It's similar with civilian pilots. We are required to do 3 take offs and landings (full stop) every 90 days in type and are required to do a biannual flight review with an instructor every two years in the most complex aircraft we operate. Instrument rated pilots are required to do more.
I have a couple of friends who either were or are Air Force or Navy pilots and I'm aware that they are required to stay current and often combine missions for that purpose. My question was if this was indeed a "training mission" as the White House claimed, what precisely were they training for? Has there ever been another "training mission" that anyone can point to that called for Air Force One to fly around lower Manhattan (unannounced) with an F-16 in trail? Certainly hasn't happened since 9/11 that I'm aware of. If it was indeed a training mission, fine. I suspect this was just another Obamalamadingdong excuse to shift blame to anyone but himself, though.....
“My question was if this was indeed a “training mission” as the White House claimed, what precisely were they training for? “
Probably VFR/IFR training. As for the photo op, the Statue of Liberty is one of the standard backdrops for airplane porn.