Joe Hettel AD

Machinist Mate

Aviation Machinist Mate (AD)

Usually, AD's are assigned to billets concerned with maintaining turbo-jet aircraft engines and associated equipment or to any one of several types of aircraft maintenance activities. AD's maintain, service, adjust and replace aircraft engines and accessories, as well as perform the duties of flight engineers.

The First and the only Airdale aboard the Norris Joe Hettel ADJ3 '65-'67
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This picture shows Drone 1280 inside the hanger bay. The drone was rolled out on wheels and also firmly attached to the tracks which can be seen on the flight deck. This enabled the drone to be moved during heavy weather.
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Mr. Todd & Talcott flying drone from flight deck. After Drone is up & on the way to the target, the flying was done by Mr. Fagaley, in C.I.C
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Minor on left gets ready to refuel on of the Drones. Bruce D'Avolio stands by to help. The idea of the Drone was to give the ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) Destroyer a 30 miles advantage in launching her torpedoes. In other words, in theory, we launched before the Sub.
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Talcott is now releasing the coaxial cables and hold down apparatus of the drone. You didn't want to stand up of course, or you may get a haircut, or worse yet, a headcut.
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The Drone is started and turning up
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Lift Off
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The drone is now airborn. Beneath the drone are two large floatation devices. they were supposed to keep the drone from sinking, but usually ripped off on crashing-- we lost no drones, however, many were lost, usually from lost of radio signal.
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