A statement by the U.S. Air Force apologized Thursday for a flyer that advertised a shooting event on the holiday that honors slain civil rights leader and icon Martin Luther King Jr.
The provacative flyer featured the words "FUN SHOOT" in large capital letters underneath King's name and beside an image of the man and advertised a skeet shooting event at Robins Air Force Base Trap and Skeet Club in Georgia.
The flyer was removed Thursday.
"We’re deeply sorry for any offense or harm caused by our insensitivity and failure to provide appropriate oversight of our marketing process. The flyer does not represent the values, opinions or views of the Department of Defense, the Air Force or Robins Air Force Base leadership and its employees," the statement said.
Robins Air Force base spokesman Roland Leach told Military Times that the base realized "several days ago" that the advertisement was inappropriate and took immediate steps to remove it.
An official at the military base's Outdoor Recreation office told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the flyer was created by a marketing team.
“We didn’t make the flyer,” said Leroy Minus, the official. “We squared it away. We got rid of the picture.”
Here’s the full statement by the Air Force:
"We’re deeply sorry for any offense or harm caused by our insensitivity and failure to provide appropriate oversight of our marketing process. The flyer does not represent the values, opinions or views of the Department of Defense, the Air Force or Robins Air Force Base leadership and its employees.
"We realized the inappropriateness of the advertisement several days ago and immediately began removing the flyer. There was no malice of forethought in the flyer’s creation and it was never the base’s intention to portray Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in a negative light. It was an honest mistake, to which we’ve personally counseled the parties involved and will provide them with remedial training and appropriate oversight to prevent this sort of inattention from occurring in the future.
"Again, we offer our heartfelt apology to those affected by our thoughtlessness. We hold the legacy of Dr. King in the highest regard."
