Replies

So, in conclusion, we don't know who requested the mission, but we know the chain of command -- Obama, Rhambo, Messina and Caldera

I find it hard to believe that Caldera, a political appointee, kept this "unusual plan" to himself -- don't you?

Of course Obama was furious when the incident occurred.

No, he was furious that folks wouldn't have responded to his NY blitz by rolling in the streets in ecstasy and, instead, saw it as a possible terrorist attack. In a way, they were right.

also the plane landed at Atlantic city to “practice instrument landings’ the White House claimed, come on now WHO DID THEY TAKE TO ATLATIC CITY?

and they claim there was only the crew and a photographer on board AF1, now why did the camera man need to be on AF1 for the picture of the statue of liberty?

you would not be able to tell the picture WAS TAKEN FROM AF1 you would only see the statue and the picture of the statue could have been taken FROM ANY PLANE!

Some of the speculation about the “Venus 1 Heavy” call sign appears to be cleared up at this site:

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

But the red tail on the F16 is still an open issue.

FReeRepublic is light years ahead of every other news source.

The "Venus 1" call sign of AF(x) was probably from "Venus One" communications
which was apparently linked to the script of the movie,
"taking off", caught by FReepers above in second plane terrorizing New Yorkers.
Best guesses for the Flight Manifest might be below:

" GOODING, HOWARD IN LUCAS' 'RED TAILS': Actors join Ne-Yo, Method Man, Nate Parker and more in Tuskegee Airmen film.
Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and nominee Terrence Howard are the latest actors to join George Lucas' upcoming film "Red Tails," about the young African American WWII pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
The duo round out the previously cast Bryan Cranston, Ne-Yo, Method Man, 90210's Tristan Wilds, Nate Parker and Elijah Kelley, among others."

" What’s better than a historic film based on the Tuskegee Airmen….
the answer is a cast that rivals that of recent blockbusters including Dreamgirls, Stomp The Yard and the forthcoming flick ‘Fighting’.
Noted producer/talent George Lucas has put together a diverse cast for the anticipated World War II action/adventure ‘Red Tails’ that not only includes Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Ne-Yo but both Terrence Howard and Hip Hop veteran Method Man!
The trio, noted for their roles in other films including ‘Stomp The Yard’ and ‘Hustle & Flow’ will be joined by Cuba Gooding Jr., Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, Elijah Kelly, Jesse Williams, Tristan Wilds (90210, The Wire), David Oyelowo and Lee Teregesen to name a few.
In the event that the Tuskegee Airmen were overlooked in your history textbook, as they often are breezed over, the group of young men from Tuskegee, Alabama became the first African American fighter pilots in the U.S. Military. In fact, their planes featured red painted tails — thus the title “Red Tails”.
George Lucas, also known for “Star Wars,” recently conveyed excitement over the forthcoming picture:
“I’ve been wanting to do ‘Red Tails’ for 20 years, and we’ve finally got the means to showcase the skill of the Tuskegee pilots,” Lucas tells Variety. “We’re working on techniques which will give us the first true look at the aerial dogfighting of the era.”

" George Lucas takes to sky again for with'Red Tails';
Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard to star Newsday Read News Article "

" Cast Announced For Lucas' 'Red Tails'
LOS ANGELES - Actors Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard will star in Lucasfilm's upcoming World War II saga "Red Tails," a drama is based on the Tuskegee Airmen.
"

I am sure that Obama really was furious.

He was furious that a plan, he most likely had prior knowledge about, managed to NOT escape the wrath of the public and NOT escape his hold on certain segments of the media. Those incidents of his staff’s lack of control of the situation is what made him “furious”.

"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."

Meanwhile back at the White Lie House in DC:

I/WE KNOW NOTHING!

That which to focus on is the camera platform plane. The pic below is a screenshot of this video , as it flies over the Statue of Liberty. The 'Red Tail' F-16 is clearly a prop. The camera plane would need be setup for filming, especially if Red Tails has, as is likely, a 3D IMAX version. The camera plane, for example, would likely have an external camera mount. If the third plane is just a conventional F-16, then the Lucas theory is out.

Here's to combat photographer U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Dunaway who took that fine shot of Air Force One perfectly lined up over the Statue of Liberty. Check out the Google images , they're a treat, and unlike what Lucas puts out, are CGI-free.

My new desktop background .

You’ll pardon the redundancy, but I need to crosspost my comment here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2247156/posts?q=1&;page=284#284

Well, I hope I’m wrong, but this discovery is too ominous to ignore.