MacDill helps reunite Spanish government, lost gold

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida -- Two Spanish air force C-130 Hercules aircraft departed MacDill Air Force Base on Feb. 24 after being loaded with approximately 17 metric tons, or approximately $500 million, of gold.

The two aircraft were dispatched by the Spanish government to retrieve 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 of the coast of Portugal with a remote-controlled underwater robot.

Airmen across MacDill helped ensure the gold was loaded safely onto the waiting aircraft. Once the aircraft take off, more than a half-million silver and gold coins went to the Spanish government.