White House military chief Caldera quits

WASHINGTON - The head of the White House Military Office, who approved a low flight over New York, resigned Friday, saying he can no longer do his job effectively.
Louis Calderas areas of responsibility included Air Force One, any one of several military planes that get that title when they carry the president, and other aircraft assigned to the White House.
On April 27, one of the planes, escorted by two military jets, flew low over NY City, leading some people to fear the city was under a terrorist attack.
Caldera, a former secretary of the Army, sent a resignation letter to President Barack Obama saying the flap had also become a distraction for the President.
Senator John McCain Friday released a letter from Defence Secretary Robert Gates saying the flight, basically a photo opportunity, might cost the taxpayers as much as $357,000. Gates said the flight was also a training mission, and acknowledged that the public impact of the flight was not considered.
We deeply regret the anxiety and alarm that resulted from this mission, he said.