Video of Air Force Airplane "Photo-Op" That Caused Panic in New York City and Jersey City

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4/27/09 -- The Defense Department conducted the photo opportunity, which involved two F-16s escorting the plane, a Boeing 747, over Battery Park City and up the Hudson River.

The large plane is the military version of the 747.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A photo shoot involving an Air Force aircraft and two fighter jets led to hundreds of frightened calls from residents and workers in Lower Manhattan Monday.

The Defense Department conducted the photo opportunity, which involved two F-16s escorting the plane, a Boeing 747, over Battery Park City and up the Hudson River.

"In coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Presidential Airlift Group conducted a aerial photo mission in the New York City area on 27 Apr 2009. This mission, involving the VC-25 and an F-16, was conducted in conjunction with normally scheduled continuation training for assigned aircrew members. This mission was coordinated for the Upper New York Bay, south of the Holland Tunnel and in the Newark Bay north of the Staten Island Expressway between the hours of 1000L and 1030L."

The maneuver, part of a photo op, was coordinated in advance with the FAA and state and local officials.

The Defense Department "coordinated the flight with FAA," Peters said, "and we made the notifications to the city of New York, as well as the 311 and 911 centers, the NYPD, New Jersey State Police and various operations centers in the New York area."

City officials were notified, but not the general public.

Many frightened residents and workers in Lower Manhattan called authorities asking for information, and some buildings even self evacuated.

The planes flew over Lower Manhattan and in the vicinity of the Statue of Liberty during the 30-minute flight, between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

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