Flying drones

The 174th Fighter Wing of the New York Air National Guard traded in its fleet of F-16s for unmanned Reaper drones two years ago. The control station above is used for training.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the 174the Fighter Wing undergo maintenance training at the base.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Air National Guard members learn how to do maintenance on the Reaper drone.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A group of Syracuse residents gathers regularly to protest the drone missions. “The whole notion that the battlefield is no longer limited to Afghanistan and Pakistan and that rockets are being launched from right here concerns me,” one protester said.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the Green party, including Ursula Rozum, who is running for office, meet to discuss the upcoming election. One of their concerns is the drones being flown out of the Air National Guard at Hancock Field, Syracuse.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)