An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft assigned to the 29th Attack Squadron at Holloman AFB, N.M., crashed this week, becoming the second RPA mishap at the desert base since Oct. 22. The Reaper crashed on landing Wednesday evening after returning from a training mission, according to Holloman officials. There were no injuries or property damage in the incident. Back on Oct. 22, an MQ-1 Predator, assigned to Holloman’s 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, also crashed on landing after a routine training mission. These two accidents are under investigation. By our count, this is the third RPA crash at Holloman since the base’s RPA schoolhouse assumed operations in September 2009. (Holloman release) (See Predator Crashes at Holloman from the Daily Report archives.)
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.