A catastrophic electrical failure caused an MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted vehicle to crash in April during a mission over Afghanistan, Air Combat Command officials announced Tuesday. According to the findings of ACC’s accident investigation board, a short circuit most likely caused the failure, which led to the MQ-1 losing contact with its ground control station during the April 20 mission. The aircraft, whose wreckage was recovered the next day, was carrying one Hellfire missile when it went down in eastern Afghanistan. The value of the lost aircraft and its components is approximately $4.6 million, ACC said. (Langley release) (AIB report)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

