Highway 98 Reopens Published July 18, 2013 By Staff Reports 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Base officials have secured the crash site and reopened U.S. Highway 98 from the base to Mexico Beach, Fla. The closure was a result of the unmanned Air Force QF-4 full scale aerial target drone that crashed on takeoff the morning of July 17. "This closure was done strictly as a precautionary measure due to a small self-destruct charge carried on board the target," said Col. Mark O 'Laughlin, 325th Fighter Wing vice commander. "We understand that the closure of Highway 98 was a huge inconvenience to our local community and we appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we put the safety of first responders and populace as the top priority."