An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed on Thursday in central Iraq at approximately 7:50 a.m. Baghdad time, Air Forces Central said in a release. The crash was not due to hostile fire, and there were no reports of civilian injuries or damage to civilian property at the crash site, AFCENT said. A board is being convened to investigate the incident. As of June 30, the Air Force had lost 48 Predators supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq since 9/11.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.