John Wise prepares to approach the docks March 26 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The boat he is on is one of three 120-foot sea vessels owned by the Air Force. The other two can be seen at the docks in the distance. Mr. Wise is a 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron contractor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Byron Howle keeps the drone model steady with a rope as John Wise (right) directs the crane movements to lower it on to the drone cradle during a recovery demonstration March 26 in the waters off of Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The ship is one of three 120-foot boats owned by the Air Force. They are contracted through the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron to help recover sub-scale drones after they are shot down during live-fire exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Air Force's navy

The 120-foot Air Force-owned missile retriever cruises through the Gulf of Mexico back to the docks March 26 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The ship is one of a small fleet used to recover sub-scale drones such as the BQM-167 after live fire exercises over the gulf. The ships recover approximately 100 of the $500,000 drones each year. The contracted fleet is part of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Air Force's navy

Byron Howle directs the crane movements to pick up the model BQM-107 sub-scale drone during a recovery demonstration March 26 in the waters off of Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The ship, one of three 120-foot boats owned by the Air Force, is contracted through the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron to help recover sub-scale drones after they are shot down during live fire exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Air Force's navy

John Wise briefs a tour group on sub-scale drone recovery before his team performs a demonstration March 26 in the waters off of Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The ship used for recovery is one of only three 120-foot boats owned by the Air Force. They are contracted through the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron to help recover sub-scale drones after they are shot down during live fire exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Air Force's navy

Steve Shafer prepares his wetsuit before going into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to demonstrate the sub-scale drone recovery process March 26 in the waters off of Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The ship, one of three 120-foot boats owned by the Air Force, is used to help recover sub-scale drones after they are shot down during live fire exercises. The ships are part of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Air Force ships recover $500,000 drones

Published March 28, 2008

John Wise prepares to approach the docks March 26 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The boat he is on is one of three 120-foot sea vessels owned by the Air Force. The other two can be seen at the docks in the distance. Mr. Wise is a 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron contractor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Air Force's navy

Air Force's navy

Air Force's navy

Air Force's navy

Featured News