Obama Official Loses Job Over Air Force One Flyover

A White House official has resigned after taking responsibility for last month’s Air Force One flight over lower Manhattan. The flight was approved for a promotional photo.

Louis Caldera, who served as the secretary of the Army in the Clinton administration, apologized for the “distraction” that approving the flyover caused. He said in a brief letter to President Obama on Friday that it “has made it impossible for me to effectively lead the White House Military Office.” 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. – from NYTimes