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.
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
