Wonderful: Feds Knew NYC Flyover Would Cause Panic, Proceeded Anyway

One of those rare times I'm in agreement with Chuckie Schumer.

Federal officials knew that sending two fighter jets and Air Force One to buzz ground zero and Lady Liberty might set off nightmarish fears of a 9/11 replay, but they still ordered the photo-op kept secret from the public.

In a memo obtained by CBS 2 HD the Federal Aviation Administration's James Johnston said the agency was aware of "the possibility of public concern regarding DOD (Department of Defense) aircraft flying at low altitudes" in an around New York City. But they demanded total secrecy from the NYPD, the Secret Service, the FBI and even the mayor's office and threatened federal sanctions if the secret got out.

"To say that it should not be made public knowing that it might scare people it's just confounding," Sen. Charles Schumer said. "It's what gives Washington and government a bad name. It's sheer stupidity."

The flyover -- apparently ordered by the White House Office of Military Affairs so it would have souvenir photos of Air Force One with the Statue of Liberty in the background -- had President Obama seeing red. He ordered a probe and apologized.

The idea Obama had no knowledge of what was happening with his own plane is nonsense. It's just not plausible.

He deliberately allowed this to happen. Probably figures those chumps in New York love him so much already that he can just take a dump on them.

Now, where is the manifest for who was on that plane, Mr. Transparency?

Update: Thanks to Ace, Hot Air for the links.

The tab for this fiasco? How about $328,835?

I just got this info sent to me about the photo op / flyover yesterday with Air Force One ….the one that sent people running in NYC…yes, scared them to death! They now say it was a training mission…hhm….they needed training? and the cost? see (by the way, how much flu vaccination can you get for $325,000+? ) (by the way, I am 100 per cent in favor of the President having well trained pilots flying AF 1 — I am just not convinced on this one…I would like to know more about it.)

Instapundit links. Thanks!

Update: Very interesting, a tape of New York approach controllers and pilots of the presidential VC-25 (Boeing 747-200). (Link fixed)