Predator Loss Explained: A failed ignition module was the primary cause of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crash July 30, 2007, at Balad AB, Iraq, according to the findings of the accident investigation board that Air Combat Command released March 27. The Predator, assigned to the 432d Wing at Creech AFB, Nev., went down 92 meters short of the Balad runway and was severely damaged with losses valued at about $2.2 million, plus some damage to airfield lights.
Members of Congress from both parties expressed frustration and dismay over the abrupt and still-unexplained firing last month of Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh from his dual role as head of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency.