White House official quits for presidential plane´s flyover in New York

Source: Xinhua | 05-09-2009 07:46

WASHINGTON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Director of the White House Military Office Louis Caldera resigned on Friday for a controversial presidential plane flyover in New York City, the White House said.

On April 27, Caldera arranged a flyover photo-op of a plane from the presidential fleet over the Statue of Liberty and other parts of lower Manhattan of New York City, sparking fears among residents about another possible 9/11 style terror attack.

A statement from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said U.S. President Barack Obama has accepted the resignation, which will be effective as of May 22.

It also said the president has asked his Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to jointly review the organizational structure of the White House Military Office, "to make recommendations to him to ensure that such an incident never occurs again."

In his resignation letter released by the White House, Caldera said the aftermath of the incident made it impossible for him to stay in office.

He also apologized for distracting Obama's work by arousing the controversy.

On April 27, Caldera arranged a flyover photo-op of a plane from the presidential fleet over the Statue of Liberty and other parts of lower Manhattan of New York City, sparking fears among residents about another possible 9/11 style terror attack.

The image of a low-flying plane accompanied by an F-16 fighter jet sent some New Yorkers into the streets and into a panic -- reminding them of the tragic 9/11 attacks on the city.