2 Predators Damaged in 2 Days in Afghanistan

An MQ-1 Predator takes off in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Predator provides integrated and synchronized close-air combat operations, to include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 21, 2008 -- The landing gear of a MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system collapsed after the aircraft landed at about 6:45 a.m. Baghdad time Nov. 21 on the Joint Base Balad runway in Iraq.

The extent of the damage is unknown at this time.

The Predator is assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing from Joint Base Balad.

A board of officers has been convened to investigate the incident.

An MQ-1 Predator was damaged at approximately 10:15 a.m. Nov. 20 at a base in southern Afghanistan.

A safety investigation board will be convened to investigate the incident.

The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with a primary mission of conducting armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets.

(Report compiled from U.S. Air Force news releases.)

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