MacDill helps reunite Spanish government, lost gold

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Coleman
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --  Two Spanish Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft left here Feb. 24 after being loaded with approximately 17 metric tons, or approximately $500 million, of Spanish gold.

The two aircraft were dispatched by the Spanish Government to retrieve Spanish coins that were lost at sea in the 19th century.

The gold was discovered by the Odyssey Marine Exploration treasure hunting corporation in 2007. Odyssey recovered the treasure from the Atlantic Ocean floor after finding the wreck off the coast of Portugal with a remote-controlled underwater robot.

Airmen across MacDill helped ensure the gold was loaded safely onto the waiting aircraft. More than a half-million silver and gold coins will be returned to the Spanish government.