FAA memo: Feds knew Scare Force One would cause panic
posted at 7:45 pm on April 28, 2009 by Allahpundit
Via JWF, I’m almost comforted by the revelation. The possibility that they’d be so stupid as not to know that buzzing lower Manhattan with a jumbo jet might freak people out is too terrible to contemplate.
Now all we have to do is figure out why a “photo op” would be such a terrifically big secret that not even the mayor of New York was in on it. Does that make any sense at all? “We need a new stock shot of Air Force One near the Statue of Liberty. Don’t tell a soul.”
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…
The NYPD was so upset about the demand for secrecy that Police Commissioner Ray Kelly vowed never to follow such a directive again and he accused the feds of inciting fears of a 9/11 replay.
The cost of this debacle, by the way? Just shy of $329,000. Think of it as a stimulus: The amount of booze, smokes, and anti-anxiety meds alone that New Yorkers must have consumed in the aftermath of this mass panic attack was probably worth $10-20 mil to the city.
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+? )
Follow the link for a breakdown of the cost. Question for Air Force vets: Is “training mission” military jargon for “photo op”? What were they “training” to do here precisely, besides killing people on the ground from fright?
Blowback
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I think this was a dare from the Saudi King. Keep your eye on the oil prices.
Cybergeezer on April 28, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Between Obama declaring hes furious at himself for flying over NYC to Specter leaving the GOP this has been one of the weirdest and worst news days ever. I hate to be a downer, but how in the world are we supposed to stay positive? How are we going to win back anything in 2010? Maybe I am just naive, but I just dont see it. I am willing to bet Obama could swallow a baby on live TV and get away with it… Somehow blaming W or Rush.
Gatsu on April 28, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Why? Were they worried about shoulder launched weapons?
Gimme a break.
BacaDog on April 28, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Look for a 60 minute giggle interview special coming up-
relax, just a little gallows humor.
dragondrop on April 28, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Instead of taking precautionary meassures regarding a potential pandemic, Janet Napolitano has more important concerns:
U.S. officials want “swine” out of flu name
Don’t police the borders or the airports, PC police the name.
Loxodonta on April 28, 2009 at 8:21 PM
It worked!
What flu?
NOT.
Maquis on April 28, 2009 at 8:22 PM
My BS meter is going on TILT. This was bad to begin with, but “a flipping training flight???” Training for WHAT?
I know a retired pilot who got paid for years to fly planes from place to place..collected a nifty FAA salary and a nice pension (he brags about it, ticks me off) to fly absolute boondoggles to “keep current.”
While I have a large problem with this being a waste of talent and money, “enquiring minds want to know” why in Sam Hell any pilot would need to buzz NYC in the replica of AFOne.
I call big time BS!
marybel on April 28, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Makes one wonder how a Saudi hospital would treat someone exhibiting the symptoms of swine flu.
“Infidels Disease…that is what Ma’moud has…off with his head!”
coldwarrior on April 28, 2009 at 8:23 PM
BS if they want to rename it, give it the name that Israel has called it: Mexican Flu
Of course they won’t use that. That would be insensitive. Not to mention bad PR for the upcoming amnesty debacle.
carbon_footprint on April 28, 2009 at 8:23 PM
How hard is it going to be to get the passenger manifest? Does someone need to invoke FOIA? This was on the public’s dime, so I’m damn sure I have a right to know who was on that plane.
BardMan on April 28, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Ready for some conspiracy stuff??
This was a 10am flyover. The first tower fell at 9:59am.
Both days, 9/11 and 4/27 were bright and sunny. 4/27 happened in the 4th month of the year, mid month, while 9/11 happened with just 4 months left, mid month. In other words,,, similar times of the year weather wise. The beginnings of summer (April) and the end of summer (Sept). both happened early in the week. 9/11 was on a Tuesday. Yesterday was a Monday.
9/11 happened with just 112 says left in the year. 4/27 happened 117 days into the year.
So,,, all I am saying,,, someone wanted a photo op on a day and time when the conditions were similar as they were on the morning of 9/11!
Think whatever you want. Do we know for sure no one was on that plane???? Any secret passengers??
Nothing surprises me! Nothing at all!
JellyToast on April 28, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Scare Force One!
Loxodonta on April 28, 2009 at 8:25 PM
How about “People who are far too ‘close’ to their animals” Flu?
Y-not on April 28, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Agreed…part of the problem is that the MSM wants this to disappear as quickly as possible, since it again highlights what an insensitive, incompetent buffoon Barry is…so they aren’t asking the obvious questions. We are left with confusing, ass-covering comments from the WH and Fed officials now, that make no sense.
AUINSC on April 28, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Thanks a lot. Now we’re back to the “heads will roll” theme.
Loxodonta on April 28, 2009 at 8:26 PM
I got the boot from LGF yesterday. I never posted just dinging down some of Charles crazy threads, especially the ones about Beck.
I also saw the mention about him having something on MM.
Knucklehead on April 28, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Just trying to pull in loose ends…like any good novelist.
coldwarrior on April 28, 2009 at 8:27 PM
I’m sorely disappointed.
I thought for sure Alla could have worked a pic of Palin into this post. I’ve been seeing one every evening for the last year.
Alas, the evening is still young.
Tinian on April 28, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Can anyone say…………
Seven Percent Solution on April 28, 2009 at 8:28 PM
No, they were worried about all of those whacked out right wing vets with hunting rifles.
Y-not on April 28, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Kind of long, but it is actually relevant since that is one of the factors in the creation of the virus.
:)
carbon_footprint on April 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM
I’m guessing this was a joyride for his handlers.
Passenger manifest: Axelrod, Soros, Ayers, Chavez, Emmanuel, Moore… The reason it was at such low altitude was the excess weight.
Chickyraptor on April 28, 2009 at 8:31 PM
So, if a thread from a few weeks ago can be cited…we can expect many many new such diseases from China in the near future?
coldwarrior on April 28, 2009 at 8:32 PM
What did you say? Loose ends?
Loxodonta on April 28, 2009 at 8:34 PM
I can’t wait to see what Iowahawk does with this incident.
Y-not on April 28, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Was this a symbolic flight of support??? A message to someone??? Did someone want a thrill ride?? Was there a special package on board that was given an honorary ride pass the spot where they “martyrs” fell at approximately the same time of day and during similar conditions???
Wild conspiracies?? I don’t know. Obama was the one that bowed!
JellyToast on April 28, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Clearly it should be called the 2009 Mexican Flu, or the 2009 Mexican Pandemic if it comes to that, or the 2009 Mexican Open Borders Death Extravaganza.
MB4 on April 28, 2009 at 8:35 PM
And the liberals say the Bush administration was full of secrets???? I don’t remember hearing of any department being threatened by sanctions, what ever the hell that means. What other “secrets” is Obama’s “children” keeping from us?
Rovin on April 28, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Sebelius Flu ?
William Amos on April 28, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Pig Porker Flu
thomasaur on April 28, 2009 at 8:37 PM
I vote for that one!
(MOBDE)
carbon_footprint on April 28, 2009 at 8:37 PM
LOL!
Maquis on April 28, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Verrrrrrry interesting, Sherlock. Read on, you may be onto something.
Barack Obama : HBO to produce movie on Barack Obama’s life and journey to white house
I heard about this last night, can’t remember where, but thanks for the tip.
Knucklehead on April 28, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Too bad or media is so corrupt and the Republican party so incompetent that we’ll never get the truth and nobody will be held accountable for this almost criminal act.
TheBigOldDog on April 28, 2009 at 8:38 PM
It’s Deathtastic!
Y-not on April 28, 2009 at 8:38 PM
I’m sure Obama was doing this as a favor to some of his foreign donors. Probably a few muslim sickos who wanted to get their jollies by closely reenacting 9/11 at the taxpayer’s expense.
pmanley on April 28, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Tijuana Pig Plague was suggest by James Lileks.
Chickyraptor on April 28, 2009 at 8:40 PM
The Alinskey method at work.
blue13326 on April 28, 2009 at 8:40 PM
We left our borders open and in-Flew-Enza
TheBigOldDog on April 28, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Evil person, you….but much appreciated, nonetheless. :-)
coldwarrior on April 28, 2009 at 8:43 PM
That would be really funny if it wasn’t probably true.
TheBigOldDog on April 28, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Why did Arlen Specter recently buy a prescription of air sickness pills.
Did Bin Laden get a ride for promising to surrender just before the next election cycle.
Was there a second jet hiding in the
grassycloudy knoll?Sorry JT, I just had to add a little—hope you don’t mind
Rovin on April 28, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Scareplane!
We have clearance, Clarence.
Roger, Roger.
What’s our vector, Victor?
Obama: Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.
Loxodonta on April 28, 2009 at 8:45 PM
If President Obama wants to ease the fears among conspiracy theorist nutballs who think he’s secretly an Islamic radical….somehow I don’t think low flying Air Force One flights over NYC is the right route to go.
watchmen on April 28, 2009 at 8:46 PM
There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat, there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to… The Outer Limits.
equanimous on April 28, 2009 at 8:47 PM
You were seriously banned just for dinging down threads?
TheBigOldDog on April 28, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Scareplane!
William Amos on April 28, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Y-not on April 28, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Haha, Snakes on a Plane II; Electric Bugaboo
carbon_footprint on April 28, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Just to show that I am really your good Amigo, I will use some of the drug money that I normally use to bribe your politicians to give the survivors of any Gringo who dies from this flu a copy of “Learning Spanish Made Easy” and a Mexican flag.
VinyFoxy on April 28, 2009 at 8:49 PM
The only thing that could have made this better is if they had waited until 9/11.
PrincipledPilgrim on April 28, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Well, they only missed April Fool’s Day by a couple of weeks.
Y-not on April 28, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Okay, I’ll bite. Why?
TheBigOldDog on April 28, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Inesway Uflay
Loxodonta on April 28, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Striker: My orders came through. My squadron ships out tomorrow. We’re bombing the storage depots at Daiquiri at 1800 hours. We’re coming in from the north, below their radar.
Elaine: When will you be back?
Striker: I can’t tell you that. It’s classified.
coldwarrior on April 28, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Yep, that’s all I did. Haven’t posted there since before the election. Just a couple dings and then locked out.
Knucklehead on April 28, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Telling how much they fear the wrath of the American People.
Essentially saying screw ‘em. They are laughing at us.
ronsfi on April 28, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Call it “training”, so nobody figures out all the VIP’s on the flight observing all the glory over which they now command.
“Mr. Soros. Would you care for another Shirley Temple?”
phreshone on April 28, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Maybe Obama just wanted to give Guantanamo prisoners a courtesy flyby of Lady Liberty as a taste of America before the big man-caused disaster. What better way to help them “understand us” better so they no longer feel a desire to hijack airliners once they’re released in the U.S.
HBO Films would have killed for that “sensitivity training” footage for their Obama movie.
econavenger on April 28, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Pure genius………..
Seven Percent Solution on April 28, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Well, that explains the White House need for secrecy right there. Thanks!
Loxodonta on April 28, 2009 at 8:56 PM
Bwahaha!
or should I say Ahahabway?
Y-not on April 28, 2009 at 8:56 PM
That’s not the first time I have heard that. I think that was one of the main reasons he created that ratings thing; so he could cull out those who refuse to echo his views.
carbon_footprint on April 28, 2009 at 8:56 PM
This woman is a hack moron, incompetent fool and the saddest part is, it will take a miracle to keep innocent people from paying with their lives for this fools reign.
TheBigOldDog on April 28, 2009 at 8:57 PM
I desperately want one of you to break into TOTUS and reprogram so that in the middle of a speech, Obama suddenly shifts into Pig Latin.
Just the look on his face!
PLEASE!
Loxodonta on April 28, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Super genius………..
Seven Percent Solution on April 28, 2009 at 8:58 PM
I can’t. I’m too focused on those great pecs of his.
swoooon…
Y-not on April 28, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Wouldn’t that be cherry if there were some gitmo club members on board!
JellyToast on April 28, 2009 at 9:04 PM
What sanctions?
diogenes on April 28, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Hopefully Jake Tapper will ask this question at tomorrow night’s presser.
carbon_footprint on April 28, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Only problem is that such a short flight wouldn’t give any pilot much stick time. It’s basically a milk run lasting a half hour each way.
Del Dolemonte on April 28, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Good luck with that.
Jake probably won’t even be allowed to ask a question.
Del Dolemonte on April 28, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Everything this administration does smells…even his plane smells….its embarrassing.
javamartini on April 28, 2009 at 9:13 PM
This is the way Obama works:
North Korea tests a missile that could hit Japan with nuclear weapons?
No sanctions. Obama requests a sternly worded message from the UN.
Obama wants to conduct a secret photo op of Air Force One flying through New York?
Threaten the most severe sanctions possible: No pork.
Loxodonta on April 28, 2009 at 9:14 PM
I played one of the videos that Allah posted this morning for a coworker who is quite liberal. Even he was outraged by this and said he though that Emmanuel or someone that high up had to have been behind it and that they should be fired. We are in NYC.
muggedbyreality on April 28, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Conspiracies can be fun.
JellyToast on April 28, 2009 at 9:15 PM
I’m suspecting that’s the reason for this memo report. Notice it points to the FAA as instituting the secrecy rule but only quotes Johnston (the Bush nexus Chuckles was making) on the citizen reaction he foresaw. The report goes on to say the memo contained the instruction for secrecy by not why. Was it the FAA’s idea? OR, did they issue it because they were told?
Release the memo.
KittyLowrey on April 28, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Tapper – “What sanctions would be imposed”
Gibbs – “Uh, uh, I’ll have to get back to you on that”
diogenes on April 28, 2009 at 9:18 PM
I tell you, this was a deliberate act of indimidation by the One to let us know we’re at his mercy, and the reason it was so secret was to guage the public’s reaction to the threat.
NNtrancer on April 28, 2009 at 9:20 PM
someone with superior Photo-Shop Fu should make a “Scared Force One” t-shirt pic….
sven10077 on April 28, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Yes it is.
JeffinSac on April 28, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Sven, it’s sort of been done.
carbon_footprint on April 28, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Nice although I wonder if his Billy Ayers’ head cock would be better…?
sven10077 on April 28, 2009 at 9:26 PM
As President, Bill Clinton staged 4 photo-ops on US Navy aircraft carriers. That’s 3 more than Chimpy did.
Del Dolemonte on April 28, 2009 at 9:33 PM
What was the flight path?? Wondering how similar it was to those other ones.
JellyToast on April 28, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Now Drudge is headlining with the total cost along with the memo.
carbon_footprint on April 28, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Obama will get another pass.
Carbon, you seriously don’t have a tv?
TXMomof3 on April 28, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Please bear with me. I am not half as intelligent as most of you here…
WTF costs so much to fly a jet around?!
I’m hearing these numbers thrown out, 20 thousand, 50, and on up.
What costs so much?
bridgetown on April 28, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I still ask,, what kind of photo op was it and who was it for? Will the images be released?? Is there be a list of passengers or special packages that were put on board??
Interesting how it happened at around the same time of day as when the first tower came down. Any sheiks or crown princes in town this week??
JellyToast on April 28, 2009 at 9:41 PM
In Obama’s defense, he was nowhere near Manhattan. He was giving some stupid speech somewhere else. This was the backup plane.
Which isn’t to say that I believe he knew nothing about it, or that anything else they’ve told us about it so far is true.
Jim Treacher on April 28, 2009 at 9:49 PM
JellyToast on April 28, 2009 at 9:41 PM
you’re so annoying, like a gnat.
We got your question the first time you posted it.
Try and get some sleep. lol
bridgetown on April 28, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Or even funnier: the truth.
Jim Treacher on April 28, 2009 at 9:52 PM
The Commando in Chief likes his martinis shaken, not stirred, and he likes them shaken in a way suitable for his eqo.
notagool on April 28, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Shaken like up in the champagne room?
coldwarrior on April 28, 2009 at 9:57 PM
What costs so much? A 747 can carry up to 57,000 gallons of fuel. At around $5 per gallon, which is a decent price for Jet A in New York right now, that’s $285,000 to fully fuel the plane. So $20,000-$50,000 just to buzz the Statue of Liberty is probably about right.
Rip Ford on April 28, 2009 at 9:58 PM
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