A statement by the American Forces Press Service is seeking to clarify some of the details around Monday's unintentional, but otherwise foreseeable mayhem as one of the Air Force's Presidential 747s toured the low altitude skis over New York City... with two F-16s in hot pursuit. What happened thereafter can only best be characterized in Mil-Speak as a 'S.N.A.F.U.'

According to the official statement issued Tuesday, the "White House expressed regret yesterday over a photo opportunity involving Air Force One that stirred up confusion and fear in New York City."

"The Presidential Airlift Group flew the VC-25 presidential aircraft, escorted by an F-16 fighter jet, over the city between 10 and 10:30 yesterday morning," said Gary T. Strasburg, chief of the Air Force's Environmental Public Affairs.

The mission was conducted "in conjunction with normally scheduled continuation training for assigned aircrew members," and coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration, Strasburg said.

This mission was coordinated for the Upper New York Bay, south of the Holland Tunnel and in the Newark Bay north of the Staten Island Expressway, he said. But New Yorkers who observed the flight found it all too reminiscent of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that took down both World Trade Center towers.

As mnoted in previous Aero-news coverage, Louis Caldera (Director of the White House Military Office), expressed regret yesterday over approving the mission. "I take responsibility for that decision," he said in a written statement.

"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," he said. "I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."

Some observers are openly wondering as to when we might hear about the inevitable future military assignments to such garden spots as Shemya, Alaska, for those involved in planning this effort. We'll keep you updated...

FMI: www.af.mil