The director of the White House Military Office submitted his resignation on Friday, less than two weeks after he authorized a flyover by an Air Force One backup of the Statue of Liberty that terrified thousands of people in New York City. Louis Caldera, who served as the secretary of the Army in the Clinton administration, apologized for the “distraction” that approving the flyover caused. On April 27, a plane that usually serves as the president’s plane was flying low over the New York City skyline, trailed closely by two fighter jets. It was a photo opportunity – authorized by several government officials, including Mr. Caldera – that infuriated Mr. Obama. Last week, President Obama ordered a deputy chief of staff, Jim Messina, to review the incident. On Friday afternoon, a seven-page review of the matter was released, along with the photograph. Mr. Messina, in his memorandum to the president, said that “structural and organizational ambiguities” in the White House Military Office led to a series of miscommunications and senior aides to the president were not advised of the flyover that had been in the planning stages since March. “The breakdown was the lack of public notification,” the memorandum states, adding that Mr. Caldera believed others had been notified about the flight. This event cost tax payers about $300,000. This event makes me wonder how much useless spending is going on that is not drawing public attention and given an excuse that was miscommunication to senior aids.
