US Air Force Predator Crashes in Iraq

A MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft prepares to take off in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Through the use of advanced capabilities, the predator provides integrated and synchronized close-air combat operations, to include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sabrina Johnson.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 4, 2008 -- An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system crashed at about 7:30 a.m. Baghdad time Dec. 4 on the Joint Base Balad runway.

The extent of the damage to the aircraft assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is unknown at this time.

The Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, unmanned aircraft system. Its primary mission is interdiction and conducting armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets.

A board of officers convened to investigate the incident.

(From a U.S. Air Force news release.)

Related: 2 Predators Damaged in 2 Days in Afghanistan

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