Reaper Crashes in Syria

A US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper crashed in northern Syria on Tuesday. The remotely piloted aircraft crashed during a combat mission after positive control was lost, but it was not brought down by enemy fire, according to an Air Forces Central Command release. Coalition aircraft destroyed the RPA before it fell into enemy hands. There were no reports of civilian injuries or damage to civilian property. An investigation board will determine the cause of the crash. Between Aug. 8, 2014, and late June, coalition MQ-1 Predators and MQ-9 Reapers flew more than 9,100 sorties in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, employing nearly 3,400 precision weapons in over 1,800 strikes, an OIR spokesman told Air Force Magazine by email.