Obama AF1 First Flyby Photo Stirs Controversy

Toledo, Ohio(4/28/09) - Toledo Blaize The White House released the first photos today of the notorious Air Force One Fly over of New York Cities' Statue of Liberty Landmark. The Photos will only add to controversy. Additionally, In a memo, 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 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 flight by the VC-25, a modified Boeing Co. 747, and two F-16 fighter jets cost $328,835, Air Force spokeswoman Vicki Stein said.

The planes flew past the Statue of Liberty and the financial district near the World Trade Center site that was hit in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The aircraft were on a “photo mission,” Jim Peters, an FAA spokesman, said yesterday.

After reviewing the first photos, the Head of the Department of Homeland Security(DHS), Janet Neapolitano, released a memo suggesting that "Statues and other patriotic landmarks, may be someewhat disgruntled by the change of the current administration and are a potential terrorist threat". The NYPD have been warned by the administration to keep a close watch on the activities of the Statue of Liberty, said an unnamed source.