White House Aide Loses Job Over Flyover
May 8, 2009 5 Comments ›› Erik Wong
WASHINGTON (AP) – A White House aide has lost his job for his role in Air Force One’s photo-op flyover over New York City.
A White House official says Obama has accepted the resignation of military office director Louis Caldera. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Caldera’s departure ahead of a full report on the flight.
Caldera, a former Army secretary, took responsibility for the Air Force flyover that sparked panic in New York on April 27.
The White House conducted a review of the flight near the Statue of Liberty. The full review was set to be released Friday afternoon.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP)—Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the Air Force flyover that sparked panic in New York City was not adequately reviewed and approved by senior service and department officials.
In a letter this week to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Gates also said the White House photo-op flight involving Air Force One and an F-16 fighter plane cost $328,835.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the White House will release its review of the plane on Friday afternoon.
He said it will address the process that allowed an aide to stage the April 27 photo-op.
