An MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft crashed in southeastern Iraq on Monday during a combat air patrol, announced Air Forces Central Command. The incident was “not due to enemy fire” states AFCENT’s release. Controllers lost “positive control” of the RPA during a sortie supporting anti-ISIS operations, and the aircraft impacted the ground at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time on June 22, without injuring civilians or damaging property, said AFCENT officials. The command will investigate the crash to determine the cause. Syrian government forces reportedly brought down an MQ-1 in Syrian airspace back in March. It was reportedly the first MQ-1 lost during anti-ISIS operations.
President Donald Trump on July 4 signed into law $150 billion in defense funds as part of the tax-and-spending package known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” after congressional Republicans approved the legislation in narrow, drawn-out votes earlier this week.
