuate the Capitol.

The episode was over within minutes as two F-16 fighter jets and two Coast Guard helicopters were dispatched to intercept the plane and escort it to an airport in Maryland, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Northern Command spokesman Michael Kucharek said the two helicopters established communications with the pilot.

The owner of the Indian Head Airport in Charles County, Md., said the pilot and his wife were en route from Maine to North Carolina to visit the couple’s daughter. Owner Gil Bauserman said a technology problem, rather than anything nefarious, forced the plane to enter restricted air space, prompting the swift military response.

“It was just a navigation mistake, the GPS went and the pilot got confused,” Bauserman said in an interview with The Associated Press.

“This has happened many times. The restricted zone in D.C., all it does is catch poor innocent people. They’ve never caught a terrorist, it’s just people making a mistake,” he said.

The military notified the airport that the plane would be making an unscheduled landing at 12:45 p.m. EDT, according to Bauserman. The plane landed 15 minutes later, escorted by the F-16s and the helicopters. The FAA identified the plane as a Piper Tri-Pacer.

The airport, with a runway of about 3,000 feet, is located about 12 miles south of Andrews Air Force Base.

The White House said President Barack Obama was “briefly relocated” during the incident, but declined to say where he was taken. Obama went ahead with a 1:30 p.m. EDT appearance in the Diplomatic Reception Room to discuss affordable college education.

The Senate was in session, and briefly recessed. The House was not meeting.

Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the Capitol’s alert level was briefly elevated but quickly returned to normal.

Secret Service spokesman Malcolm Wiley said the security measures were taken “out of an abundance of caution.”

Across the street from the Capitol, there was no interruption of a House hearing at which former Vice President Al Gore was testifying about climate change legislation.

Authorities have been on high alert for planes entering air space in and around major government buildings since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

Since then, there have been several incidents in which planes have strayed into the restricted air space. In June 2004, a small plane carrying then-Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher entered restricted air space as the Capitol prepared for the funeral of former President Ronald Reagan.

Police warned of an impending crash and yelled at mourners, including lawmakers and dignitaries, to run faster as they evacuated the building. Women threw off their high heels to move faster.

Two F-15 fighter planes already patrolling in anticipation of the Reagan funeral were diverted to intercept the potentially hostile aircraft. Later reports found that the scrambling of the jets was unnecessary, caused by miscommunications among various agencies.

In May 2005, an amateur pilot accidentally flew into prohibited space. There was another brief evacuation of the Capitol a month later, again when a small plane entered restricted air space.


Article: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2009/04/ap_plane_intercepted_capitol_042409/

[RingLeader]

Starting to hear and read rumors that a rogue AF pilot hijacked Air Force 2. Louis Caldera, lost his job over this gaff but was it?

Anyone out there in the Air Force world have info? Was it “REALLY” for a photo opp?

[Shrike]

Stay where you are...Men in Black will be at your location soon.

[RingLeader]

Stay where you are...Men in Black will be at your location soon.

LOL, just watched 1 and 2 over the weekend, I HOPE they show and have the gadget to help me forget! ;)

Actually, I thought air force 1 ALWAYS had to be available 24*7 to the president incase a national emergency arises and he needs it? The back-up AF 1A is not to be up in the air incase something happens to AF1 (yes, I KNOW no plane is AF 1 without the president on board it. Simplifying here)

I am sure there have been insistences where AF1 went somewhere without the president to pick “someone” up, I just can’t think of anytime’s right now.

So the question is it really just for pictures with 2 F16’s either following it, protecting it, or intercepting it?

Been boring around here, thought I would add something different and maybe fun to talk about or “make up” Men In Black stories about it…

Can only talk about PT, dumb officers, how airman feel screwed, etc etc... ;)

[eichampt1]

Hasn't anyone here seen AF1 photos with different iconic landmarks in the background? Again, I'm not supporting Obama, but we have been doing this since there's been an AF1. Look online and you'll see dozens of them. The whole thing has been blown out of proportion. If this photo op was wrong, then they were all wrong.

[RingLeader]

Hasn't anyone here seen AF1 photos with different iconic landmarks in the background? Again, I'm not supporting Obama, but we have been doing this since there's been an AF1. Look online and you'll see dozens of them. The whole thing has been blown out of proportion. If this photo op was wrong, then they were all wrong.

Nope you are wrong on a few of points:

1. Those pictures were taken prior to 9-11!!!
2. Today you can use a s/w package(for under $100) to do the pictures and they will be completed within minutes.
3. Is the new administration ignorant or and they just arrogant? You don’t tell the city what you plan on doing?

I watched some footage last night someone sent me, I am not a fighter joke but it was pointed out to me that the F16’s are in a position of corralling and attack on the plan, not a position to take pictures or protecting. One plane fly’s on the side of AF1 as if it is protecting the city…

Just more thoughts….

PS I will look through all of the threads Crusty!!! ;)

[Variable Wind]

I just think that not a whole lot of thought went into this endeavor...I just find that consistant with most of what is going on in DC these days. Just look at the stimulus, noone had a chance to read the entire thing but they passed it anyway...THEN it turns out all these AIG bonuses are in there but noone sold them, not even the senator who put them in there. Again, not a whole lot of thought put into things.

http://images.despair.com/products/demotivators/consistency.jpg

[TJMAC77SP]

Nope you are wrong on a few of points:

1. Those pictures were taken prior to 9-11!!!
2. Today you can use a s/w package(for under $100) to do the pictures and they will be completed within minutes.
3. Is the new administration ignorant or and they just arrogant? You don’t tell the city what you plan on doing?

I watched some footage last night someone sent me, I am not a fighter joke but it was pointed out to me that the F16’s are in a position of corralling and attack on the plan, not a position to take pictures or protecting. One plane fly’s on the side of AF1 as if it is protecting the city…

Just more thoughts….

PS I will look through all of the threads Crusty!!! ;)

I have to disagree on a few points. While I realize that 9-11 has sensitized everyone (particularly those in NYC) to airplanes flying around it doesn’t excuse hysteria. At some point we have to stop blaming 911 for all that we percieve to be somehow increasing fear. I believe this itself increases fear.

First of all, what I agree with. The overall decision showed a lack of big picture judgment but…………………….

DoD has policies on the use of software to alter imagery. It may simply be against that policy to alter pics like that.

This type of pic has a long history. There are hundreds of pics of various Air Force One’s flying over significant edifices in the US.

The administration DID notify the NYPD, FAA, and Mayor’s Office (notice Bloomburg was quick to want to ‘put this incident in the past’ in his later news conferences and statements?)

What complicated notification was the application of long-standing (and for the most part sensible) security measures in place as to the itinerary of Air Force One (or the VC-25’s in this case). They limited the information those agencies could release to the public. The notification SHOULD have allowed release of the information as the plane was arriving in NYC airspace. The city has an automated notification system (text based I believe) which could have allayed fears.

The bottom line is that there is a lot of blame to go around and the White House is the only one I have heard step up and admit there part.

[Combat correspondent]

Nope you are wrong on a few of points:

1. Those pictures were taken prior to 9-11!!!
2. Today you can use a s/w package(for under $100) to do the pictures and they will be completed within minutes.
3. Is the new administration ignorant or and they just arrogant? You don’t tell the city what you plan on doing?

I watched some footage last night someone sent me, I am not a fighter joke but it was pointed out to me that the F16’s are in a position of corralling and attack on the plan, not a position to take pictures or protecting. One plane fly’s on the side of AF1 as if it is protecting the city…

Just more thoughts….

PS I will look through all of the threads Crusty!!! ;)

DoD Directive 5040.5 forbids manipulating imagery - only enhancements and corrections are permitted. Furthermore, AFI 33-117 and 35-101 both forbid it, as well.

[VFFSSGT]

To those who ridicule New Yorkers for panicking, shouldn't the government be ridiculed for such panicking too? Seems like another awful waste of money for nothing more than a GPS malfunction.

I hate it for New Yorkers, but if they are living in this fear, then haven't the terrorist succeeded or at least partially in that they have people living in fear. Is this not one of their goals? Then our great media broadcasted the fear to the world adding to the propaganda that very well might be used for terrorist benefit.

[VFFSSGT]

DoD Directive 5040.5 forbids manipulating imagery - only enhancements and corrections are permitted. Furthermore, AFI 33-117 and 35-101 both forbid it, as well.
This was an executive branch photo file update; therefore, Photoshop could have been utilized. I do not believe DOD Directives or AFI's apply to the executive branch. I do believe they are above those two sets of regulations in the "food chain." The executive branch declassifies top secret documents when it is publicly convenient, so you can't say this can't be done.

The fact the White House initially refused to release these supposed photos and then would not release them immediately also raises more questions… Especially when an F-16 was trailing the plane and it was a “classified” mission. Why if it were just a photo op? I really do not know what to think of it but the photo that has been release is a poor photo to be a file photo of the plane being it is shot through the F-16 canopy and part of the cockpit is in the picture.

Well, so I got to looking and here is the picture and report... Aweful lot of money, planning, and resources wasted for nothing more than a photo op with a "training mission" tagged along with it.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/after-air-force-one-flyover-military-office-director-resigns/?hp

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/20090508_AF1_Report.pdf

The study or investigation though seems to do nothing but recommend nothing but another study regarding organizational structure and essentially the chain of command and approval authority to fly Presidential Support Aircraft. Image that, a bureaucratic study recommending another bureaucratic study... :rolleyes:

[TJMAC77SP]

This was an executive branch photo file update; therefore, Photoshop could have been utilized. I do not believe DOD Directives or AFI's apply to the executive branch. I do believe they are above those two sets of regulations in the "food chain." The executive branch declassifies top secret documents when it is publicly convenient, so you can't say this can't be done.

The fact the White House initially refused to release these supposed photos and then would not release them immediately also raises more questions… Especially when an F-16 was trailing the plane and it was a “classified” mission. Why if it were just a photo op? I really do not know what to think of it but the photo that has been release is a poor photo to be a file photo of the plane being it is shot through the F-16 canopy and part of the cockpit is in the picture.

Come on now; let's keep the conspiracy stuff to a minimum. The photo op was a DoD mission and therefore subject to DoD and AF regulatory. And it is the President and not the Executive Branch (of which DoD is part of) who can declassify. After the debacle, I am sure the White House called DoD and issued the order that any release of photos from the mission would be approved by them. Normally AF Public Affairs would accomplish the public release. I am sure the initial reluctance to release the photos was simply someone hoping all would die down and not wanting to stir the shitpot again.

[VFFSSGT]

The White House statement was that this was a White House organized mission and this is even apparent in the report released... I do not see where this is a DOD photo op or what the purpose behind the "photo op" is.

It is not that I believe there is a conspiracy but simply more to the story... If it was nothing more than a photo op; the Air Force did a pathetic job in taking a $330,000 picture. It is a horrible picture and a 5 year old with Photoshop could have produced a higher quality picture.

[TJMAC77SP]

The White House statement was that this was a White House organized mission and this is even apparent in the report released... I do not see where this is a DOD photo op or what the purpose behind the "photo op" is.

It is not that I believe there is a conspiracy but simply more to the story...

The White House took responsibility because the military liaison’s office ok’s the use of the VC-25s. This is to ensure availability for the President. In that sense I will concede that it was a White House approved mission.

The operational, day-to-day mission planning though rests with the 89th Wing. They have flown identical missions over many places in the US (as I said earlier). This one was different of course but nothing sinister (my opinion of course).

[VFFSSGT]

Go back up to my post which has the link and check out the photo then check out these official photos of Air Force One, which are much better quality...

http://www.af.mil/photos/index.asp?galleryID=55

If that photo they released of "AF One" is the best shot they got (if not photo-shopped itself) then there was more to this story than just a photo op, because the picture flat out sucks on quality.

[TJMAC77SP]

Go back up to my post which has the link and check out the photo then check out these official photos of Air Force One, which are much better quality...

http://www.af.mil/photos/index.asp?galleryID=55

If that photo they released of "AF One" is the best shot they got (if not photo-shopped itself) then there was more to this story than just a photo op, because the picture flat out sucks on quality.

I haven't seen the photo from NY (the photo taken from the chase plane).

[VFFSSGT]

It is here... http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/after-air-force-one-flyover-military-office-director-resigns/?hp

[ringjamesa]

Apparently when the press asked for the pictures, they were told the pictures would not be released because they were "classified." Really? A classified photo op?

[CommunityEditor]

The Pentagon and Air Force are reviewing whether their officials may be partly to blame for a $328,835 photo-op of Air Force One soaring above New York City that already has forced the White House military director to step down.

Former Army Secretary Louis Caldera, the White House aide who authorized the flyover, resigned under fire Friday as the Obama administration tried to move past the embarrassing incident that sent panicked workers rushing into the streets amid flashbacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The White House released the findings of an internal review that portrayed Caldera as out of the loop in a cycle of missed messages and questionable judgments as plans for the photo shoot proceeded.

But the investigation is hardly the end of the matter.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered a review at the Pentagon; the Air Force is conducting its own review, as well.

In a May 5 letter to Sen. John McCain, the former Republican presidential nominee, Gates apologized for the incident, saying “we deeply regret the anxiety and alarm that resulted from this mission.”

McCain posted the letter on his Web site Friday.

“I am concerned that this highly public and visible mission did not include an appropriate review and approval by senior Air Force and [Defense Department] officials,” Gates wrote.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama has 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.

That review, to be conducted by deputy chief of staff Jim Messina and Gates, also will offer recommendations to Obama designed to ensure that such an incident will not happen again, Gibbs said.

According to the findings released Friday, Caldera said he didn’t know the plane, known as Air Force One when the president is on board, would fly at 1,000 feet during the April 27 photo promotion. He also failed to read an e-mail message describing the operation and seemed unaware of the potential for public fear, the findings said.

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 2001 terrorist attacks in which jets brought down the two towers of the World Trade Center.

The Federal Aviation Administration 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 for the Air Force in Washington to release if anyone called to ask about the flight.

In his resignation letter, released by the White House, Caldera said the controversy had “made it impossible for me to effectively lead the White House Military Office,” which is responsible for presidential aircraft.

Caldera’s office approved the photo-op, which cost $35,000 in fuel alone for the plane and two jet fighter escorts. The Air Force estimated the photo shoot cost taxpayers $328,835. The purpose of the flight was to update the official photo of the plane, known as Air Force One when the president is aboard.


Article: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2009/05/airforce_newyork_flyover_051209/

[eichampt1]

Nope you are wrong on a few of points:

1. Those pictures were taken prior to 9-11!!!
2. Today you can use a s/w package(for under $100) to do the pictures and they will be completed within minutes.
3. Is the new administration ignorant or and they just arrogant? You don’t tell the city what you plan on doing?

I watched some footage last night someone sent me, I am not a fighter joke but it was pointed out to me that the F16’s are in a position of corralling and attack on the plan, not a position to take pictures or protecting. One plane fly’s on the side of AF1 as if it is protecting the city…

Just more thoughts….

PS I will look through all of the threads Crusty!!! ;)

NYC WAS alerted by the AF prior to the op, but for security reasons, they insisted the public be kept out of the loop. With 9/11 memories still relatively fresh, it is true that the reaction of the inhabitants wasn't considered in the planning. I have personally seen 5 post 9-11 AF photo op pics...I don't know where you get your information. Regarding the video you watched, does it show the entire mission? Keep in mind it was also a training mission. Unless you have specific knowledge of what that mission entailed, you're just guessing. 9/11 conspiracy nuts do a lot of guessing too.

[TJMAC77SP]

It is here... http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/after-air-force-one-flyover-military-office-director-resigns/?hp

I admit that is not the best quality photo.

[Measure Man]

Stay where you are...Men in Black will be at your location soon.

Go on, laughing boy...

Can you prove that it wasn't former President Bush on that plane, with crew members still loyal to him...this is about the time they were due to fly to Paraguay, isn't it?

[Variable Wind]

Go on, laughing boy...

Can you prove that it wasn't former President Bush on that plane, with crew members still loyal to him...this is about the time they were due to fly to Paraguay, isn't it?

Good theory...those neocons are probably leaving to a non-extradition country to avoid be prosecuted for the past 8 years.

The photo-op fiasco was a problem that Obama inherited.

[TJMAC77SP]

Great VW you have now fed Miracle Gro to the conspiracy..................

[eichampt1]

I think Elvis might have been on that plane too.

[eichampt1]

Good theory...those neocons are probably leaving to a non-extradition country to avoid be prosecuted for the past 8 years.

The photo-op fiasco was a problem that Obama inherited.

Exactly how did Obama inherit this fiasco? It happened under his rule. That's too easy to blame every problem on the previous guy every time something goes wrong.

[kojack]

To those who ridicule New Yorkers for panicking, shouldn't the government be ridiculed for such panicking too? Seems like another awful waste of money for nothing more than a GPS malfunction.

I hate it for New Yorkers, but if they are living in this fear, then haven't the terrorist succeeded or at least partially in that they have people living in fear. Is this not one of their goals? Then our great media broadcasted the fear to the world adding to the propaganda that very well might be used for terrorist benefit.

When you lived through what they did and then you see a large airliner being chased by a fighter coming into the city, how do you think you would react? Particularly with terrorist-friendly obama in the WH.

[Pueblo]

Hasn't anyone here seen AF1 photos with different iconic landmarks in the background? Again, I'm not supporting Obama, but we have been doing this since there's been an AF1. Look online and you'll see dozens of them. The whole thing has been blown out of proportion. If this photo op was wrong, then they were all wrong.

Yeah, they usually are a waste of money to make a shitty poster we'll be forced to hang in our offices or see involuntarily on a screensaver. They stink.

I just think that not a whole lot of thought went into this endeavor...I just find that consistant with most of what is going on in DC these days.

Bingo

I have to disagree on a few points. While I realize that 9-11 has sensitized everyone (particularly those in NYC) to airplanes flying around it doesn’t excuse hysteria. At some point we have to stop blaming 911 for all that we percieve to be somehow increasing fear. I believe this itself increases fear.

How dare you? This isn't manipulation by the media or outside forces convincing them to live in fear. These are the lucky ones who managed to escape the immolation of lower Manhattan 8 years ago. They were scared because they witnessed 9/11 and somehow survived it.

I hate it for New Yorkers, but if they are living in this fear, then haven't the terrorist succeeded or at least partially in that they have people living in fear. Is this not one of their goals? Then our great media broadcasted the fear to the world adding to the propaganda that very well might be used for terrorist benefit.

The terrorists do what they do to kill Americans. The only ulterior motives were the financial impact on Wall St and the promises of an afterlife. I don't think they take pleasure in the nuances of our society or what color codes we use. I just don't give them that much credit as far-thinking groups with realistic goals.

[Variable Wind]

Exactly how did Obama inherit this fiasco? It happened under his rule. That's too easy to blame every problem on the previous guy every time something goes wrong.

It was a joke man.

[RingLeader]

NYC WAS alerted by the AF prior to the op, but for security reasons, they insisted the public be kept out of the loop. With 9/11 memories still relatively fresh, it is true that the reaction of the inhabitants wasn't considered in the planning. I have personally seen 5 post 9-11 AF photo op pics...I don't know where you get your information. Regarding the video you watched, does it show the entire mission? Keep in mind it was also a training mission. Unless you have specific knowledge of what that mission entailed, you're just guessing. 9/11 conspiracy nuts do a lot of guessing too.

PLEASE give me the web location where it states:


"NYC WAS alerted by the AF prior to the op, but for security reasons, they insisted the public be kept out of the loop. "

I will read it and decide for myself if the article is relative..

[Merlin69]

PLEASE give me the web location where it states:


"NYC WAS alerted by the AF prior to the op, but for security reasons, they insisted the public be kept out of the loop. "

I will read it and decide for myself if the article is relative..

I had read that information several times and heard it on the news that the AF notified city officials about the flyover, but the city shouldn’t notify the public. What I just did was Google "air force photo op" on Google news and came Rush Limbaugh’s site that mentioned the flyover and low and behold, he had a link to a NY Times article regarding the flyby (I thought the NY Times was the devil in Rush's eyes?!?!) Anyway, the NY Times article in paragraph nine talks about the city notification.

Read on...

Aide Quits Over Flight That Alarmed New York (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/nyregion/09plane.html?_r=1) New York Times

The Revealing Air Force One Photo (http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_051109/content/01125110.guest.html) Rush's site

World Trade Center Set for Emergency Bomb Blast Drill Sunday (http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=7599825&page=1) ABC News exercise announcement

[Variable Wind]

I had read that information several times and heard it on the news that the AF notified city officials about the flyover, but the city shouldn’t notify the public. What I just did was Google "air force photo op" on Google news and came Rush Limbaugh’s site that mentioned the flyover and low and behold, he had a link to a NY Times article regarding the flyby (I thought the NY Times was the devil in Rush's eyes?!?!) Anyway, the NY Times article in paragraph nine talks about the city notification.

Read on...

Aide Quits Over Flight That Alarmed New York (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/nyregion/09plane.html?_r=1) New York Times

The Revealing Air Force One Photo (http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_051109/content/01125110.guest.html) Rush's site

World Trade Center Set for Emergency Bomb Blast Drill Sunday (http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=7599825&page=1) ABC News exercise announcement

No, the devil would never be as close to bankruptcy as the NYT is...more like a minion of the leftists.

[ringjamesa]

Two things;
The AF didn't notify anyone of anything. The White House did (no you looney tunes not the house itself, the people who work there)
They didn't tell the NYC officials not to notify anyone, they made that decision all on their own.

[Variable Wind]

Two things;
The AF didn't notify anyone of anything. The White House did (no you looney tunes not the house itself, the people who work there)
They didn't tell the NYC officials not to notify anyone, they made that decision all on their own.

Not that there was anyway to make sure that everyone knew about it. They could flood the local airwaves with PSAs about it for an entire month and there would still be a ton of people freaking out about it.

[ringjamesa]

Oh you mean kinda like how the government lost a ton of $ because Obama decided that people didn't have enough time to get there digital converter box so the gov couldn't collect the money they would have made leasing those wavelengths to telecommunications companies? They flooded the airwaves with that stupid crap for months and now they are doing it AGAIN because people are too stupid to listen the first time....

[Variable Wind]

Oh you mean kinda like how the government lost a ton of $ because Obama decided that people didn't have enough time to get there digital converter box so the gov couldn't collect the money they would have made leasing those wavelengths to telecommunications companies? They flooded the airwaves with that stupid crap for months and now they are doing it AGAIN because people are too stupid to listen the first time....

Yeah, but lets not forget that the whole digital conversion thing was stupid to begin with.

[ringjamesa]

Yeah, but lets not forget that the whole digital conversion thing was stupid to begin with.

The fact of the matter is that it is going to happen and there were already contracts in place for other mediums to pay for the use of the wavelengths that were to be freed up by the conversion. Obama decided that in this economy, it was better to ensure that people that were living under a rock for the past year or who were to lazy to get cable or get a box could watch their local TV stations without inconvenience for a few more months.

[Variable Wind]

The fact of the matter is that it is going to happen and there were already contracts in place for other mediums to pay for the use of the wavelengths that were to be freed up by the conversion. Obama decided that in this economy, it was better to ensure that people that were living under a rock for the past year or who were to lazy to get cable or get a box could watch their local TV stations without inconvenience for a few more months.

People who cant afford a 30 dollar box are entitled to watch their local stations. Duh! ;)

[RingLeader]

I had read that information several times and heard it on the news that the AF notified city officials about the flyover, but the city shouldn’t notify the public. What I just did was Google "air force photo op" on Google news and came Rush Limbaugh’s site that mentioned the flyover and low and behold, he had a link to a NY Times article regarding the flyby (I thought the NY Times was the devil in Rush's eyes?!?!) Anyway, the NY Times article in paragraph nine talks about the city notification.

Read on...

Aide Quits Over Flight That Alarmed New York (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/nyregion/09plane.html?_r=1) New York Times

The Revealing Air Force One Photo (http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_051109/content/01125110.guest.html) Rush's site

World Trade Center Set for Emergency Bomb Blast Drill Sunday (http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=7599825&page=1) ABC News exercise announcement


R u kidding me? This is what you refer to:

The White House report states that while some officials decided on “public outreach efforts” to notify people in advance about the flight, the commander of the Presidential Airlift Group, Col. Scott Turner of the Air Force, decided that the memo warning New York-area officials of the flyover would be marked “official use only,” and that it would tell government agencies not to disclose the event. Information would be provided, the report said, “only if asked.”

Through bureaucratic fumbling, the discrepancy over whether the public should or should not be alerted went unnoticed until after the flight.

Where does it mention that NYC was notified about the flyover? It states "would be" IT WAS NEVER SENT!

further more read:
http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/FlyoverReview.pdf

it takes about how the "general public" would be notified on or before April 26, again the "general public" was NOT notified. It goes on to state that the flyover was for FOUO. So, I maybe wrong but as I stated before there is nothing in BLACK and WHITE that states NYC/NJ or ANYONE else was told, "hey we are going to do a retarded thing on April 27, please let the public know".

In the end this does not mean anything, because it is yesterday’s news… I wanted to hear what people think or someone who may know what happened.

In the end, I can’t wait for the History Channel does a hour show on it! ;)