Yesterday the Air Force took advantage of a beautiful Spring day over New York City and conducted a "Photo Op" mission over the city. Good idea, but not a great idea!
There's an old saying among the military planning community. "Prior proper planning prevents poor performance." The Air Force executed the mission flawlessly. The VC-25, commonly referred to as Air Force One (only when the President is on board), with it's F-16 in trail flew gracefully over the city; The Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty providing a magnificent backdrop.
Only one small problem. HAVE WE ALL FORGOTTEN 9/11! No, I was not there that day but I can only imagine the memories and fears the scene of a giant 747 flying at low altitude over the city with a fighter jet in chase must have invoked.
There is no doubt in my mind that this mission was meticulously planned in advance by the 89th Airlift Wing (They are the AF unit responsible for Presidential Airlift). Why didn't someone involved in the mission planning recognize that this might cause fear and panic among the citizens of NYC? Where was common sense? I don't enjoy criticising my former Service, but this was just poor planning and a break down in leadership. Someone in the chain-of-command should have asked the question and applied a little common sense thinking to this process.
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