According to a Washington Post report, Air Force officials said last week that the move to encrypt video feeds from MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted vehicles will take until at least 2014. An earlier Wall Street Journal report sparked the ongoing debate over the implications for current operations, but the Post noted, too, that Adm. Mike Mullen, Joint Chiefs Chairman, said Friday that there are no reports of operational damage from the vulnerability. The insurgents have been able to see what the RPVs see, but they have not gained control of the vehicles.
KC-135 Crashes In Iraq While Supporting Iran Ops
March 12, 2026
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran crashed during a refueling incident involving two aircraft over Iraq March 12, U.S. Central Command announced. The aircraft were not shot down, CENTCOM added.