An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed in southern Iraq May 2, Air Forces Central said in a release that same day. The aircraft was launched from Ali Base, Iraq, and went down about 4 a.m. local time. Mechanical failure is suspected, but a board will be convened to investigate, AFCENT said. USAF continues to operate its Predators as much as possible in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and is working to place more of them in the fight at an accelerated rate. In April, the Air Force conducted 11 strikes in Iraq in which Predators fired their Hellfire missiles at insurgents, setting a new high monthly mark for the use of these UAVs in that role.
US Has Struck Over 1,000 Houthi Targets in Renewed Campaign
April 30, 2025
U.S. forces have struck more than 1,000 Houthi targets in Yemen since March 15, U.S. officials said, as the Trump administration’s military campaign against the militants reached the 45-day mark. Dubbed Operation Rough Rider, the campaign has drawn on U.S. Navy and Air Force warplanes and drones. The campaign shows…