An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday during operations in Iraq. The UAV was based with the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Balad Air Base and was piloted from Creech AFB, Nev. Airmen and soldiers recovered the wreckage shortly after the crash and returned it to Balad. According to Central Command Air Forces, an interim safety investigation board president has been appointed and will conduct an investigation.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center wants a contractor to serve as integrator for all the software sustainment of current and future upgrades to the growing KC-46 Pegasus tanker fleet.