Our Name, Our Legacy: The Story of Strategic Air Captures
Col. Joseph H.R. Girard, USAF Bombardier/Navigator
Sgt. Rolan M. Rister, USAF AN/ASG-21 Fire Control Mechanic
SSgt. Thomas F. Taylor, USAF
Welcome to Strategic Air Captures, your trusted partner for premier aerial photography and videography in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. While we’re passionate about delivering stunning visuals and precise aerial data, our name itself holds a deeper significance, rooted in a proud family history of service to our nation.
Sgt. Rolan M. Rister, USAF AN/ASG-21 Fire Control Mechanic
A Legacy of Service
“Strategic Air Captures” is a deliberate and heartfelt homage to the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command (SAC). This esteemed command was home to not one, but three pivotal figures in my life: my grandfather, my father, and my father-in-law. Each served with honor and distinction within SAC, embodying a profound commitment to duty, precision, and unwavering professionalism.
Their legacy of service is the bedrock upon which Strategic Air Captures is built. We chose our name to honor their dedication and to reflect our own commitment to those same enduring values. The discipline, meticulous attention to detail, and mission-focused approach that defined the Strategic Air Command are the principles that guide us in every project we undertake for you.
A Tradition of Excellence
At Strategic Air Captures, we don’t just fly drones; we uphold a tradition. We are dedicated to providing our clients with exceptional service, the security of full insurance coverage, reliable results, and a professional experience that mirrors the integrity of the generations before us. We believe in capturing your most important perspectives with the same level of commitment that our family dedicated to serving our country.
Col. Joseph H.R. Girard, USAF Bombardier/Navigator
Jason J. Rister, FAA Part 107 Certificated Drone Pilot
Founder of Strategic Air Captures
Meet Your Pilot: Jason J. Rister
Founder & FAA-Certified Remote Pilot
“From a young age, my dream was to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandfather—to serve in the United States Air Force and take to the skies as an aviator. I grew up admiring their dedication to the Strategic Air Command, and I fully intended to carry that torch forward.
However, as it often does, life and circumstances took my career in a different direction. Yet, the passion for aviation and the desire to serve never faded.
Today, Strategic Air Captures is the realization of that lifelong dream. While my cockpit looks different than the one I envisioned years ago, the principles remain the same. I founded this company to bring precision, discipline, and a higher standard of service to the drone industry.
Having made Northeast Ohio my home for nearly 25 years, I am proud to serve this community not just as a business owner, but as a neighbor. I treat every property, search mission, and inspection with the integrity and respect that my family’s legacy demands.
Thank you for considering Strategic Air Captures. We look forward to bringing our tradition of excellence to your next project.”
Qualifications & Safety Standards:
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FAA Part 107 Certified: Fully licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate commercially in the National Airspace System.
- Commercially Insured: We carry commercial general liability insurance, providing peace of mind for every mission, from residential real estate to complex infrastructure inspections. Certificate of Insurance (COI) available upon request for commercial clients.
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Safety-First Mindset: Every flight begins with a pre-mission safety check, airspace authorization, and risk assessment to ensure the protection of people and property.
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Professional Training: 2023 Graduate of Pilot Institute’s comprehensive Part 107 commercial drone pilot program.
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Industry Member: Proud member of the Drone Service Providers Alliance (DSPA), dedicated to safe and professional drone operations.
When you hire Strategic Air Captures, you are hiring a pilot who is living his passion and is deeply committed to the safety and success of your project.
