The Air Farce One Report -- A Classic Case Of Misdirection

The Obama File ^ | 5/9/09 | Beckwith

[Beckwith]

A White House military aide who authorized an Air Force flyover of New York that caused panic among some people in the city resigned on Friday.

Louis Caldera said in a resignation letter to Obama that the controversy over the mission -- a photo shoot of a jumbo jet used as Air Force One with the Statue of Liberty in the background -- made it impossible for him to lead the White House Military Office (WHMO).

White House officials said the flight was designed to update the official photo of the plane, known as Air Force One when the president is aboard.

The flight over lower Manhattan for a photo shoot scared some New Yorkers who remembered the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 involving hijacked airliners that destroyed the World Trade Center.  Many people panicked and evacuated office buildings when the planes flew over -- as low as 150 feet.

Caldera had approved the mission.  His resignation came on the same day Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a letter to Senator John McCain that the photo shoot cost U.S. taxpayers as much as $357,000.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs (Gibbels) said Obama had accepted the resignation.  Obama had been described as furious when the incident occurred on April 27 and demanded a review.

Isn't that tidy -- Louis Caldera is responsible -- but responsible for what?

Louis Caldera is responsible for "approving" the flight.  No need to look any further.  Caldera is responsible -- off with his head -- move on!

However, none of this answers the key question -- WHO REQUESTED THE FLIGHT?

Start with Caldera's boss.  Who does Caldera work for -- and who does that guy work for -- and who does that guy work for.  Somewhere up that food chain is the genius whose brainstorm is responsible for this clusterflop -- that person is the "Requestor" or "Initiator" -- that's the guy that is really responsible.

When the flight was a "Go," the WHMO Deputy Director sent an email to the Director, saying the flight would receive some "local press," but the White House shouldn't catch any questions about it.  The email also suggested notifying Jim Messina and Robert Gibbels.

The flight then flew into history.

The White House (read Rhambo) investigated the flight and The White House Counsel's Office (Gregory Craig) produced a report, "Internal Review Concerning April 27, 2009 Air Force One Flight."  (It's interesting this report uses the "Air Force One" designation, as the aircraft is only referred to in this way when POTUS is on board.  Is Craig suggesting that Obama was on the flight?)

The report (I could access only the first 3 pages of the .pdf file for some reason) says that the Deputy Director of the WHMO "suggested that when the plan was finalized, the Director MAY want to inform White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Jim Messina (not the singer). The Deputy Director believed that Mr. Messina would want notice because the plan involved the use of the Presidential aircraft and because it was unusual."

I'll say!

Note, the focus of this report is on the WHMO, the initial flight planning and the subsequent processes and reviews that resulted in the flight.  Nowhere in the "official" report is there any mention of the person or persons who initiated the request for the flight mission that was ultimately "approved" by Caldera.

And, it doesn't answer the secondary question -- WHO WAS ON BOARD?  Any honest investigation would provide the flight and passenger manifests.  Neither of these are addressed in the report (whitewash).

A Reuters news article said the report of the review, mentioned above, said ultimately Caldera did not notify relevant White House officials about the flyover in advance.

"When asked why he failed to do so, he did not offer a coherent explanation.  He stated that it was not a conscious decision -- he did not intend not to notify them," it said. "Instead, he suggested that it may have been an oversight."

An oversight?  I just find that statement to be unbelievable.

Caldera had previously apologized for the April 27 incident, saying, "Last week, I approved a mission over New York.  I take responsibility for that decision (approving the flight).  While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption.  I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."

And like a good little Obot, Caldera fell on his sword.

The White House Military Office (2,300 managers and staff) knew about the flight, and so did the Department of Defense, and Andrews Air Force Base, and the Air Mobility Command, and the Presidential Airlift Group, and the 89th Airlift Wing, and the Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic control representatives in the New York are, and "federal, state and local authorities."

It seems everyone in the government knew about the "secret flight" except Obama and his senior White House advisers.  Sgt. Schultz ("I know nothing") would be proud.

Of course Obama was furious when the incident occurred.  It hit the fan the day before his 100th day's celebration and victory speech, dramatically affecting the news.

But he knew nothing about it -- nor did any other "responsible" person in and around the White House -- just Caldera, even though the report contains several mentions of Jim Messina, whose boss is Rhambo -- and Rhambo's boss is Obama -- that's two degrees of separation.

[Travis McGee]

I'm SURE this is all just a coincidence.

"Red Tails" cast announced

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Lucasfilm has just announced the cast of "Red Tails." The World War II saga will star Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard.

The drama is based on the Tuskegee Airmen, a combat unit made up of black pilots dealing with racial prejudice along with the pressures of war.

"Star Wars" creator George Lucas is executive producer and has a story credit on the film, which is written by John Ridley. It's directed by Anthony Hemingway, whose credits include episodes of "The Wire" and "Battlestar Galactica."

Shooting gets under way soon in Europe.

[cll]

Maybe 150 feet above the highest obstacle. Still very dangerous and irresponsible.

[Travis McGee]

The Alabama ANG/ “Red Tails” film connection is going to be the main story next week. Once again, Freepers get there first. Well, you guys found the esoteric blogs and brought it here first.

This connection needs its own thread. This is “Rathergate” esque. Air Force One was used as a movie prop. Was George Lucas on board?

Coincidences like this just don’t happen.

[knarf]

Mr.K in #2 asked who was on board.

Perhaps 'donations' were accepted from backers to take a ride, a la Lincoln Bedroom rentals during the x42 years,

[shoptalk]

An old name and a famous paint scheme is returning to the skies above central Alabama. The commanding general of the Air Force is reactivating the 100th FS as part of Montgomery's 187th ANG Wing.

The 100th Fighter Squadron was the unit the Tuskegee Airmen flew with in World War II. And now, more than 60 years later, the Total Force Integration (TFI) is bringing them back.

It stands out.... like the proudest rooster in the yard - a vivid red tail on a modern Air Force F-16. And soon, central Alabamians will see the red tail a lot more often.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Red Tails A group of young WWII pilots overcome racism to form the Tuskegee Airmen, a distinguished group of fliers who broke the aviation color barrier to become the first African-American fighter pilots in U.S. military history. Based on a story by George Lucas, who will finance the film.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

187th AANR Red Tails F-16's used =>

Tuskeegee Airmen flick due out this year =>

Hollywood donors aboard Air Force One?

Just askin'.

[cll]

Where’s that graphic from? Off the top of my head, that Red Tail also has the Operation Overlord markings and the Tuskeege guys did not participate in that invasion, they went in later in the war.

[Beckwith]

If one Googles “Air Force One” “150 feet” — Google returns 21,800 references:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=%22Air+Force+One%22+150+feet&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images

Other estimates are “less than 500 feet.”

Whatever it was, for a 747, it was flying too low.

[Raycpa]

link to place discussing call signs

http://taylor.typepad.com/blog/2009/04/a-380000-pound-4engine-airliner-will-be-zipping-around-the-statue-of-liberty-at-1500-feet-but-you-ha.html

[Travis McGee]

This is a “coincidence” like the one that had W’s bogus TANG memos written on MS Word’s default settings 30 years before Word was available.

You guys have found the smoking gun.

Where was George Lucas on the day of the NYC flyover?

[Beckwith]

There’s more background information here:

http://www.theobamafile.com/ObamaAirFarceOne.htm

[GoDuke]

“...based on a story by George Lucas, who will finance the film.”
The airmen will be played by Ewoks.

[Bryanw92]

In the George Lucas version, they probably will.

[Raycpa]

It would be simpler for film editors to add a red tail than to paint one red.

[Malsua]

WHO REQUESTED THE FLIGHT?

The same office that requested it when Bush 43 was elected. Also the same office that requested it when Clinton was elected. Same office that requested it when Bush 41 was elected. Indeed, exactly the same office that requested it all the way back to 1961 for every new president.

There are a number of "to do" checklist items that are done when a president enters the white house. Updating the photos is one of them.

I think you need to focus more on the behavior surrounding it. Why the secrecy and the strong arm threats?

[Travis McGee]

I think the NYC flyby sequence would have been used at the end of the “Red Tails” movie to show how the legacy of the Tuskeegee Airmen lives on.

You can see the script in the background.

“In 1944 Negro aviators had to fight just to serve their nation, and prove themselves worthy. In 2008, Americans elected their first African-American president.”

Air Force One and the ANG “Red Tail” fighter together. George Lucas filming “Red Tails.” Just a coincidence?

This is as believable as Dan Rather’s TANG memos.

[Travis McGee]

Read the entire thread.

It’s the Tuskegee Airmen “Red Tails” movie currently being filmed that is the Rosetta Stone to interpreting the mystery.

[Never on my watch]

“Was this a filming sequence for Obama campaign donor George Lucas due to the unusual presence of a National Guard Tuskegee Airman “Red Tail” F-16 escorting Air Force One over New York City?”

I vote yes for one reason: The Red Tail was never in a position to photograph AF1 with New York in the background. It was flying in close formation with AF1. IMHO it was the subject of the photo.

I can see Obama injecting himself into the Tuskegee Airman movie. He would disgrace their heroic struggle for the sake of his ego.

[Toespi]

I think you need to focus more on the behavior surrounding it. Why the secrecy and the strong arm threats?

That is the point, if this were merely an updating photo op, they could have made it public and somewhat of an opportunity and even celebration for America to enjoy the sight of AF1 flying over the city. Another thing, it seems to me that there was no reason to fly so low. Don’t pilots have protocol on safety and how low a plane this size can fly over populated areas? If so, someone had to give the pilot special clearance to make these maneuvers.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

WHO WAS ON THE PLANE?

The Popo, Snoop doggy dog, Reverend Wright, Calypso Louis, Enema, Oprah, Spike Lee, Marion Barry, Ray Nagin, Sheila Jackson Lee, Cynthia McKinney, Maxine Waters, the Black Panthers and the entire Nation of Islam.

[shoptalk]

I think it's a fair question to ask why an F-16 FROM ALABAMA was used as a chase plane/camera platform/movie prop.