Gulf Oil Spill
In this May 26, 2010 photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, crews conduct controlled burns near the Deepwater Horizon/BP incident site. The burns ar...
In this May 26, 2010 photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, crews conduct controlled burns near the Deepwater Horizon/BP incident site. The burns are part of an effort to reduce the amount of oil in the water and are part of the joint federal, state and BP effort to aid in preventing the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. (AP Photo/U.S Coast Guard, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ann Marie Gorden)
Gulf Oil Spill
A sign protesting the oil spill and BP is shown in Grand Isle, La., Thursday, May 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A sign protesting the oil spill and BP is shown in Grand Isle, La., Thursday, May 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
APTOPIX Obama
President Barack Obama looks through the door before the start of a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday May 2...
President Barack Obama looks through the door before the start of a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday May 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Obama
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha walk off Air Force One after arriving at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in...
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha walk off Air Force One after arriving at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, May 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Obama
Air Force personnel walk off the tarmac as Air Force One with President Barack Obama and his family aboard, prepares to take-off from Andrews Air For...
Air Force personnel walk off the tarmac as Air Force One with President Barack Obama and his family aboard, prepares to take-off from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Thursday, May 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Obama
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, along with daughters Malia, front, and Sasha walk off Air Force One after arriving at Chicago O'H...
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, along with daughters Malia, front, and Sasha walk off Air Force One after arriving at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, May 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
President Barack Obama is on the Gulf Coast, ready for a firsthand look at the devastating oil spill and a briefing on how to clean it up.
Obama touched down at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at midmorning local time.
He plans to tour a beach with Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen and visit with local officials. Obama's visit comes a day after a White House news conference where he asserted responsibility over the spill. The trip was designed to demonstrate his engagement.
Obama arrived 38 days into the disaster, as BP worked to plug the leak with heavy mud. That procedure is expected to continue for a couple of days before its outcome is clear.
